5. Glossary
1. IEEE 802.11 Standard
The IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN standards subcommittee, which is formulating a standard for
the industry.
2. Access Point
An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks together.
3. Ad Hoc
An Ad Hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with a WLAN adapter, connected as
an independent wireless LAN
Ad Hoc wireless LAN is applicable at a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.
4. BSSID
A specific Ad Hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in a BSS must be
configured with the same BSSID.
5. DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol - a method in which IP addresses are assigned by
server dynamically to clients on the network. DHCP is used for Dynamic IP Addressing and
requires a dedicated DHCP server on the network.
6. Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
This is the method the wireless cards use to transmit data over the frequency spectrum. The
other method is frequency hopping. Direct sequence spreads the data over one frequency
range (channel) while frequency hopping jumps from one narrow frequency band to another
many times per second.
7. ESSID
An Infrastructure configuration could also support roaming capability for mobile workers.
More than one BSS can be configured as an Extended Service Set (ESS). Users within an ESS
could roam freely between BSSs while served as a continuous connection to the network
wireless stations and Access Points within an ESS must be configured with the same ESSID
and the same radio channel.
8. Ethernet
Ethernet is a 10/100Mbps network that runs over dedicated home/office wiring. Users must be
wired to the network at all times to gain access.
9. Gateway
A gateway is a hardware and software device that connects two dissimilar systems, such as a
LAN and a mainframe. In Internet terminology, a gateway is another name for a router.
Generally a gateway is used as a funnel for all traffic to the Internet
10. IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Infrastructure. An integrated wireless and
wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. Infrastructure is applicable to enterprise
