3Com 8760 User Guide - Page 7

TERMINOLOGY Access Point-An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks. Ad Hoc-An ad hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with wireless adapters, connected as an independent wireless LAN. Backbone-The core infrastructure of a network. The portion of the network that transports information from one central location to another central location where it is unloaded onto a local system. Base Station-In mobile telecommunications, a base station is the central radio transmitter/receiver that maintains communications with the mobile radiotelephone sets within its range. In cellular and personal communications applications, each cell or micro-cell has its own base station; each base station in turn is interconnected with other cells' bases. BSS-Basic Service Set. It is an access point and all the LAN PCs that are associated with it. CSMA/CA-Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance. EAP-Extensible Authentication Protocol, which provides a generalized framework for several different authentication methods. ESS-Extended Service Set. More than one BSS is configured to become an ESS. LAN mobile users can roam between different BSSs in an ESS (ESS-ID, SSID). Ethernet-A popular local area data communications network, which accepts transmission from computers and terminals. Infrastructure-An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an infrastructure configuration. RADIUS-Remote Access Dial-In User Server is an authentication method used in conjunction with EAP for 802.1x authentication and session based keys. Roaming-A wireless LAN mobile user moves around an ESS and maintains a continuous connection to the infrastructure network. RTS Threshold-Transmitters contending for the medium may not be aware of each other (they are "hidden nodes"). The RTS/CTS mechanism can solve this problem. If the packet size is smaller than the preset RTS Threshold size, the RTS/CTS mechanism will not be enabled. 7