Adaptec 2012500 User Guide - Page 40

Glossary Glossary Access Point An Access Point (AP) is a wired controller that sends data to the wireless NICs installed in your network computers, and receives data back from them. An AP is often connected to the network computer that has Internet access, or is directly connected to a DSL or cable modem. The AP then allows other stations on your WLAN to access the Internet. Access Point Name The Access Point Name displayed on the Basic Set-up page of the Wireless Access Point Utility identifies the Wireless AP on a wired network. It has no security function, but makes it easier to identify your Wireless AP. Ad-hoc mode See operating mode. channel Your Wireless device communicates with other devices on your WLAN over a specific channel. The channel is similar to a radio channel-any Wireless device linking to your Wireless device must be "tuned" to the same channel. In Infrastructure mode, the channel is selected by the Access Point or Router. It automatically selects a channel from the range available for your geographical location (11 channels are available for use in the United States) and communicates that channel to your Wireless device. In Ad Hoc mode only, you can set the channel yourself. device driver A device driver is a software program that lets an adapter (such as a PC card, PCI card, or USB adapter) or any other device (such as a printer or CD-ROM drive) communicate with the computer that it's connected to. Ethernet Ethernet is a popular networking system that uses NICs and cables (and often, other networking devices such as bridges and hubs) to create a LAN. 33