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802.11a An IEEE standard for wireless local area networks operating in the 5 GHz band. Most products have data rates of up to 54 Mbps and must support 6, 12 and 24 Mbps. 802.11b An IEEE standard for direct sequence wireless local area networks operating between 2.400 GHz and 2.4835 GHz. Most products have data rates of up to 11 Mbps. Like other 802.11 standards, 802.11b uses the Ethernet protocol and CSMA/CA (carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance) for path sharing. 802.11g An IEEE standard for wireless local area networks operating between 2.400 GHz and 2.4835 GHz. Most products have data rates of up to 54 Mbps and can fall back to 11 Mbps, making 802.11b and 802.11g devices compatible within a single network. 802.1x RADIUS Wireless LAN security implementation meant to increase security in user authentication by using RADIUS Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), and LDAP for port-based authentication between an operating system and the network access device.
Access Point (A/P) Connects users to a local area network such as a WLAN and/or a fixed wire network. Mobile users can link with an access point within a defined physical area. As the user moves beyond the range of one access point, they are automatically handed over to the next one. Antenna A device used to transmit and receive data from a wireless networking bridge device to another antenna in the wireless network. Each antenna is always connected to a bridge, which provides the physical connection to the local area network.
Bridge Connects a local area network to another local area network through radio waves. The bridged network design can consist of point-to-point, point to multi-point, or as a high-powered A/P and Bridge.
Clients (Wireless Networking) A wireless networking access point uses client cards to send and receive data with mobile users. Laptop computers typically use a PC Card in the PCMCIA slot, while IBM-compatible PC's use USB clients to connect to the USB port on their computer.
dBi The decibel units used to calculate the gain of an antenna. The change in power is referenced against an isotropic radiator, which is a theoretical ideal transmitter that produces a perfect electromagnetic field output. The sphere would extend in all directions with equal intensity, and at 100% efficiency, in 3-dimensions, similar to the rays of light produced by the sun. dBm A dBm measurement is a measurement of absolute power based on the reference of 1 milliwatt (1 mW).
Fresnel Zone (pronounced 'fre-nel') The area around the line-of-sight between WLAN bridge antennas that radio waves spread out into after they leave the antenna. This area must be clear or the strength of the signal will weaken.
Gigabit Ethernet 1000Mbps Ethernet. It currently is implemented in full-duplex mode only. Gain The measurement used to indicate the frequency and range for a WLAN bridge antenna. As the number increases in a WLAN bridge antenna, the coverage area becomes narrower and the distance of the coverage area becomes longer.
Omni-directional Antenna A wireless bridge networking device used to achieve extended distances between WLAN locations. Typically used at the central location in a point to multi-point application.
Point-to-Point Wireless Bridge Networking A cost-effective means of connecting remote locations to alleviate the need for expensive T1 or Fiber installations. PC Card Client Plugs into the PCMCIA slot on a laptop computer providing a connection to an Access Point in a Wireless Network. Point to Multi-point Wireless Bridge Networking A cost-effective means of connecting multiple remote locations back to a central location to alleviate the need for expensive T1 or Fiber installations. Power over Ethernet (PoE) A method of delivering DC power to Wireless Access Point or Bridge devices through the category 5 Ethernet cabling. Typically used in installations where AC power is not available to achieve optimum positioning of the devices.
RADIUS Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS) is an authentication and accounting system used by many Internet Service Providers (ISPs). When users dial in to the ISP they must enter a username and password. This information is passed to a RADIUS server, which checks that the information is correct, and then authorizes access to the ISP system. Router A device that is used to connect user to a fixed wire local area network through a UTP or Fiber connection.
Sector-directional Antenna A wireless bridge networking device used to achieve extended distances between WLAN locations. Typically used for point-to-point locations or at each remote location in a point to multi-point application.
USB Client Plugs into the USB port on an IBM-compatible computer providing a connection to an Access Point in a Wireless Network.
WEP Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is an optional IEEE802.11 function that offers frame transmission privacy similar to a wired network. Secret shared encryption keys are generated that both source and destination stations can use to alter frame bits. This provides additional security against unauthorized access to the wireless network. WDS Wireless Distribution Systems (WDS) allow network administrators to wirelessly connect Access Points and provide access to the wired infrastructure for locations where cabling is not possible or costly to implement. WPA Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is designed to be available as a firmware upgrade for legacy hardware already running WEP, by adding a layer of security on top of WEP to fix all the known weaknesses in WEP. It is also designed to be compatible with the full 802.11i standard or RSN. Wireless Networking Clients A wireless networking access point uses client cards to send and receive data with mobile users. Laptop computers typically use a PC Card in the PCMCIA slot, while IBM-compatible PC's use USB clients to connect to the USB port on their computer. Wireless LAN (WLAN) A wireless LAN uses a wireless connection, such as a Wireless Access Point and Clients or a Wireless Bridge, to connect mobile users to a local area network.
Yagi-directional Antenna A wireless bridge networking device used to achieve extended distances between WLAN locations. Typically used for point-to-point locations or at each remote location in a point to multi-point application where maximum distances must be achieved. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
