Linksys EtherFast Instant Broadband BEFW11S4 User Manual page 30

DNS - The domain name system (DNS) is the way that Internet domain name
are located and translated into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. A domain name
is a meaningful and easy-to-remember "handle" for an Internet address.
DSSS - Also known as "Direct Sequence Spred Spectrum", this is a variety of
radio transmission methods that continuously change frequencies or signal pat-
terns. Direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), which is used in CDMA, mul-
tiplies the data bits by a very fast pseudo-random bit pattern (PN sequence) that
"spreads" the data into a large coded stream that takes the full bandwidth of the
channel
Dynamic IP Address - An IP address that is automatically assigned to a client
station in a TCP/IP network, typically by a DHCP server. Network devices that
serve multiple users, such as servers and printers, are usually assigned static IP
addresses.
ESS - More than one BSS in a network.
FHSS - Also known as "Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum". Frequency
hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) continuously changes the center frequency of
a conventional carrier several times per second according to a pseudo-random
set of channels, while chirp spread spectrum changes the carrier frequency.
Because a fixed frequency is not used, illegal monitoring of spread spectrum
signals is extremely difficult, if not downright impossible depending on the
particular method.
Firewall - A firewall is a set of related programs, located at a network gateway
server, that protects the resources of a network from users from other networks.
(The term also implies the security policy that is used with the programs.) An
enterprise with an intranet that allows its workers access to the wider Internet
installs a firewall to prevent outsiders from accessing its own private data
resources and for controlling what outside resources to which its own users
have access.
Basically, a firewall, working closely with a router program, examines each
network packet to determine whether to forward it toward its destination.
Firmware - Programming that is inserted into programmable read-only mem-
ory (programmable read-only memory), thus becoming a permanent part of a
computing device.
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Instant Broadband TM Series
EtherFast ® Wireless Access Point + Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch
IEEE - The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The IEEE
describes itself as "the world's largest technical professional society -- promot-
ing the development and application of electrotechnology and allied sciences
for the benefit of humanity, the advancement of the profession, and the well-
being of our members."
The IEEE fosters the development of standards that often become national and
international standards. The organization publishes a number of journals, has
many local chapters, and several large societies in special areas, such as the
IEEE Computer Society.
Infrastructure - An infrastructure network is a wireless network or other small
network in which the wireless network devices are made a part of the network
through the Access Point which connects them to the rest of the network.
IP Address - In the most widely installed level of the Internet Protocol
(Internet Protocol) today, an IP address is a 32-binary digit number that identi-
fies each sender or receiver of information that is sent in packet across the
Internet. When you request an HTML page or send e-mail, the Internet
Protocol part of TCP/IP includes your IP address in the message (actually, in
each of the packets if more than one is required) and sends it to the IP address
that is obtained by looking up the domain name in the Uniform Resource
Locator you requested or in the e-mail address you're sending a note to. At the
other end, the recipient can see the IP address of the Web page requestor or the
e-mail sender and can respond by sending another message using the IP address
it received.
IPCONIFG - A utility that provides for querying, defining and managing IP
addresses within a network. A commonly used utility, under Windows NT and
2000, for configuring networks with static IP addresses.
IPSec - IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) is a developing standard for securi-
ty at the network or packet processing layer of network communication. A big
advantage of IPSec is that security arrangements can be handled without
requiring changes to individual user computers.
ISP - An ISP (Internet service provider) is a company that provides individuals
and companies access to the Internet and other related services such as Web site
building and virtual hosting.
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