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Glossary: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Wireless USB Adapter User's Guide
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Local Area Network (LAN):
A LAN is a network in one location. The network lets users at that location share files, printers and other
services.
Network Adapter:
A network adapter is a device expansion card that provides the physical connection between a computer and
the network. There are many types of adapters. They include PC cards for laptops, a card that fits into a slot
on your computer, just like you install a sound card or modem card, and embedded cards, embedded USB
adapters, USB adapters, and USB desktop adapters. Some newer computers have a network adapter already
built into the system. PC cards or cards that fit into a slot in the desktop are sometimes referred to as network
interface cards, or NICs.
Network Name (SSID):
Access points are grouped together by an identifier called an ESSID. The ESSID is also referred to as a Net
ID. This identifier is a combination of any letters or numbers that are appropriate for the network environment.
ESSID is specifically for access points. When you talk about peer-to-peer networks, you cannot use the term
ESSID.
Service Set Identifier (SSID) is more generic and is a 32-character name that uniquely identifies all the
computers and equipments that make up a wireless network. A type of SSID is ESSID. Another type of SSID
is Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID). The BSSID is the MAC address of a wireless adapter or access point.
Port:
A port is a connector on a networking device, used to attach the network cable. Hubs and switches have
numerous ports that connect to computers on the network.
Protocol:
Protocol refers to a set of rules for sending and receiving information on a network. The rules determine the
format of the data that is transmitted and other aspects of networking, such as how errors are detected and
corrected. The protocol driver in each computer is software that adheres to these rules when sending and
receiving information. These drivers are also often called protocols.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP):
TCP/IP refers to the protocol that computers use to communicate over the Internet. TCP determines how a
computer breaks up data into small units, called "packets," to be sent to another computer and how the
receiving computer reassembles the packets into a single file. IP determines how the packets are routed
across the Internet. See Internet Protocol.
Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN):
file://C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\dsarired\My%20Documents\projects%20200...
30-9-2003
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