Appendix B Glossary - Advantech WLAN-9100 Manual

Appendix B Glossary

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 off-loaded onto a
local system.
Base Station - In mobile telecommunications, a base station is the central radio
transmitter/receiver that maintains communications with the mobile radio telephone sets
within range. In cellular and personal communications applications, each cell or microcell
has its own base station; each base station in turn is interconnected with other cells' base.
Bridge - An internetworking function that incorporates the lowest 2 layers of the OSI network
protocol model.
BSS - Stands for "Basic Service Set," an Access Point and all the wireless clients that
associated with it.
ESS - Stands for "Extended Service Set." More than one BSS can be configured as an
Extended Service Set. Mobile users can roam between BSS in an ESS.
Ethernet - A popular local area data communications network, originally developed by
Xerox Corp., which accepts transmission from computers and terminals. Ethernet operates
on 10 Mbps baseband transmission over shielded coaxial cable or over shielded twisted pair
telephone wire.
Infrastructure - An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure
configuration.
PCMCIA - Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, which develops
standards for PC cards, formerly known as PCMCIA cards, are available in three "types"
which are about the same length and width as credit cards, but range in thickness from 3.3
mm (Type I) to 5.0 mm (Type II) to 10.5 mm (Type III). These cards can be used for many
functions, including memory storage, landline modems and wireless modems.
Roaming - A wireless clients around an ESS and get the continuous connection to the
Infrastructure network.
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