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Access Point
An Access Point is a device on the wireless network that receives and retransmits data. It allows computers with wireless network
adapters to be connected, typically, to an Ethernet network.
Client
A client is a computer on a network.
Domain Name System (or Service) (DNS)
DNS is an Internet service that translates domain names into
IP
addresses. A DNS server keeps a database of host computers,
their respective domain names, and IP addresses. When a domain name is requested, the DNS server uses this table to send the
user to the proper IP address.
The DNS system is really its own network. If one DNS server doesn't know how to translate a particular domain name, it asks
another one, and so on, until the correct IP address is returned.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
DHCP is the process of automatically configuring the
TCP/IP
settings for every computer on a network.
Encryption
Encryption is a common way of implementing security and protecting information. Encryption applies a set of instructions, called an
algorithm, to information. The instructions combine the plain or clear text of information with a sequence of hexadecimal numbers,
called an encryption key.
Before transmitting information over the airwaves, the wireless client or Access Point encrypts or scrambles the information. The
Access Point or wireless client receiving the information uses the same key to decrypt or unscramble the information. The
information is only readable to WLAN devices that have the correct encryption key. The longer the key is, the stronger the
encryption. All wireless clients and Access Points in a WLAN must use the same encryption method and key. An 802.11-compliant
wireless network has Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) technologies for wireless security.
Ethernet
Ethernet is the most widely used local area networking technology. It is an industry-wide standard originally developed by Xerox
and formalized in 1980 by DEC, Intel, and Xerox. Ethernet networks transmit data at 10/100 Mbps using a specified
protocol.
Ethernet Address (MAC Address)
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