Wireless Networking Glossary

Word/phrase

Definition

Access point

Wired controller that receives and transmits data to wireless adapters in computers

Bluetooth

Short range radio system

Direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)

Devices with this type of capability can communicate by splitting each byte of data into parts and sending them simultaneously on different frequencies

Encryption

translation of data into a secret code

Encryption Key

A password or table needed to decipher encoded data

Frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FSSS)

Devices with this type of capability can send short bursts of data and change frequencies and then send another burst of data.

Home RF

Home Radio Frequency

IEEE 802.11

Institute of Electrical and Electonics Engineers Wireless-Ethernet specification

IrDA

Infrared Data Association

Point to point

Each computer can communicate directly with any other computer on the network (HSW)

Shared wireless access protocol (SWAP)

Hybrid standard that includes 6 voice channels as well as 802.11 data channels.

Stream cipher

RC4 encryption algorithm

WECA

Wireless Ethernet Compatability Alliance

Wi-Fi

Wireless fidelity; meets WECA standards for IEEE 802.11

Wi-Fi Alliance

nonprofit international association formed in 1999 to certify interoperability of wireless Local Area Network products based on IEEE 802.11 specification

Wired equivalent privacy  (WEP)

Standard on which encryption is based

Wireless Local area network (WLAN)

A type of network that uses high-frequency radio waves rather than wires to communicate between computers.

 

References

 

(2004). Webopedia. retrieved Mar 31, 2004, from What is WLAN? Web site: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/WLAN.html.

 

(2004). Webopedia. retrieved Mar 31, 2004, from What is Encryption? Web site: http://www.pcwebopedia.com/TERM/e/encryption.html

 

(2004). Webopedia. retrieved Mar 31, 2004, from What is a Key? Web site: http://www.pcwebopedia.com/TERM/K/key.html

 

(2004). What is wi-fi?. retrieved Mar 31, 2004, from Wi-Fi Alliance Web site: http://www.wi-fi.org/OpenSection/index.asp.

 

Derfler, F., & L. Freed. (2003). How networks work. 6th ed. Indianapolis, IN: Que.

 

Tyson, J. (2003). How wireless networking works. retrieved Sept 29, 2003, from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm/printable.