Linksys WBP54G User Manual

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Appendix D: Glossary

802.11b - A wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an 
operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

802.11g - A wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating 
frequency of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.

Access Point - A device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a 
wired network. Also used to expand the range of a wireless network.

Adapter - A device that adds network functionality to your PC.

Ad-hoc - A group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of 
an access point.

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) - A method that uses up to 256-bit key encryption to secure data.

Backbone - The part of a network that connects most of the systems and networks together, and handles the 
most data.

Bandwidth - The transmission capacity of a given device or network.

Bit - A binary digit.

CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance) - A method of data transfer that is used to prevent 
data collisions.

CTS (Clear To Send) - A signal sent by a wireless device, signifying that it is ready to receive data.

Default Gateway - A device that forwards Internet traffic from your local area network.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - A networking protocol that allows administrators to assign 
temporary IP addresses to network computers by “leasing” an IP address to a user for a limited amount of time, 
instead of assigning permanent IP addresses.

DNS (Domain Name Server) - The IP address of your ISP's server, which translates the names of websites into IP 
addresses.

Domain - A specific name for a network of computers.