| A | B |
|---|
| 802.1 1a | Wireless networking standard that operates in the 5-GHz band with a theoretical maximum throughput of 54 Mbps. |
| 802.1 1b | Wireless networking standard that operates in the 2.4-GHz band with a theoretical maximum throughput of 11 Mbps. |
| 802.1 1g | Wireless networking standard that operates in the 2.4-GHz band with a theoretical maximum throughput of 54 Mbps and is backward compatible with 802.1 1b. |
| 802.1 1i | locks down wireless networks; also known as Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) |
| 802.1 1n | Wireless networking standard that can operate in both the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands and uses MIMO to achieve a theoretical maximum throughput of 100+ Mbps |
| ad hoc mode | Decentralized wireless network mode otherwise known as peer-to-peer mode, where each wireless node is in meshed contact with every other node. |
| Bluetooth | Wireless technology designed to create small wireless networks preconfigured to do specific jobs, but not meant to replace full-function networks or Wi-Fi. |
| carrier sense multiple access/ collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) | Networking scheme used by wireless devices to transmit data while avoiding data collisions, which wireless nodes have difficulty detecting |
| cellular wireless network | Networks that enable cell phones, PDAs, and other mobile devices to connect to the internet. |
| dipole antennae | Standard straight-wire antennae that provide the most omnidirectional function |
| gain | Ratio of increase of radio frequency output provided by an antenna, measured in decibels (dB). |
| IEEE 802.11 | Wireless Ethernet standard more commonly known as Wi-Fi. |
| Infrared Data Association (IrDA) | Protocol that enables communication through infrared devices, with speeds of up to 4 Mbps. |
| infrastructure mode | Wireless networking mode that uses one or more WAPs to connect the wireless network nodes to a wired network segment. |
| MAC address filtering | Method of limiting wireless network access based on the physical, hard-wired address of the units’ wireless NIC. |
| Multiple in/multiple out (MIMO) | Feature or 802.1 1n devices that enables the simultaneous connection of up to four antennae, allowing for increased throughput |
| personal area network (PAN) | Small wireless network created with Bluetooth technology and intended to link PCs and other peripheral devices. |
| service set identifier (SSID) | Parameter used to define a wireless network; otherwise known as the network name. |
| Wi-Fi | Common name for the IEEE 802.11 wireless Ethernet standard |
| Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) | Wireless security protocol that uses encryption key integrity-checking and EAP and is designed to improve on WEP’s weaknesses |
| Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) | Wireless security protocol, also known as IEEE 802.11i. Uses the Advanced Encryption standard and replaces WPA. |
| Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) | Wireless security protocol that uses a standard 40-bit encryption to scramble data packets. Does not provide complete end-to-end encryption and is vulnerable to attack. |
| wireless access point (WAP) | Device that centrally connects wireless network nodes |
