Buffalo WLA-G54C User Manual page 20

19
Specifi cations
NIC (Network Interface Card): An expansion card con-
nected to a computer so the computer can be connected
to a network.
Packet: A block of data that is transferred as a single unit,
also called a frame or a block.
Packet Filtering: Discarding unwanted network traffi c
based on its originating address or its type.
PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect): A bus that is
connected directly to the CPU.
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Interna-
tional Association) Card: Removable module that adds
features to a portable computer.
Ping (Packet Internet Groper): An Internet utility used to
determine whether a particular IP address is online.
Plug and Play: Hardware that, once installed ("plugged
in"), can immediately be used ("played"), as opposed to
hardware that requires manual confi guration.
PoE (Power over Ethernet): A mechanism to send DC
power to a device using a CAT5 Ethernet cable.
PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet): A speci-
fi cation for connecting users on an Ethernet line to the
Internet through a common broadband medium.
RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service):
A server that issues authentication key to clients.
Repeater Hub: A device that collects, strengthens and
transmits information to all connected devices, allowing
the network to be extended to accommodate additional
workstations.
RC4: The encryption algorithm that is used in WEP.
RJ-45 connector: An 8-pin connector used between a
twisted pair cable and a data transmission device.
Router: Device that can connect individual LANs and
remote sites to a server.
Roaming: The ability to use a wireless device while mov-
ing from one access point to another without losing the
connection.
Script: A macro or batch fi le containing instructions and
used by a computer to perform a task.
Server: Any computer that makes fi les or peripheral de-
vices available to users of the network and has a resident
Network OS.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): The protocol used
to defi ne and deliver electronic mail (E-mail) from one
location to another.
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol: An ap-
plication layer protocol that outlines the formal structure
for communication among network devices.
Static IP Address: A permanent IP address is assigned to
a node in a TCP/IP network. Also known as global IP.
STP (Shielded Twisted Pair): Twisted Pair cable wrapped
in a metal sheath to provide extra protection from exter-
nal interfering signals.
Subnet Mask: An eight-byte address divided into 4 parts
separated by periods.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Proto-
col: Protocol used by computers when communicating
across the Internet or Intranet.
TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol): Simple form of FTP
(File Transfer Protocol), which Uses UDP (User Datagram
Protocol), rather than TCP/IP for data transport and
provides no security features.
TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol): An encryp-
tion method replacing WEP. TKIP uses random IV and
frequent key exchanges.
Topology: The shape of a LAN (Local Area Network) or
other communications system.
Twisted Pair: Cable that comprises 2 or more pair of
insulated wires twisted together.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol): A communication
method (protocol) that offers a limited amount of service
when messages are exchanged between computers in a
network. UDP is used as an alternative to TCP/IP.
Uplink: Link to the next level up in a communication
hierarchy.
UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable: Two or more un-
shielded wires twisted together to form a cable.
WAN (Wide Area Network): A networking system
covering a wide geographical area.
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy): An encryption method
based on 64 or 128-bit algorithm.
Web Browser: A software program that allows viewing
of web pages.
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity): An organization that tests and
assures interoperability among WLAN devices.
Wire Speed: The maximum speed at which a given
packet can be transferred using Ethernet and Fast Ether-
net standard specifi cations.
WLAN (Wireless LAN): A LAN topology using wireless
devices.
VPN (Virtual Private Network): A security method to
connect remote LAN users to a corporate LAN system.