Common wireless networking terms
Wireless network is any kind of network made of computers that are wireless, and is usually linked with a communications network where the connections between devices are installed without any wires or cables. These networks are in general put together using a special system, like for example radio waves. There are many terms you have to use when working with a wireless network, and the most common are:
SSID
An SSID (Service Set Identifier) is what we call a wireless LAN. If you have more than one device on your wireless network, you have to use the same SSID for all of them. Otherwise, they won’t be able to “speak” to each other. It can be configured manually, by inserting the SSID into the client’s device, or it can be automatic, by not applying the SSID. You can use a public SSID that is configured on the AP (Access-Point) and transmit to all wireless computers in range. Some of the newest wirelesses APs stop the automatic SSID transmission characteristic for security matters.
WiFi
It stands for wireless fidelity, and is a wireless technology you can find all over the planet. WiFi refers to any device that utilizes the 802.11 standard technologies, which was created by the IEEE and first appeared in 1997. Although it’s used by many kind of devices, we normally associate the term to laptop computers.
Ad-hoc
Ad-hoc is a way for wireless computers or any other kind of devices, to directly “speak” with each other. Working using the ad-hoc system allows other wireless elements to learn and “talk” in peer-to-peer mode without using access. To make an ad-hoc network work, the wireless adapters should be set up in an ad-hoc approach. They also have to use the same SSID and an equal channel number.
Access Point
In a WLAN, which is simply a wireless network, an access point is a device that is capable of transmitting and receiving data. It connects different computers within the reachability range of a wireless network. It also can be used as an interconnection between the wireless network and a traditional wire network. Each of the access points can serve several persons inside a specific area; as the users move from one access point to the next, they are moved between these devices transparently. You can use only one AP on a wireless LAN. The number of access point you need, depends on the users you have and the size of the network.
Hot Spot
For people with laptops or wireless devices, a hot spot is a WLAN site that supplies Internet connectivity and also a VPN connection from a specific location. If you are travelling with a wireless device with WiFi capabilities, you can search for a local hot spot, get in touch with it, and connect through its wireless network to browse the Internet. More and more, public spaces, such as hotels, airports and libraries, provide wireless access for clients.
Roaming
This is the same sort of roaming that cell phones make use of. You can move from one part to another and use your mobile continuously. You don’t notice any differences as you go from one covered area to a remote one. For laptops and other WiFi devices, we use a sort of roaming called Nomadic roaming. The connection re-connects when a mobile person arrives at a precise location. APs have changed. Someone can use their WLAN at home and later go to a hotspot and use their wireless network.
802.11a
802.11a is a wireless network standard. It’s one of the wireless standards we have available along with other wireless technology. 802.11a networks support a bandwidth of 54 Mbps. They also transmit radio signals in the frequency range above 5 gigahertz. This technology has an increased cost compared to other wireless systems, which you are explained below.
802.11b
This standard is commonly used for high speed networks. 802.11b uses a 2.4 GHz radio frequency, 11 Mbps bandwidth and is the most cost effective and easy to use compared to the other standards available. This system typically includes a router that is capable to send radio signals using 802.11b to other wireless devices and computers. To make computers send radio signals to the wireless router, it needs to have a WiFi card with the capability to transmit and receive 802.11b signals.
802.11g
802.11g is a technology for wireless networks that works over rather short distances at 54 Mbps. Wireless networks working with the 802.11g specification, function at a frequency 2.4 GHz, the same us 802.11b. Computers using 802.11g can also work at speeds of 11 Mbps, which makes it compatible with 802.11b inside the same network. If you want to upgrade an 802.11b AP to 802.11g compliance, generally it only takes the action of upgrading the firmware.
