USRobotics Instant802 APSDK - Manual (Page 305)

Professional Access Point
Administrator Guide
Glossary - 305
802.11k
IEEE 802.11k is a developing IEEE standard for wireless networks ( WLAN s) that helps auto-manage
network Channel selection, client Roaming , and Access Point utilization. 802.11k capable networks will
automatically load balance network traffic across APs to improve network performance and prevent under
or over-utilization of any one access point. 802.11k will eventually complement the
802.11e quality of
service ( QoS ) standard by ensuring QoS for multimedia over a wireless link.
802.1Q
IEEE 802.1Q is the IEEE standard for Virtual Local Area Networks ( VLAN s) specific to wireless
technologies. (See http://www.ieee802.org/1/pages/802.1Q.html .)
The standard addresses the problem of how to break large networks into smaller parts to prevent
broadcast and multicast data traffic from consuming more bandwidth than is necessary. 802.11Q also
provides for better security between segments of internal networks. The 802.1Q specification provides a
standard method for inserting VLAN membership information into Ethernet frames.
A
Access Point
An access point acts as a communication hub for the devices on a WLAN , providing a connection or bridge
between wireless and wired network devices. It supports a Wireless Networking Framework called
Infrastructure Mode .
When one access point is connected to wired network and supports a set of wireless stations, it is referred
to as a basic service set (
BSS ). An extended service set ( ESS ) is created by combining two or more BSSs.
Ad-hoc Mode
Ad-hoc mode is a Wireless Networking Framework in which stations communicate directly with each other.
It is useful for quickly establishing a network in situations where formal infrastructure is not required.
Ad-hoc mode is also referred to as peer-to-peer mode or an independent basic service set ( IBSS ).
AES
The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a symmetric 128-bit block data encryption technique
developed to replace DES encryption. AES works at multiple network layers simultaneously.
Further information is available on the NIST Web site .
B
Basic Rate Set
The basic rate set defines the transmission rates that are mandatory for any station wanting to join this
wireless network. All stations must be able to receive data at the rates listed in this set.