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Chapter 8
Wireless Networking
94
Computer Networking
Undergraduate 1
05/16/2016
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Term
1G
 Definition
The first generation of mobile phone services, popular in the 1970s and 1980s, which were entirely analog.
Term
2.4-GHz band
 Definition
The range of radio frequencies from 2.4 to 2.4835 GHz. The 2.4-GHz band, which allows for 11 unlicensed channels, is used by WLANs that follow the popular 802.11b and 802.11g standards. However, it is also used for cordless telephone and other transmissions, making the 2.4-GHz band more susceptible to interference than the 5-GHz band.
Term
2G
 Definition
Second-generation mobile phone service, popular in the 1990s. 2G was the first standard to use digital transmission, and as such, it paved the way for texting and media downloads on mobile devices.
Term
3G
 Definition
Third-generation mobile phone service, released in the early 2000s, that specifies throughputs of 384 Kbps and packet switching for data (but not voice) communications.
Term
4G
 Definition
Fourth-generation mobile phone service that is characterized by an all-IP, packet-switched network for both data and voice transmission. 4G standards, released in 2008, also specify throughputs of 100 Mbps for fast-moving mobile clients, such as those in cars, and 1 Gbps for slow-moving mobile clients, such as pedestrians.
Term
5-GHz band
 Definition
A range of frequencies that comprises four frequency bands: 5.1 GHz, 5.3 GHz, 5.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz. It consists of 24 unlicensed bands, each 20-MHz wide. The 5-GHz band is used by WLANs that follow the 802.11a and 802.11n standards.
Term
802.11a
 Definition
The IEEE standard for a wireless networking technique that uses multiple frequency bands in the 5-GHz frequency range and provides a theoretical maximum throughput of 54 Mbps. 802.11a's high throughput, compared with 802.11b, is attributable to its use of higher frequencies, its unique method of encoding data, and more available bandwidth.
Term
802.11b
 Definition
The IEEE standard for a wireless networking technique that uses DSSS (direct-sequence spread spectrum) signaling in the 2.4–2.4835-GHz frequency range (also called the 2.4-GHz band). 802.11b separates the 2.4-GHz band into 14 overlapping 22-MHz channels and provides a theoretical maximum of 11-Mbps throughput.
Term
802.11g
 Definition
The IEEE standard for a wireless networking technique designed to be compatible with 802.11b while using different encoding techniques that allow it to reach a theoretical maximum capacity of 54 Mbps. 802.11g, like 802.11b, uses the 2.4-GHz frequency band.
Term
802.11n
 Definition
The IEEE standard for a wireless networking technique that may issue signals in the 2.4- or 5-GHz band and can achieve actual data throughput between 65 and 600 Mbps. It accomplishes this through several means, including MIMO, channel bonding, and frame aggregation. 802.11n is backward compatible with 802.11a, b, and g.
Term
802.16
 Definition
An IEEE standard for wireless MANs. 802.16 networks may use frequencies between 2 and 66 GHz. Their antennas may operate in a line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight manner and cover 50 kilometers (or approximately 30 miles). 802.16 connections can achieve a maximum throughput of 70 Mbps, though actual throughput diminishes as the distance between transceivers increases. Several 802.16 standards exist. Collectively, they are known as WiMAX.
Term
802.16e
 Definition
Currently, the most widely implemented version of WiMAX. With 802.16e, IEEE improved the mobility and QoS characteristics of the technology, making it better suited to VoIP and mobile phone users. 802.16e is capable of 70-Mbps throughput, but because bandwidth is shared and service providers cap data rates, most users actually experience 1–4 Mbps throughput.
Term
802.16m
 Definition
Also known as WiMAX 2, the IEEE standard for a version of 802.16 that achieves theoretical throughputs of 330 Mbps with lower latency and better quality for VoIP applications than previous WiMAX versions. 802.16m has been approved as a true 4G technology. Manufacturers expect it to reach throughputs of 1 Gbps in the near future.
Term
access point
 Definition
A device used on wireless LANs that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from multiple nodes and retransmits them to the rest of the network segment. Access points can connect a group of nodes with a network or two networks with each other. They may use directional or omnidirectional antennas
Term
active scanning
 Definition
A method used by wireless stations to detect the presence of an access point. In active scanning, the station issues a probe to each channel in its frequency range and waits for the access point to respond.
Term
ad hoc
 Definition
A type of wireless LAN in which stations communicate directly with each other (rather than using an access point).
Term
AP
 Definition
A device used on wireless LANs that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from multiple nodes and retransmits them to the rest of the network segment. Access points can connect a group of nodes with a network or two networks with each other. They may use directional or omnidirectional antennas
Term
association
 Definition
In the context of wireless networking, the communication that occurs between a station and an access point to enable the station to connect to the network via that access point.
Term
backhaul
 Definition
An intermediate connection between subscriber networks and a telecommunications carrier's network.
Term
base station
 Definition
A device used on wireless LANs that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from multiple nodes and retransmits them to the rest of the network segment. Access points can connect a group of nodes with a network or two networks with each other. They may use directional or omnidirectional antennas.
Term
basic service set
 Definition
In IEEE terminology, a group of stations that share an access point.
Term
basic service set identifier
 Definition
In IEEE terminology, the identifier for a BSS (basic service set).
Term
beacon frame
 Definition
In the context of wireless networking, a frame issued by an access point to alert other nodes of its existence.
Term
bounce
 Definition
In the context of wireless, the phenomenon that occurs when an electromagnetic wave encounters an obstacle and bounces back toward its source. A wireless signal will bounce off objects whose dimensions are large compared with the signal's average wavelength.
Term
BSS (basic service set)
 Definition
In IEEE terminology, a group of stations that share an access point.
Term
BSSID (basic service set identifier)
 Definition
In IEEE terminology, the identifier for a BSS (basic service set).
Term
Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance
 Definition
A network access method used on 802.11 wireless networks. In CSMA/CA, before a node begins to send data it checks the medium. If it detects no transmission activity, it waits a brief, random amount of time, and then sends its transmission. If the node does detect activity, it waits a brief period of time before checking the channel again. CSMA/CA does not eliminate, but minimizes, the potential for collisions.
Term
cell
 Definition
In a cellular network, an area of coverage serviced by an antenna and base station.
Term
channel bonding
 Definition
In the context of 802.11n wireless technology, the combination of two 20-MHz frequency bands to create one 40-MHz frequency band that can carry more than twice the amount of data that a single 20-MHz band could. It's recommended for use only in the 5-GHz range because this band has more available channels and suffers less interference than the 2.4-GHz band.
Term
CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance)
 Definition
A network access method used on 802.11 wireless networks. In CSMA/CA, before a node begins to send data it checks the medium. If it detects no transmission activity, it waits a brief, random amount of time, and then sends its transmission. If the node does detect activity, it waits a brief period of time before checking the channel again. CSMA/CA does not eliminate, but minimizes, the potential for collisions.
Term
diffraction
 Definition
In the context of wireless signal propagation, the phenomenon that occurs when an electromagnetic wave encounters an obstruction and splits into secondary waves. The secondary waves continue to propagate in the direction in which they were split. If you could see wireless signals being diffracted, they would appear to be bending around the obstacle. Objects with sharp edges—including the corners of walls and desks—cause diffraction.
Term
direct-sequence spread spectrum
 Definition
A transmission technique in which a signal's bits are distributed over an entire frequency band at once. Each bit is coded so that the receiver can reassemble the original signal upon receiving the bits.
Term
directional antenna
 Definition
A type of antenna that issues wireless signals along a single direction, or path.
Term
downlink
 Definition
In the context of wireless transmission, the connection between a carrier's antenna and a client's transceiver—for example, a smartphone.
Term
DSSS (direct-sequence spread spectrum)
 Definition
A transmission technique in which a signal's bits are distributed over an entire frequency band at once. Each bit is coded so that the receiver can reassemble the original signal upon receiving the bits.
Term
ESS (extended service set)
 Definition
A group of access points and associated stations (or basic service sets) connected to the same LAN.
Term
ESSID (extended service set identifier)
 Definition
A special identifier shared by BSSs that belong to the same ESS.
Term
extended service set
 Definition
A group of access points and associated stations (or basic service sets) connected to the same LAN.
Term
extended service set identifier
 Definition
A special identifier shared by BSSs that belong to the same ESS.
Term
fading
 Definition
A variation in a wireless signal's strength as a result of some of the electromagnetic energy being scattered, reflected, or diffracted after being issued by the transmitter.
Term
FHSS (frequency hopping spread spectrum)
 Definition
A wireless signaling technique in which a signal jumps between several different frequencies within a band in a synchronization pattern known to the channel's receiver and transmitter.
Term
fixed
 Definition
A type of wireless system in which the locations of the transmitter and receiver are static. In a fixed connection, the transmitting antenna focuses its energy directly toward the receiving antenna. This results in a point-to-point link.
Term
frequency hopping spread spectrum
 Definition
A wireless signaling technique in which a signal jumps between several different frequencies within a band in a synchronization pattern known to the channel's receiver and transmitter.
Term
GEO (geosynchronous earth orbit)
 Definition
The term used to refer to a satellite that maintains a constant distance from a point on the equator at every point in its orbit. Geosynchronous orbit satellites are the type used to provide satellite Internet access.
Term
geosynchronous earth orbit
 Definition
The term used to refer to a satellite that maintains a constant distance from a point on the equator at every point in its orbit. Geosynchronous orbit satellites are the type used to provide satellite Internet access.
Term
handoff
 Definition
The transition that occurs when a cellular network client moves from one antenna's coverage area to another.
Term
High Speed Packet Access Plus
 Definition
A 3G mobile wireless technology released in 2008 that uses MIMO and sophisticated encoding techniques to achieve a maximum 84-Mbps downlink throughput and 11-Mbps uplink throughput in its current release. Advances in more efficiently using limited channels and incorporating more antennas in MIMO promise to push the maximum downlink data rate to 336 Mbps.
Term
HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access Plus)
 Definition
A 3G mobile wireless technology released in 2008 that uses MIMO and sophisticated encoding techniques to achieve a maximum 84-Mbps downlink throughput and 11-Mbps uplink throughput in its current release. Advances in more efficiently using limited channels and incorporating more antennas in MIMO promise to push the maximum downlink data rate to 336 Mbps.
Term
infrastructure WLAN
 Definition
A type of WLAN in which stations communicate with an access point and not directly with each other.
Term
iwconfig
 Definition
A command-line utility for viewing and setting wireless interface parameters on Linux and UNIX workstations.
Term
line-of-sight
 Definition
A wireless signal or path that travels directly in a straight line from its transmitter to its intended receiver. This type of propagation uses the least amount of energy and results in the reception of the clearest possible signal.
Term
Long Term Evolution
 Definition
A 4G cellular network technology that achieves downlink data rates of up to 1 Gbps and uplink rates up to 500 Mbps. AT&T and Verizon have adopted LTE for their high-speed wireless data networks.
Term
LOS (line-of-sight)
 Definition
A wireless signal or path that travels directly in a straight line from its transmitter to its intended receiver. This type of propagation uses the least amount of energy and results in the reception of the clearest possible signal.
Term
LTE (Long Term Evolution)
 Definition
A 4G cellular network technology that achieves downlink data rates of up to 1 Gbps and uplink rates up to 500 Mbps. AT&T and Verizon have adopted LTE for their high-speed wireless data networks.
Term
MIMO (multiple input-multiple output)
 Definition
In the context of 802.11n wireless networking, the ability for access points to issue multiple signals to stations, thereby multiplying the signal's strength and increasing their range and data-carrying capacity. Because the signals follow multipath propagation, they must be phase-adjusted when they reach their destination.
Term
mobile
 Definition
A type of wireless system in which the receiver can be located anywhere within the transmitter's range. This allows the receiver to roam from one place to another while continuing to pick up its signal.
Term
mobile switching center
 Definition
A carrier's facility to which multiple cellular base stations connect. An MSC might be located inside a telephone company's central office or it might stand alone and connect to the central office via fiber-optic cabling or a microwave link. Equipment at an MSC manages mobile clients, monitoring their location and usage patterns, and switches cellular calls. It also assigns each mobile client an IP address.
Term
mobile telecommunications switching office
 Definition
A carrier's facility to which multiple cellular base stations connect. An MSC might be located inside a telephone company's central office or it might stand alone and connect to the central office via fiber-optic cabling or a microwave link. Equipment at an MSC manages mobile clients, monitoring their location and usage patterns, and switches cellular calls. It also assigns each mobile client an IP address.
Term
MSC (mobile switching center)
 Definition
A carrier's facility to which multiple cellular base stations connect. An MSC might be located inside a telephone company's central office or it might stand alone and connect to the central office via fiber-optic cabling or a microwave link. Equipment at an MSC manages mobile clients, monitoring their location and usage patterns, and switches cellular calls. It also assigns each mobile client an IP address.
Term
MTSO (mobile telecommunications switching office)
 Definition
A carrier's facility to which multiple cellular base stations connect. An MSC might be located inside a telephone company's central office or it might stand alone and connect to the central office via fiber-optic cabling or a microwave link. Equipment at an MSC manages mobile clients, monitoring their location and usage patterns, and switches cellular calls. It also assigns each mobile client an IP address.
Term
multipath
 Definition
The characteristic of wireless signals that follow a number of different paths to their destination (for example, because of reflection, diffraction, and scattering).
Term
multiple input-multiple output
 Definition
In the context of 802.11n wireless networking, the ability for access points to issue multiple signals to stations, thereby multiplying the signal's strength and increasing their range and data-carrying capacity. Because the signals follow multipath propagation, they must be phase-adjusted when they reach their destination.
Term
narrowband
 Definition
A type of wireless transmission in which signals travel over a single frequency or within a specified frequency range.
Term
omnidirectional antenna
 Definition
A type of antenna that issues and receives wireless signals with equal strength and clarity in all directions. This type of antenna is used when many different receivers must be able to pick up the signal, or when the receiver's location is highly mobile.
Term
passive scanning
 Definition
In the context of wireless networking, the process in which a station listens to several channels within a frequency range for a beacon issued by an access point.
Term
probe
 Definition
In 802.11 wireless networking, a type of frame issued by a station during active scanning to find nearby access points.
Term
radiation pattern
 Definition
The relative strength over a three-dimensional area of all the electromagnetic energy an antenna sends or receives.
Term
range
 Definition
The geographical area in which signals issued from an antenna or wireless system can be consistently and accurately received.
Term
reassociation
 Definition
In the context of wireless networking, the process of a station establishing a connection (or associating) with a different access point.
Term
reflection
 Definition
In the context of wireless, the phenomenon that occurs when an electromagnetic wave encounters an obstacle and bounces back toward its source. A wireless signal will bounce off objects whose dimensions are large compared with the signal's average wavelength.
Term
Request to Send/Clear to Send
 Definition
An exchange in which a wireless station requests the exclusive right to communicate with an access point and the access point confirms that it has granted that request.
Term
roaming
 Definition
In wireless networking, the process that describes a station moving between BSSs without losing connectivity.
Term
RTS/CTS (Request to Send/Clear to Send)
 Definition
An exchange in which a wireless station requests the exclusive right to communicate with an access point and the access point confirms that it has granted that request.
Term
scanning
 Definition
The process a wireless station undergoes to find an access point. See also active scanning and passive scanning.
Term
scattering
 Definition
The diffusion of a wireless signal that results from hitting an object that has smaller dimensions compared with the signal's wavelength. Scattering is also related to the roughness of the surface a wireless signal encounters. The rougher the surface, the more likely a signal is to scatter when it hits that surface.
Term
service set identifier
 Definition
A unique character string used to identify an access point on an 802.11 network.
Term
site survey
 Definition
In the context of wireless networking, an assessment of client requirements, facility characteristics, and coverage areas to determine an access point arrangement that will ensure reliable wireless connectivity within a given area.
Term
spread spectrum
 Definition
A type of wireless transmission in which lower-level signals are distributed over several frequencies simultaneously. Spread-spectrum transmission is more secure than narrowband.
Term
SSID (service set identifier)
 Definition
A unique character string used to identify an access point on an 802.11 network.
Term
station
 Definition
An end node on a network; used most often in the context of wireless networks.
Term
transponder
 Definition
The equipment on a satellite that receives an uplinked signal from Earth, amplifies the signal, modifies its frequency, then retransmits it (in a downlink) to an antenna on Earth.
Term
uplink
 Definition
In the context of wireless transmission, the connection between a client's transceiver and a carrier's antenna.
Term
WAP (wireless access point)
 Definition
A device used on wireless LANs that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from multiple nodes and retransmits them to the rest of the network segment. Access points can connect a group of nodes with a network or two networks with each other. They may use directional or omnidirectional antennas.
Term
Wi-Fi
 Definition
802.11

The IEEE standard for a wireless networking technique that uses multiple frequency bands in the 5-GHz frequency range and provides a theoretical maximum throughput of 54 Mbps. 802.11a's high throughput, compared with 802.11b, is attributable to its use of higher frequencies, its unique method of encoding data, and more available bandwidth.
Term
WiMAX
 Definition
802.16

An IEEE standard for wireless MANs. 802.16 networks may use frequencies between 2 and 66 GHz. Their antennas may operate in a line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight manner and cover 50 kilometers (or approximately 30 miles). 802.16 connections can achieve a maximum throughput of 70 Mbps, though actual throughput diminishes as the distance between transceivers increases. Several 802.16 standards exist. Collectively, they are known as WiMAX.
Term
WiMAX 2
 Definition
802.16m

Also known as WiMAX 2, the IEEE standard for a version of 802.16 that achieves theoretical throughputs of 330 Mbps with lower latency and better quality for VoIP applications than previous WiMAX versions. 802.16m has been approved as a true 4G technology. Manufacturers expect it to reach throughputs of 1 Gbps in the near future.
Term
wireless
 Definition
A type of signal made of electromagnetic energy that travels through the air.
Term
wireless access point
 Definition
A device used on wireless LANs that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from multiple nodes and retransmits them to the rest of the network segment. Access points can connect a group of nodes with a network or two networks with each other. They may use directional or omnidirectional antennas.
Term
wireless gateway
 Definition
An access point that provides routing functions and is used as a gateway.
Term
wireless LAN
 Definition
A LAN that uses wireless connections for some or all of its transmissions.
Term
wireless router
 Definition
An access point that provides routing functions.
Term
wireless spectrum
 Definition
A continuum of electromagnetic waves used for data and voice communication. The wireless spectrum (as defined by the FCC, which controls its use) spans frequencies between 9 KHz and 300 GHz. Each type of wireless service can be associated with one area of the wireless spectrum.
Term
WLAN (wireless LAN)
 Definition
A LAN that uses wireless connections for some or all of its transmissions.
Term
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)
 Definition
802.16a

An IEEE standard for wireless MANs. 802.16 networks may use frequencies between 2 and 66 GHz. Their antennas may operate in a line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight manner and cover 50 kilometers (or approximately 30 miles). 802.16 connections can achieve a maximum throughput of 70 Mbps, though actual throughput diminishes as the distance between transceivers increases. Several 802.16 standards exist. Collectively, they are known as WiMAX.
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