- 5G (5th Generation): a wireless communication standard intended to provide faster data speeds, lower latency, and more capacity for mobile networks.
- Ad-hoc network: a wireless network that allows devices to connect directly to each other without using an access point.
- AES (Advanced Encryption Standard): a widely used method for encrypting data that is considered very secure.
- AP (Access Point): a device that connects wireless devices to a wired network using Wi-Fi or other wireless standards.
- Bandwidth: the amount of data that can be transmitted over a network connection in a given amount of time.
- Beacon frame: a type of wireless management frame used to announce the presence of a wireless network and synchronize clients with the access point.
- Bluetooth: a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices.
- Captive Portal: A web page that a user must view and interact with before being granted access to a network.
- CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access): a digital mobile network used by some wireless service providers in the United States.
- Cellular: a wireless communication technology that uses radio waves to communicate with cell towers to provide wireless voice and data services to mobile devices.
- Channel: a specific frequency or group of frequencies that are used to transmit data on a wireless network.
- CTS (Clear to Send): a signal sent by an access point or other wireless device in response to an RTS, indicating that the device is ready to receive data.
- DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection): a feature of some wireless devices that allows them to automatically switch to a different frequency if the one they are using is found to be in use by radar systems.
- DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): a protocol used to automatically assign IP addresses and other network configurations to devices on a network.
- DNS (Domain Name System): a system that translates domain names (such as www.solveforce.com) into IP addresses, making it easier for users to access websites and other online resources.
- EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol): a framework that defines several methods for wireless clients to authenticate with an access point.
- EAP-TLS (EAP-Transport Layer Security): a secure method of wireless authentication that uses digital certificates to authenticate clients and encrypt data.
- EAP-TTLS (EAP-Tunneled Transport Layer Security): A wireless authentication method that uses a combination of digital certificates and a username and password for authentication.
- FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum): a method of transmitting radio signals by rapidly switching the carrier frequency among many frequency channels.
- Frequency band: a range of frequencies allocated for a specific use, such as wireless communication.
- GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications): a digital mobile network widely used in Europe and other parts of the world.
- Handoff: the process of transferring an active wireless connection from one access point to another.
- Infrastructure network: a wireless network that uses an access point to connect wireless clients to a wired network.
- IoT (Internet of Things): a network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data.
- LEAP (Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol): A Cisco proprietary wireless authentication method that uses a combination of digital certificates and a username and password for authentication.
- LTE (Long-Term Evolution): a wireless communication standard for mobile networks that offer higher data speeds and lower latency than older technologies such as 3G.
- MAC (Media Access Control) address: a unique identifier assigned to a network interface, typically a network card or wireless adapter, used to identify the device on a network.
- Mesh network: a type of wireless network in which devices act as both clients and access points, creating a network that can cover a large area and provide redundant connections.
- MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output): a wireless technology that uses multiple antennas at both the source (such as a wireless router) and the destination (such as a wireless client) to improve communication performance.
- NFC (Near Field Communication): a set of communication protocols that enable two electronic devices, one of which is usually a portable device such as a smartphone, to establish communication by bringing them close together (typically less than 4 cm or 1.5 inches).
- OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing): a method of encoding digital data on multiple carrier frequencies.
- Packet: a unit of data transmitted over a network, typically containing control information and user data.
- PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol): A wireless authentication method that uses a combination of digital certificates and a username and password.
- Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) wireless: Wireless communication that establishes a link between a single device (the access point) and multiple other devices (the clients).
- Point-to-Point (P2P) wireless: Wireless communication that establishes a direct link between two devices without the need for an access point.
- RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service): a protocol that enables centralized authentication and authorization for wireless networks.
- RF (Radio Frequency): the range of frequencies at which radio waves and other electromagnetic signals operate.
- Roaming: the ability for a wireless device to automatically switch to a different access point or network as the device moves out of range of the current connection.
- Ron Legarski: Wireless Communications Specialist.
- RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator): a measure of the power level of a wireless signal, typically used to determine the link quality between a wireless device and an access point.
- RTS (Request to Send): a signal sent by a wireless device to request permission to transmit data.
- SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio): a measure of the ratio of the level of the desired signal to the level of background noise used to determine the quality of a wireless signal.
- SSID (Service Set Identifier): a unique name assigned to a wireless network, used to identify it among other networks in the area.
- TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol): a protocol used in WPA and WPA2 to improve the security of wireless networks.
- VPN (Virtual Private Network): a method of creating a secure, encrypted connection between two devices, typically used to access a private network or the internet from a remote location.
- VPN Pass-through: a feature that allows VPN connections to be established through a firewall or network address translator (NAT) device.
- WDS (Wireless Distribution System): a system that allows wireless access points to be connected together wirelessly, creating a single large wireless network.
- WIDS (Wireless Intrusion Detection System): a system that monitors wireless networks for unauthorized access and other security threats.
- Wi-Fi: a wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections.
- WIPS (Wireless Intrusion Prevention System): a system that monitors wireless networks for unauthorized access and other security threats and takes action to prevent them.
- Wireless Access Point (WAP) mode: a mode of operation in which wireless devices connect to an access point to access the network.
- Wireless Ad-hoc mode: a mode of operation in which wireless devices connect directly to each other without using an access point.
- Wireless Beamforming: a technique used to focus the wireless signal towards the receiver by adjusting the phase and amplitude of the signals transmitted by multiple antennas.
- Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN): a wireless network of devices worn or implanted in the human body, typically used for healthcare and fitness applications.
- Wireless bridge: a device that connects two wired networks together using wireless communication.
- Wireless Carrier Aggregation (WCA): a technique used to increase the bandwidth of a wireless connection by combining multiple carrier frequencies.
- Wireless Cellular-V2X (WC-V2X): a type of wireless communication used for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications, allowing for communication between vehicles, infrastructure, and other devices.
- Wireless Channel Bonding: a technique used to increase the bandwidth of a wireless connection by combining two or more channels together.
- Wireless client: a device that connects to a wireless network to access network resources.
- Wireless Cognitive Radio (WCR): a type of wireless device that can sense and adapt to its environment to optimize performance and avoid interference.
- Wireless Cognitive Radio Network (WCRN): a type of wireless network in which devices can sense the spectrum and adapt their communication accordingly to avoid interference and increase spectrum utilization.
- Wireless controller: a device that manages and controls multiple wireless access points on a network.
- Wireless Device-to-Device (WD2D) Communication: direct communication between wireless devices in proximity, without the need for an intermediary network infrastructure.
- Wireless Device-to-Infrastructure (WD2I) Communication: communication between wireless devices and a wireless access point through which devices connect to a wired network infrastructure.
- Wireless Direct: a technology that allows wireless devices to connect directly to each other without the need for an access point.
- Wireless Direct-Link Setup (WPS): A feature that allows easy setup and connecting devices to a wireless network using a PIN.
- Wireless Distribution System (WDS): a system that allows wireless access points to be connected wirelessly, creating a single extensive wireless network.
- Wireless Dynamic Spectrum Access (WDSA): a technique that allows wireless devices to access the spectrum opportunistically and adaptively.
- Wireless Femtocell: a type of small cell intended for use in residential or small office environments, typically used to improve cellular coverage in indoor areas.
- Wireless Full Duplex (WFD): a technique that allows wireless devices to transmit and receive simultaneously on the same frequency.
- Wireless Heterogeneous Network (WHetNet): a wireless network that uses multiple types of wireless technology, such as cellular, Wi-Fi, and others, to provide coverage and capacity.
- Wireless hotspot: a location where people can access the internet, typically using Wi-Fi, via a wireless local area network (WLAN) with a router connected to an internet service provider.
- Wireless Licensed Assisted Access (WLAA): a technique used to increase the capacity of a wireless network by using unlicensed spectrum in combination with licensed spectrum.
- Wireless Localization: a technique used to determine the location of wireless devices using various methods such as GPS, triangulation, and fingerprinting.
- Wireless Low-Power Wide-Area Network (WLPWAN): a wireless network that allows devices to communicate over long distances using low power.
- Wireless Machine-to-Machine (WM2M) Communication: communication between machines or devices, typically used in industrial and IoT applications.
- Wireless Mesh Network: a type of wireless network in which devices act as both clients and access points, creating a network that can cover a large area and provide redundant connections.
- Wireless Millimeter-wave (WmmWave) Communication: a type of wireless communication that uses the millimeter wave portion of the radio spectrum, typically used in 5G and high-bandwidth applications.
- Wireless Mobile Ad-hoc Network (WMANET): a self-organizing network of mobile devices that communicate with each other without the need for infrastructure.
- Wireless Multimedia Extension (WME): a set of wireless network features designed to improve multimedia applications’ performance.
- Wireless Multiple Input Multiple Output (WMIMO): a technology that uses multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to improve the performance of a wireless link.
- Wireless Multi-User MIMO (WMU-MIMO): a technology that allows multiple users to be served simultaneously by a single access point, improving network capacity.
- Wireless Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (WNOMA): a technique used to increase the number of users that can be supported in a wireless network.
- Wireless Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (WOFDM): a technique used to increase the bandwidth of a wireless connection by dividing the channel into multiple subcarriers.
- Wireless Picocell: a type of small cell intended for commercial or public areas, typically used to improve cellular coverage in indoor or outdoor areas.
- Wireless Power over Ethernet (WPoE): a technology that allows power to be delivered to wireless access points and other devices over an Ethernet cable.
- Wireless Protected Setup (WPS): A feature that allows easy setup and connection of devices to a wireless network using a PIN or a push button.
- WQoS (Wireless Quality of Service): a set of features that allow network administrators to prioritize different types of network traffic.
- Wireless range extender: a device that connects to a wireless network and re-broadcasts the signal to extend the coverage area.
- Wireless repeater: a device that receives and amplifies wireless signals, extending the range of a wireless network.
- Wireless Roaming: the ability of a wireless device to automatically switch to a different access point or network as the device moves out of range of the current connection.
- Wireless Security: Measures taken to protect wireless networks and devices from unauthorized access, hacking, and other security threats.
- Wireless Sensor Network (WSN): a wireless network of devices deployed to sense and collect data from the environment.
- Wireless Small Cell: a wireless access point that provides coverage and capacity in a small area, typically used to improve cellular coverage in densely populated areas.
- Wireless Smart Antenna: a type of antenna that can adapt to the environment and adjust its radiation pattern to improve the performance of a wireless link.
- Wireless Smart Grid: a wireless network that monitors and controls electricity distribution in a power grid.
- Wireless Smart Mesh: a type of wireless network in which devices can form a mesh network dynamically, self-organizing, and self-healing to provide a robust and highly-available network.
- Wireless Software-Defined Radio (WSDR): a type of wireless device that can adapt its functionality and performance through software changes rather than hardware changes.
- Wireless Ultra Low-power Networking (WULPN): a technology that allows for wireless communication using low power, typically used in IoT and sensor network applications.
- Wireless Ultra-Wideband (UWB): a technology that allows for high-bandwidth communication over an extensive range of frequencies.
- WVLAN (Wireless Virtual Local Area Network): a way to segment a wireless network into multiple logical networks.
- Wireless White Space: the unused portion of the radio spectrum that can be used for wireless communication.
- WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access): a security protocol for wireless networks that uses stronger encryption and authentication than the older WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) protocol.
- WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access II): an improved version of the WPA security protocol that uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for more robust encryption.
- WPA3: the latest version of the Wi-Fi Protected Access security protocol, it includes more vital protection against hacking and other security threats, like offline dictionary attacks.
- WPA3-Easy Connect: A feature that allows easy setup and connection of devices to a wireless network, especially IoT devices.
- WPA3-Enterprise: the enterprise version of WPA3, it adds support for more advanced authentication methods, like 802.1X, and is typically used in corporate or enterprise environments.
- WPA3-Personal: the personal version of WPA3 is intended for use in the home or small office environments and uses a more straightforward, pre-shared key (PSK) based authentication.
- WPA3-Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE): A technique used for mutual authentication between devices in a wireless network.
- WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup): This standard makes it easy to set up and secure a wireless home network.
- Zigbee: a wireless communications standard for personal area networks (PANs) that use low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard.