Glossary

802.11a - 802.11a -- provides up to 54 Mbps transmission in the 5GHz band. Less potential for radio frequency interference than 802.11b and 802.11g. Relatively shorter range (about 60 metres) than 802.11b. Not interoperable with 802.11b.

802.11b - 802.11b -- provides 11 Mbps transmission in the 2.4 GHz band. Not interoperable with 802.11a. Offers access to data at up to 100 metres from base station.

802.11g - 802.11g -- provides up to 54 Mbps (typically 22 Mbps) in the 2.4 GHz band. Considered to be the successor to and compatible with 802.11b. Offers high-speed access to data at up to 100 metres from base station.

Access Point - Access Point is a device that transmits and receives data (sometimes referred to as a transceiver) connecting users within a WLAN and also serves as the point of interconnection between the WLAN and a wired network, for example a company's LAN. Access Points are important for providing heightened wireless security and for extending the physical range of service a wireless user has access to. Each access point can serve multiple users within a defined network area; as people move beyond the range of one access point, they are automatically handed over to the next one. A small WLAN may only require a single access point; the number required increases as a function of the number of network users and the physical size of the network.

Bluetooth® - Bluetooth® complements wireless LAN perfectly by providing a quick and easy way of connecting one Bluetooth®-enabled device to another without going through your network. For example, you could print a document at a satellite office from your laptop to any Bluetooth®-enabled printer within range (Bluetooth®, products work over shorter distances than wireless networks - approximately 10 metres). In addition, by creating a temporary network, (also known as a personal area network - PAN) you can exchange files at informal meetings - say, around a client's conference table. Put simply, Bluetooth®, provides the opportunity for flexible, spontaneous working, especially if you don't have the time to connect to a fixed or wireless network.

GPRS - GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service, this standard allows packet rather than circuit switch connections on cellular networks. This allows high-speed mobile access and the ability to connect to the mobile network when Internet access is required.

GPS - GPS is short for Global Positioning System, GPS refers to satellite-based radio positioning systems that provide 24 hour three-dimensional position, velocity and time information to suitably equipped users anywhere on or near the surface of the Earth (and sometimes off the earth). GPS technology is used in a wide range of applications, including maritime, environmental, navigational, tracking and monitoring.

Hotspots - Hotspots are public WLANs located in airports, hotels, conference centres and other public areas across the UK and the rest of Europe. (You may have seen the logo in your local Starbucks Coffee Shops.) When you're within range of a Hotspot, you can connect wirelessly to the Internet via your laptop or PDA. Presently there are hundreds of Hotspots throughout the UK and the rest of Europe, with many more planned for the very near future.

Infrared - Infrared is similar to Bluetooth in that it's another method of peer-to-peer networking. Here data is transmitted via radio waves across short distances from device to device. (The range data can be sent using infrared is shorter than with Bluetooth.) You could, for instance, send a text document to a colleague by bringing your notebooks close together and exchanging the data via each device's infrared port.

LAN - Local area networks are independent fixed wire networks that make up your fixed network. Cables and wires connect each device to your servers. LANs are the most common type of networks used, but this may not be the case for long - wireless local area networks are becoming more popular.

Media Access Control (MAC) - The MAC address is the physical address of a device connected to a network. This unique hardware identity can be used to allow devices access to networks such as a wireless area network (WLAN) via an access point.

Megabits per second (Mbps) - Megabits per second (a million bits per second) is a unit used to measure the rate of information transfer. [A bit, short for binary digit, is the smallest unit of information a computer can hold]

PAN - Personal area networks, or PANs, are close range casual networks that work separately from a fixed or wireless network, by creating a temporary network. You can exchange files at impromptu meetings easily, save time printing a document without having to connect to a fixed or wireless network, and share information between Bluetooth-enabled devices wherever you go.

Roaming - Roaming refers to the ability of a wireless user to move freely, or "roam", within a building, campus or large complex while maintaining an unbroken wireless connection to the wireless local are network (WLAN). This is achieved by using a number of strategically positioned access points. As a user moves beyond the range of one access point, they are automatically handed over to the next one.

USB / USB 2.0 - Short for Universal Serial Bus [connect the computer to external memory and peripherals], a USB is an external bus standard that allows the transfer of data at rates up to 12 Mbits per second and USB2 480Mbits per second. A USB port is used to connect peripheral devices, such as mice, printers and keyboards among others, to your computer.USB is an external interface standard, or connector, for communication between a computer and external peripherals and devices. USB is intended to replace existing serial ports, parallel ports, keyboard and monitor connectors and can be used with keyboards, mice, monitors, printers and removable hard drives. USB works at 1.5 and 12 Mbps (Megabits per second) with specific consideration for low cost peripherals. USB 2.0, sometimes referred to as 'Hi-Speed USB', is a much faster enhanced version - working at 480 Mbps.

VPN - A virtual private network, or VPN, uses the Internet to connect users to their work or personal networks or servers through a secure 'tunnel'. This means you can connect to your office network securely wherever there's access to the Internet. For example, you could set up a VPN at any one of the hundreds of Hotspots located in airports, hotels and conference centres around the UK and the rest of Europe.

WLAN - Wireless Local Area Networks or WLANs provide cable-free connection between notebooks, desktop PCs, printers, PDAs and your office network via wireless access points. This provides a simple way of expanding your network (and your business) without the hassle and expense of installing additional cabling.

Wi-Fi - Wi-Fi is a non-profit organization created to provide an interoperability certification for Wireless LAN products based on the 802.11 standard.