Network Operations & Protocols

Access Layer Forwarding

The process of forwarding packets at the access layer of a network.

Active Mode

A power management mode where a wireless station is always in an awake state, ensuring better performance.

Active Scanning

The process of actively searching for wireless networks by sending probe requests.

Ad-Hoc Mode

A wireless network mode where devices communicate directly without an access point.

Band Steering

A feature that directs dual-band devices to the optimal frequency band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) for performance.

BSS Transition

The process of moving a device from one Basic Service Set (BSS) to another.

Centralized Forwarding

A method where all user traffic is passed to a central controller for forwarding.

Distributed Forwarding

A method where the access point performs data forwarding locally, avoiding a central location.

Distributed System (DS)

The infrastructure used to interconnect a set of Basic Service Sets (BSSs) to create an Extended Service Set (ESS).

Distribution System Medium (DSM)

The medium used by the Distributed System (DS) to interconnect access points.

Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)

A mechanism that detects radar signals and dynamically switches the operating frequency to avoid interference.

Dynamic Rate Switching (DRS)

A technique that adjusts the data transmission rate based on the quality of the wireless link.

Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA)

A QoS feature that provides differentiated access to the wireless medium based on traffic categories. AC_VO, AC_VI, AC_BE, AC_BK

Frame Aggregation

A method of combining multiple frames into a single transmission to improve efficiency.

Network Segmentation

The division of a network into smaller, isolated segments to improve performance and security.

Reassociation

The process of re-establishing a connection with an access point, typically after a temporary disconnection.

Roaming

The ability of a wireless device to move between different access points within the same network without losing connectivity.

Transmit Beamforming (TxBF)

A technique that focuses the wireless signal towards a specific device to improve performance.

Transmit Power Control (TPC)

A mechanism that adjusts the transmit power of a device to optimize performance and reduce interference.

Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA)

A network protocol that listens for a carrier signal before transmitting to avoid collisions.

Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA)

A network protocol that avoids collisions by waiting for a clear channel before transmitting.

Clear Channel Assessment (CCA)

A process that checks if a channel is clear before transmitting.

Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)

A modulation technique that spreads the signal over a wider frequency band to reduce interference.

Distributed Coordination Function (DCF)

A channel access method used in IEEE 802.11 networks to manage access to the wireless medium.

Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)

An authentication framework used in network and internet connections.

Open System Authentication

A simple authentication method where a device is allowed to connect to a network without credentials.

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model

A conceptual framework used to understand and implement network protocols in seven layers.

Request to Send/Clear to Send (RTS/CTS)

A protocol used to reduce collisions by reserving the channel before transmitting data.

Airtime Fairness

A feature that ensures equal access to the wireless medium for all devices.

Bandwidth

The range of frequencies available for communication.

Data Rate

The speed at which data is transmitted over a network.

Delay

The time it takes for a data packet to travel from the source to the destination.

Duty Cycle

The percentage of time a device is actively transmitting over a given period.

Jitter

The variation in packet arrival times, which can affect the quality of real-time communications.

Latency

The delay between the transmission and reception of a data packet.

Quality of Service (QoS)

A set of technologies that manage network traffic to provide different priority levels for different types of data.

Signal Strength

The power level of a received signal, typically measured in dBm.

Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)

The ratio of the power of the signal to the power of background noise, indicating the quality of the signal.

Spatial Multiplexing (SM)

A MIMO technique that transmits multiple data streams simultaneously over the same frequency channel.

Spatial Multiplexing Power Save (SMPS)

A power-saving feature that reduces the number of active spatial streams when full MIMO capabilities are not needed.

Spatial Streams

Independent data streams transmitted simultaneously in a MIMO system.

System Operating Margin (SOM)

The difference between the received signal strength and the minimum required signal strength for reliable communication.

Backoff Timer

A timer used in CSMA/CA to avoid collisions by delaying transmissions. The timer counts down from a random value, and the device transmits when the timer reaches zero.

Beamforming

A technique that focuses the wireless signal towards a specific device to improve performance and range. It uses multiple antennas to send out the same signal at slightly different times.

Beamwidth

The angular width of the main lobe of an antenna’s radiation pattern, measured between the points where the power drops to half its maximum value (-3 dB points).

Channel

A specific frequency range used for wireless communication. In Wi-Fi, channels are used to separate different networks and reduce interference.

Clear Channel Assessment (CCA)

A process by which a wireless device checks if the channel is clear before transmitting data, ensuring that it does not interfere with other transmissions.

Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)

An algorithm that computes the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) of a sequence, converting a signal from its original domain (often time or space) to a representation in the frequency domain.

Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC)

A signal processing technique used in wireless communications to combine multiple received signals, each with different channel gains, to improve the quality and reliability of the received signal.

Adjacent Overlapping Channels

Channels that are close in frequency and overlap, causing interference when used simultaneously.

Adjacent Channel Interface (ACI)

Interference caused by extraneous power from a signal in an adjacent channel, often due to inadequate filtering or improper tuning.

Co-Channel Interference (CCI)

Interference that occurs when two or more transmitters use the same frequency channel, leading to congestion and degraded performance.

Collision Avoidance (CA)

Techniques used to prevent data collisions in a network, often implemented in protocols like CSMA/CA.

Interference

Any unwanted signal that disrupts communication by causing noise or distortion in the desired signal.

Narrowband Interference

Interference that occupies a small portion of the frequency spectrum, typically caused by high-power signals in a narrow frequency range.

Near-Far

A problem where a nearby transmitter’s strong signal overwhelms a weaker signal from a distant transmitter, causing communication issues.