RF Characteristics
The speed at which a waveform cycles in a second
Frequency
A scanning method in which the client broadcasts probe requests and records the probe responses in order to determine the network with which it will establish an association.
Active Scanning
The BSS and ESS name used to identify WLAN.
SSID
A legacy method of security defined in the original IEEE 802.11 in 1997. Used the RC4 cipher.
WEP
A type of access control that uses a phrase as a passkey. This is typically a common error when typed wrong.
Passphrase authentication
An RF behavior that occurs as an RF wave passes through material causing a bending of the wave and possible redirection of the wavefront.
Refraction
The process of the user or device identity validation.
Authentication
This protocol helps synchronize time.
NTP
A security protocol designed by Wi-Fi Alliance. Requires an 802.1x authentication server. Uses the TKIP encryption protocol with RC4.
WPA-Enterprise
A frame exchange used to clear the channel before transmitting a frame in order to assist in the reduction of collisions on the medium.
Request to send/clear to send (RTS/CTS)
A measure of the amount of RF energy being received by a radio. Often specified as _________
RSSI
The condition wherein a client STA is linked with an AP for frame transmission through the AP to the network.
Association
This setting should set to match the AP and STA otherwise, a mismatch can cause issues.
Power output
Some administrators use this method to secure their WLAN by using a hide in plain sight method.
Hidden SSID - Disable Broadcasting.
This was an issue in legacy standards but became a benefit in modern Wi-Fi Standards.
Multipath
Congestion caused by the normal operations of CMSA/CA when multiple BSSs exist on the same channel.
Co-Channel Interference
The IEEE standard that uses certificates to authenticate devices attempting to connect to the LAN or WLAN.
802.1x
What is 802.11B PHY Name.
HR/DSSS
This amendment, also known as RSN, brought WPA2.
802.11i
A problem that occurs when a high powered device is closer to an AP in a BSS and a lower powered device is farther from the AP.
Near-Far
An increase in strength of a signal by focusing the signal's energy rather than increasing the actual energy available.
Passive gain
The partitioning of a stream of data bits into multip streams transmitted simultaneously by multiple radio chains in an AP or client STA.
Spatial Streams
The output power required of an isotropic radiator to equal the measured power output from an antenna in the intended direction of propagation.
EIRP
The process used to generate encryption keys for unicast frames and transmit encryption keys for group frames using material from 802.1x/EAP authentication or the pre-shared keys.
4-Way Handshake
The problem that arises when nodes cannot receive each other's frames, which can lead to packet collisions and retransmissions.
Hidden Node