3G
3G (or 3-G) is short for third-generation mobile telephone technology. The services associated with 3G provide the ability to transfer both voice data (a telephone call) and non-voice data (such as downloading information, exchanging email, and instant messaging). With data rates of up to 384kbps, it is nearly seven times as fast as a standard dial-up connection. If you stray out of range of 3G coverage the service will switch automatically to GPRS without your connection being interrupted. 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. AAA or Triple-A (authentication, authorisation, and auditing)
Refers to a framework for intelligently controlling access to computer resources, enforcing policies, auditing usage, and providing the information necessary to bill for services. These combined processes are considered important for effective network management and security.  |
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. Broadband
Broadband is the standard term for high speed Internet connection. CDMA
CDMA means code division multiple access, a broadband communication technology. EDGE
EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution) is a 3G technology that delivers broadband-like data speeds to mobile devices. It is a global standard for wireless wide-area data communication being rapidly deployed by GSM carriers worldwide EVDO
means Evolution Data Optimized, a wireless radio broadband data standard adopted by many CDMA mobile phone service members. GPRS
GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service, this standard allows packet rather than circuit switch connections on cellular networks. The total available GPRS bandwidth can be immediately dedicated to those users who are actually sending at any given moment, providing higher utilisation where users only send and receive data intermittenly. 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. When you're within range of a Hotspot, you can connect wirelessly to the Internet via your laptop or PDA. Presently there are thousands of Hotspots throughout Europe, with many more planned for the very near future. |
HSDPA
A technology upgrade to current UMTS networks, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is a packet-based data service feature of the WCDMA standard that provides improved downlink data rates. Initial implementations of HSDPA were introduced commercially in 2005 at 1.8 Mbps peak downlink data rates and will evolve to higher rates over successive generations. HSDPA’s peak uplink speed is currently 384 Kbps. Some networks began to support 3.6 Mbps downlink data rates in 2006. The future evolution of HSDPA will consist of successive improvements in downlink data rates and, with the introduction of High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), substantial improvements in uplink data rates and quality of service as well. |
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 laptops 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] Mouse
input device 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. Radio Module Device
means a wireless device that is capable of communicating directly with a mobile telecommunications network in accordance with appropriate 3G UMTS or HSDPA communication standards. 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. Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)
UMTS is one of the primary 3G technologies used for WWANs today. Built on WCDMA (Wideband CDMA) standards (the successor technology for GSM/GPRS networks), UTMS can provide data speeds up to 384 Kbps. A faster standard, dubbed High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) will be the next development for this branch of the cellular tree. |
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. 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. Wireless WAN (WWAN)
A wireless WAN (Wide Area Network) is a network of wireless services that work beyond a single building, operated by a service provider such as your mobile phone operator. In a wireless WAN, you can reach a provider’s voice or data network wirelessly instead of plugging your laptop into a phone jack and dialling into the Internet or connecting to a public hotspot. In a WAN, each mobile device communicates to a provider’s base station. Service providers install networks of base stations (similar to mobile phone towers) throughout large geographic areas, effectively providing coverage across entire states, regions, or even countries. WLAN
Wireless Local Area Networks or WLANs provide cable-free connection between laptops, 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. | 
