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peekitty · 02-29-2004

Q: I’m confused by the all the acronyms, hit me with the clue-by-four.
A: Tattoo these on the back of your hand:

BSS = Basic Service Set - a simple 802.11 network consisting of an access point and its clients.
ESS = Extended Service Set - a distributed network composed of more than one wireless access point and its clients.
IBSS = Independent BSS - an 802.11 network in ad-hoc mode. Though it's usually composed exclusively of wireless adapters, some standalone devices can function in ad-hoc mode.
BSSID = the unique "hardware ID" of a device, the MAC address.
ESSID = the "network name" of a wireless LAN operating in infrastructure mode, this term is frequently shortened to "SSID."
IBSSID = Independent BSSID - in ad-hoc networks, the IBSSID is generated randomly.

02-29-2004	#3 (permalink)
peekitty Macaca Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S. Florida Posts: 1,056	Terminology 101 Q: I’m confused by the all the acronyms, hit me with the clue-by-four. A: Tattoo these on the back of your hand: BSS = Basic Service Set - a simple 802.11 network consisting of an access point and its clients. ESS = Extended Service Set - a distributed network composed of more than one wireless access point and its clients. IBSS = Independent BSS - an 802.11 network in ad-hoc mode. Though it's usually composed exclusively of wireless adapters, some standalone devices can function in ad-hoc mode. BSSID = the unique "hardware ID" of a device, the MAC address. ESSID = the "network name" of a wireless LAN operating in infrastructure mode, this term is frequently shortened to "SSID." IBSSID = Independent BSSID - in ad-hoc networks, the IBSSID is generated randomly.