See IBSS.
Basic Service Set, a wireless network that is formed by access points and clients.
Basic Service Set IDentifier.
The IEEE standards define a number of capability flags that describe the operation of a wireless LAN. The flags are described in the table below:
| Flag | Meaning | Defined in | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | Hexadecimal | ||
| 1 | 1 | ESS | 802.11 |
| 2 | 2 | IBSS | 802.11 |
| 4 | 4 | CF Pollable | 802.11 |
| 8 | 8 | CF-Poll Request | 802.11 |
| 16 | 10 | Privacy (WEP) | 802.11 |
| 32 | 20 | Short Preamble | 802.11b |
| 64 | 40 | PBCC | 802.11b |
| 128 | 80 | Channel Agility | 802.11b |
| 1024 | 400 | Short Slot Time | 802.11g |
| 8192 | 2000 | DSSS-OFDM | 802.11g |
| 256, 512, 2048, 4096, 16384, 32768 | 100, 200, 800, 1000, 4000, 8000 | Reserved for future use. | 802.11g |
dB is the abbreviation of decibel.
dBI is a decibel unit that measures antenna gain. 0 dBI is equivalent to an isotropic antenna, a theoretical antenna that radiates or receives equally in all directions. In reality no antenna is isotropic.
dBm is a decibel unit that measures power. 0 dBm is equivalent to 1 milliwatt. 30 dBm is equivalent to 1 watt.
A decibel is a logarithmic measure of something compared with a defined reference point. An increase of 10 dB corresponds to the value being multiplied by 10. A decrease of 10 dB corresponds to the value being divided by 10.
Extended Service Set. A wireless LAN configuration that uses access points to connect devices together. Typically the access points are connected together via a traditional wired LAN.
Global Positioning System, a collection of satellites in orbit around Earth that allows anyone with a suitable receiver to measure their location to within a few tens of feet of accuracy.
An Independent Basic Service Set, also known as "ad hoc network" or "peer to peer network".
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc.
Local Area Network. A collection of systems that are interconnected, typically via technology based on the IEEE 802 series of standards.
A version of NetStumbler for Windows CE devices. Not all of the features in NetStumbler are in MiniStumbler, but the files that they produce are interchangeable.
A mode of operation of a wireless NIC that allows it to receive all traffic on a given channel, regardless of the BSSID of the networks it sees. NetStumbler does not currently support Monitor Mode.
Network Interface Card.
The National Maritime Electronics Association. NMEA defined the NMEA0183 protocol that is used by most GPSreceivers.
The strength of interference or other unintended background signals that are being received. Usually measured in dBm.
A mode of operation of a NIC that allows it to receive all traffic on the network, regardless of the intended destination. In a wireless setting, this is all traffic with the currently associated BSSID.
Received Signal Strength Indication. A measurement of the strength (not necessarily quality) of the received signal, in arbitrary units. RSSI often appears on a scale from 0 to 100.
The ratio (signal strength / noise level) which measures signal quality. Usually measured in dB. Because decibels are logarithmic, the SNR in dB is the difference between Signal and Noise if they are both measured in the same dB units.
The strength of the signal being received. Usually measured in dBm.
Service Set IDentifier.
The sport of detecting and/or locating wireless LANs. The ethics (and, in most places, the laws) of wardriving dictate that the wireless LANs thus found must not be used without the owner's permission.
Wired Equivalent Privacy. A weak encryption scheme that is the standard on wireless networks. WEP has some well documented weaknesses that make it unsuitable for use with extremely sensitive data.
WiFi Protected Access. An encryption scheme that is stronger than WEP, but not as strong as AES.
A place where animals can watch humans.