Glossary Access Point : A base station in a wireless LAN. Access points are typically stand-alone devices that plug into an Ethernet hub or switch. Like a cellular phone system, users can roam around with their mobile devices and be handed off from one access point to the other. Access portal : It is the “door” that will allow you to connect yourself to the wireless high speed Internet. It also gives you a wide range of services. ADSL : (Asymetric Digital Subscriber Line) New technology that allows more data to be sent over existing copper telephone lines (POTS). ADSL supports data rates of from 1.5 to 9 Mbps when receiving data (known as the downstream rate) and from 16 to 640 Kbps when sending data (known as the upstream rate). ADSL users can receive voice and data simultaneously so there is no need for a separate phone line. Centrino Label : Centrino is not a processor, but a new concept for mobile informatics (laptops and Tablet PCs). It has been developed by Intel and gathers several technologies allowing improvement in autonomy, wireless connectivity (RLAN) and performance. Gateway : In a communications network, a network node equipped for interfacing with another network that uses different protocols. A gateway may contain devices such as protocol translators, impedance matching devices, rate converters, fault isolators, or signal translators as necessary to provide system interoperability. It also requires that mutually acceptable administrative procedures be established between the two networks. A protocol translation/mapping gateway interconnects networks with different network protocol technologies by performing the required protocol conversions. Hotspot : (Short for Wireless Internet hotspot) Public space, crowded and clearly defined (for example coffees, hotels, train stations, airports, libraries, etc.) giving access to a wireless network, allowing mobile terminals users (for instance personal assistant) to connect themselves easily on the Internet. LAN : (Local Area Network – local network) A computer network dedicated to sharing data among several single-user workstations or personal computers, each of which is called a node. A LAN can have from two to several hundred such nodes, each separated by distances of several feet to as much as a mile, and should be distinguished from connections among computers over public carriers, such as telephone circuits, that are used for other purposes. Because of the relatively small areas involved, the nodes in a LAN can be connected by special high-data-rate cables. A metropolitan area network (MAN) is defined as being restricted to a larger area (maximum distances of 50–60 miles) than a LAN but one still small enough so that dedicated links (such as microwave links) can be used. Member area : Extranet specially designated for METEOR networks’ members. This private network is working on the Internet model (particularly concerning data exchanges protocols) and enables to gather resources: information, services, processes, tools, etc. Modem : A device for transmitting usually digital data over telephone wires by modulating the data into an audio signal to send it and demodulating an audio signal into data to receive it. For instance, it will allow you to connect yourself to the Internet. Operator : A company that is exploiting a telecommunication network or providing telecommunication services. PCMCIA Card : (WiFi Card or WiFi extension) A credit-card sized, removable module for portable computers standardized by PCMCIA and introduced in 1990. PCMCIA Cards are used to attach modems, network adapters, sound cards, radio transceivers, solid state disks and hard disks to a portable computer. PDA : Personal Digital Assistant) A lightweight, hand-held, usually pen-based computer used as a personal organizer, as a memo or as an electronic book. RLAN : (Radio Local Area Networks) Wireless local network. RLANs are part of the WLANs family. Roaming : It is the connexion intercompatibility between different operators. As regards WiFi, a roaming agreement between an operator A and an operator B allows someone who subscribed to A to connect itself to the wireless Internet thanks to B. B will send the billing information to A. Roaming agreements allow operators to have permanent services even in the areas where they do no own any infrastructure. Router : A device that forwards data packets from one local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) to another. Based on routing tables and routing protocols, routers read the network address in each transmitted frame and make a decision on how to send it based on the most expedient route (traffic load, line costs, speed, bad lines, etc.). W-LAN : (Wireless-Local Area Network – local wireless networks) IEEE’s normalization terminology that elaborates the 802.11 norm. It is the wireless version for local informatics networks. WAN : (Wide Area Network) A communications network that covers a wide geographic area, such as state or country, the contrary of WAN. WiFi : Short for "Wireless Fidelity", is a set of standards for wireless local area networks (WLAN) currently based on the IEEE 802.11 specifications. New standards beyond the 802.11 specifications, such as 802.16 are currently in the works, they offer many enhancements, anywhere from longer range to greater transfer speeds. WiFi was intended to be used for wireless devices and LANs, but is now often used for Internet access. It enables a person with a wireless-enabled computer or personal digital assistant to connect to the Internet when in proximity of an access point called a hotspot. Wireless Link Association : (W-Link) Wireless Link gathers eleven operators willing to work together in order to federate the market and to ease the use of WiFi. (SFR Cegetel, Orange, Bouygues Telecom, Wifirst, ADP Télécom, Naxos Telcité, Visacom, All Telecom, Meteor Networks, Sanef). The major French operators represent more than 90% of the French market, showing their will to offer simplicity in the utilization and an excellent quality of service to the customers. www.wirelesslink.fr WISP : Wireless ISP or Internet access provider using wireless WLAN access technologies.