Wireless Network Access Point (WNAP) Set Up Guide

or: How To Set Up a TWCN Node

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4. Components and Definitions

As a wide variety of components, standards, and techniques can come in to play when building a WNAP, we highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the terminology below before attempting to follow the instructions provided in this guide. When requesting assistance from TWCN, be sure to use all terms as defined below.

Bridge - A network device that physically connects two separate and distinct networks. For example: Two Ethernet networks can be 'bridged' together.

DHCP Server - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Server. A server that dynamically assigns hosts an IP address, and any additional information needed to properly communicate on a specific internetwork.

Ethernet - A type of physical network that allows devices to communicate with each other on a local scale.

Firewall(ing) - A server designated as a buffer between any connected public network(s) and a private network. Firewalling is the practice of securing hosts from "evil doers" on the Internet.

Host - Any device that is in someway connected to an internetwork. Such devices include workstations, printers, firewalls, and (conceivably) even things like a soft drink dispensing machine.

Internet - The global, public internetwork that everyone has come to know and love. It comprises all the hosts out there that are publicly accessible. The Internet is a Wide Area Network (WAN).

Internetwork - A network of devices (typically computers) that utilize the Internet Protocol (IP) to communicate with each other. Hosts communicate globally on an internetwork. An internetwork conceptually resides on top of physical networks such as Ethernet.

IP - Internet Protocol. A set of protocols (called a suite) that allow hosts to communicate with each other regardless of location. Sometimes IP is slang for an IP address.

IP address - An identifier that hosts use to locate and communicate with one another. Typically an IP address is represented in a quad decimal format like: 192.168.0.1.

LAN - Local Area Network. Defines a type of network that is local in scope. Often people exchange LAN with Ethernet, although it is incorrect terminology to do so.

NAT - Network Address Translation. A mechanism for translating private IP addresses to public IP addresses, so that internal networked hosts can communicate to the public Internet. NAT is a basic form of firewalling, and NAT service is typically provided by a networked server. It should be noted that when performing NAT, in most cases you're also performing Port Address Translation (PAT).

OSI Model - A model which many networking terms and protocols are referenced against; very useful when discussing networking. A brief explanation of the 7 Layers of the OSI Model can be found on Webopedia.com. The more familiar you are with the OSI layer the easier it is to converse with computer networking people.

Physical layer access device - In the context of this document, we'll say your physical layer access device is equivalent to your modem (DSL, Cable, dial-up, etc.) This isn't a typical networking term, and it's technically inaccurate to use it as we have here.

Private address - When taken in context of an internetwork or an IP address, a private address is one from a set of reserved addresses used to communicate with other hosts on the same network.

Private network (or internal network) - Any network (ethernet, wireless, or otherwise) that is protected from public access in some fashion.

Public address - When taken in context of an internetwork or an IP address, a public address is one from a set of publicly available, globally routable IP addresses. You may often hear the term "public IP", usually slang for your host's public IP address.

Public network - A network that is publicly accessible. In an internetworking context this would be a network with public IP addresses. Sometimes a network can be construed as one single host.

Server - A host providing a specific service, or services to you.

WAN - Wide Area Network. Defines a type of network that is global in scope.

Wireless Bridge - A component typically used to bridge (see above) a wireless network with an ethernet network.

WNAP - Wireless Network Access Point. Any device configuration that enables wireless access to a network topology.

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Title: Wireless Network Access Point (WNAP) Set Up Guide, or: How To Set Up a TWCN Node
Authors: Jason Hammerschmidt (ffff654.noSPAM.at.yahoo.com), and Jason Ramsay-Brown
Contributors: Emir Alikadic, Hugh Reilly
Version: 1.0, April 2nd, 2002.

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