Here’s a glossary of WiFi terms and abbreviations, covering wireless standards, protocols, devices, security, and performance metrics:
📶 WiFi (Wireless Networking) GLOSSARY
A
Access Point (AP) – Device allowing wireless devices to connect to a wired network.
Ad-Hoc Mode – WiFi mode where devices communicate directly without AP.
AES / Advanced Encryption Standard – Strong encryption used for WiFi security.
Antenna Gain / dBi – Measurement of antenna efficiency and signal directionality.
Authentication / Network Access Control – Process verifying device credentials before network access.
B
Bandwidth / Channel Width – Maximum data transfer rate, typically in MHz or Mbps.
Beacon / Wireless Broadcast – Periodic signal from AP advertising network presence.
BSS / Basic Service Set – Collection of devices associated with a single AP.
Beamforming / Directed WiFi – Focuses WiFi signal toward connected devices for better performance.
Bluetooth Coexistence / Interference Management – Reduces interference between WiFi and Bluetooth.
C
Channel / Frequency Band – Specific range used for WiFi communication (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz).
Channel Bonding / Increased Bandwidth – Combining two or more channels to improve throughput.
Client Device / STA (Station) – Device connecting to a WiFi network.
Congestion / Network Overload – Reduced performance due to too many devices on a channel.
Coverage Area / Range – Physical area over which WiFi signal is effective.
D
Data Rate / Throughput – Actual speed of data transfer over WiFi.
DFS / Dynamic Frequency Selection – Automatically switches channels to avoid interference.
DHCP / Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol – Assigns IP addresses automatically to devices.
Dual-Band / Multi-Band Router – Router supporting both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.
DFS Radar Detection / Regulatory Compliance – Detects radar to avoid interference in 5 GHz band.
E
Encryption / Data Security – Scrambles wireless traffic to prevent unauthorized access.
Extender / WiFi Repeater – Device extending network coverage.
ESS / Extended Service Set – Multiple APs forming a larger network with a shared SSID.
ESM / Enhanced Security Mode – Advanced WiFi security protocols.
Ethernet Backhaul / Wired AP Connection – Connects AP to network via cable for better performance.
F
Firewall / Network Protection – Secures devices connected to WiFi network.
Firmware / Router Software – Embedded software controlling WiFi devices.
Frequency / Signal Band – Measured in GHz, e.g., 2.4, 5, 6 GHz.
Fast Roaming / 802.11r – Allows seamless switching between APs in a network.
Fragmentation / Data Packet Splitting – Dividing large frames to improve reliability.
G
GHz / Gigahertz – Frequency unit for WiFi signals.
Guest Network / Isolated Access – Network for visitors with limited access.
GSM / Global System for Mobile – Sometimes used in cellular/WiFi coexistence discussion.
Group Key / Shared Encryption – Used for encrypting multicast/broadcast WiFi traffic.
Gigabit WiFi / High-Speed Wireless – WiFi capable of near 1 Gbps throughput.
H
Hotspot / Public Access Point – WiFi network open for public use.
HT / High Throughput / 802.11n – WiFi standard supporting faster speeds.
HTTP / Web Protocol – Common application layer protocol used over WiFi.
HT20 / HT40 / Channel Widths – 20 MHz or 40 MHz WiFi channels.
Handover / Roaming – Switching connection from one AP to another.
I
IEEE / Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – Organization defining WiFi standards.
IP Address / Device Identifier – Network address assigned to each device.
Infrastructure Mode / AP-Based Network – Standard WiFi mode with centralized AP.
ISP / Internet Service Provider – Provides Internet connectivity to WiFi router.
Interference / Signal Disruption – Obstacles or other devices causing WiFi performance degradation.
J
Jitter / Latency Variation – Fluctuation in network delay affecting performance.
Joystick / Wireless Controller Use – Considered in WiFi gaming latency discussions.
JSON / Router Configuration Data – Some routers use JSON format for settings.
Jump / Channel Switching – Rapid channel switching to avoid interference.
Jumbo Frames / Large Packets – Occasionally supported for efficient network transfer.
K
KBps / Kilobytes per Second – Data rate measurement.
Key Management / WiFi Security – Handling encryption keys for WPA/WPA2/WPA3.
Kbps / Kilobits per Second – Standard for measuring WiFi speed.
Key Rotation / Security Update – Changing WiFi encryption keys periodically.
Kill Switch / Network Disable – Function to disable WiFi quickly.
L
Latency / Delay – Time data takes to travel between devices.
Load / Network Traffic – Amount of data being transmitted over WiFi.
Link Aggregation / Multi-Connection – Combining connections for higher throughput.
LED Indicator / Signal Status – Shows status of WiFi device.
LAN / Local Area Network – Wired network connecting WiFi APs and devices.
M
Mesh WiFi / Multi-Node Network – Network with multiple APs forming a seamless WiFi system.
MIMO / Multiple Input Multiple Output – Uses multiple antennas to improve performance.
Mbps / Megabits per Second – Measurement of WiFi data transfer speed.
MU-MIMO / Multi-User MIMO – Supports multiple devices simultaneously.
Modem / Network Interface Device – Connects network to Internet for WiFi router.
N
Network Name / SSID – Identifier of a WiFi network.
NAT / Network Address Translation – Maps multiple private IPs to public IP.
Noise / Signal Interference – Unwanted RF interference affecting WiFi.
Node / Device in Network – Any connected device in a WiFi network.
NSA / Network Security Assessment – Evaluation of WiFi network security.
O
OFDM / Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing – Modulation technique used in 802.11a/g/n/ac/ax.
Open Network / Unsecured WiFi – WiFi without password or encryption.
Overlapping Channels / Interference – Two WiFi networks on the same frequency range.
802.11 Standards / WiFi Generations – WiFi standards like a/b/g/n/ac/ax/ay.
Onboarding / Connecting Devices – Initial setup of device to WiFi network.
P
Ping / Latency Test – Checks time to communicate with another device.
Power Level / Transmit Strength – WiFi signal strength from AP or router.
Packet Loss / Data Dropped – Lost data packets causing performance issues.
PHR / Physical Layer Header – Metadata for WiFi frames at PHY layer.
Port Forwarding / Network Configuration – Allows specific traffic through router firewall.
Q
QoS / Quality of Service – Prioritizes traffic for better performance.
QAM / Quadrature Amplitude Modulation – Encoding technique for WiFi signals.
Queue / Packet Management – Buffers and schedules data packets for transmission.
Quick Roaming / Fast BSS Transition – Enables fast handoff between APs.
QR Code / WiFi Easy Connect – Method for sharing WiFi credentials.
R
Router / Network Device – Connects devices to Internet and manages WiFi.
RSSI / Received Signal Strength Indicator – Measures WiFi signal strength.
RADIUS / Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service – Centralized authentication server.
Repeater / Signal Extender – Device that boosts WiFi coverage.
RF / Radio Frequency – Frequency used for wireless communication.
S
SSID / Service Set Identifier – Name of a WiFi network.
Station / Client Device – Device connected to WiFi.
Security Protocols / WPA, WPA2, WPA3 – Protect WiFi network with encryption.
SSID Broadcasting / Network Advertisement – AP advertising network name.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio / SNR – Ratio of WiFi signal to background noise.
T
Throughput / Effective Data Rate – Actual transfer rate achieved.
Tethering / Sharing Mobile Internet – Using phone WiFi for other devices.
TCP / Transmission Control Protocol – Reliable connection protocol for WiFi.
TCP/IP / Internet Protocol Suite – Standard network protocols over WiFi.
Tile / Mesh Node – Unit in a mesh WiFi network.
U
UDP / User Datagram Protocol – Low-latency, unreliable protocol for streaming.
UPnP / Universal Plug and Play – Auto-configuration of devices on network.
User Authentication / Login Verification – Controls access to WiFi network.
Unicast / One-to-One Transmission – Data sent from one device to another.
Upload Speed / Data Sent Rate – How fast devices send data over WiFi.
V
VPN / Virtual Private Network – Secures data over WiFi connection.
VLAN / Virtual LAN – Segmented network within physical WiFi network.
Voice over WiFi / VoWiFi – Making calls over wireless network.
VHT / Very High Throughput / 802.11ac – WiFi standard for faster speeds.
Virtual SSID / Multiple Networks – Multiple WiFi networks using same AP.
W
WEP / Wired Equivalent Privacy – Legacy, insecure WiFi encryption.
WPA / WiFi Protected Access – WiFi security protocol.
WPA2 / WPA3 / Modern WiFi Security – Stronger encryption standards.
WiFi 4/5/6/6E/7 / IEEE 802.11 Generations – WiFi standards for performance and frequency.
Wireless Bridge / Network Link – Connects two networks wirelessly.
X
XML / Configuration Files – Used for router or WiFi setup storage.
X-axis / Physical Antenna Orientation – Direction affecting signal coverage.
XOR / Error Detection – Used in frame check sequences for WiFi.
Xmit / Transmission – Sending data over WiFi.
Xtreme WiFi / Marketing Term – Refers to high-speed WiFi routers.
Y
Yagi Antenna / Directional Antenna – Focused beam for long-range WiFi.
Yield / Signal Efficiency – Effective coverage performance.
Yellow Light / Router Status Indicator – May indicate weak or problem signal.
Yottabyte / Massive Storage for WiFi Data – Extremely large data unit.
Your Network / User-Defined SSID – Personal WiFi network.
Z
Zigbee / IoT Wireless Standard – Low-power wireless often coexisting with WiFi.
Zone / Coverage Area – Physical area a WiFi network serves.
Zero-Day Exploit / Network Vulnerability – Unpatched WiFi security flaw.
Z-Wave / Smart Home Wireless Protocol – Often alongside WiFi networks.
Zoning / Mesh Network Segmentation – Organizing coverage areas efficiently.
Published 17th Feb 2026