Station (networking)
Encyclopedia
In IEEE 802.11
(Wi-Fi) terminology, a station (STA) is a device that has the capability to use the 802.11 protocol. For example, a station may be a laptop
, a desktop PC, PDA
, access point
or Wi-Fi phone. A STA may be fixed, mobile or portable. Generally in wireless networking terminology, a station, wireless client and node
are often used interchangeably, and no strict distinction existing between these terms. With a station also being referred as transmitter or receiver based on its transmission characteristics. IEEE 802.11-2007 formally defines station as: Any device that contains an IEEE 802.11-conformant medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface to the wireless medium (WM).
IEEE 802.11
IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards for implementing wireless local area network computer communication in the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands. They are created and maintained by the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee . The base version of the standard IEEE 802.11-2007 has had subsequent...
(Wi-Fi) terminology, a station (STA) is a device that has the capability to use the 802.11 protocol. For example, a station may be a laptop
Laptop
A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...
, a desktop PC, PDA
PDA
A PDA is most commonly a Personal digital assistant, also known as a Personal data assistant, a mobile electronic device.PDA may also refer to:In science, medicine and technology:...
, access point
Wireless access point
In computer networking, a wireless access point is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or related standards...
or Wi-Fi phone. A STA may be fixed, mobile or portable. Generally in wireless networking terminology, a station, wireless client and node
Node (networking)
In communication networks, a node is a connection point, either a redistribution point or a communication endpoint . The definition of a node depends on the network and protocol layer referred to...
are often used interchangeably, and no strict distinction existing between these terms. With a station also being referred as transmitter or receiver based on its transmission characteristics. IEEE 802.11-2007 formally defines station as: Any device that contains an IEEE 802.11-conformant medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface to the wireless medium (WM).