s, now termed "fat" access points, began to appear after the ratification of the IEEE 802.11b standard in 1999, and provided a full range of processing and control functions within each unit, including: security features, such as authentication and encryption support access control based on lists or filters SNMP configuration capabilities Transmit power level setting, RF channel selection, security encryption and other configurable parameters required user configuration of the access point, typically using a web-based interface. As well as providing this basic functionality, access points designed for home or small office wireless networking typically include a number of additional networking features, as shown in Table 3-1. Wireless Network Physical Architecture Table 3-1: Optional Access Point Functionality Feature Description Internet gateway Supporting a range of functions such as: routing, Network Address Translation, DHCP server providing dynamic IP addresses to client stations, and Virtual Private Network (VPN) passthrough. Switching hub Several wired Ethernet ports may be included that provide switching hub capabilities for a number of Ethernet devices. Wireless bridge or repeater Access point that can function as a relay station, to extend the operating range of another access point, or as a point-to-point wireless bridge between two networks. Network storage server Internal hard drives or ports to connect external storage, providing centralised file storage and back-up for wireless stations. Figure 3-10 illustrates a range of access point types, including weatherproofed equipment for outdoor coverage. In contrast to the first generation "fat" access point described above, slimmed-down "thin" access points are also available that limit access point capabilities to the essential RF communication functions and rely on the centralisation of control functions in a wireless LAN switch. Daink Figure 3-10: First Generation Wireless Access Points (courtesy of Belkin Corporation, D-Link (Europe) Ltd. and Linksys 