Glossary
Plain-language definitions of terms you will encounter across this wiki. Brand and model names are always kept in English.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Adapter | A USB Wi-Fi card that plugs into a computer to provide wireless connectivity. |
| Access Point (AP) | A device that lets wireless clients connect to a network. Enabling AP mode turns an adapter into a hotspot. |
| Monitor mode | A wireless mode that captures raw 802.11 frames without associating to a network — the basis of Wi-Fi auditing. |
| Packet injection | Sending custom wireless frames on the air, used for attacks and testing. |
| Driver | Kernel software that lets the OS talk to the hardware. In-kernel drivers are built into Linux; out-of-tree drivers are installed separately. |
| DKMS | A Linux framework that rebuilds out-of-tree kernel modules automatically when the kernel is updated. |
| Firmware | The low-level software stored on the device itself. |
| Firmware update | Replacing the firmware on a device to add features or fix bugs. |
| Troubleshooting | The process of diagnosing and fixing a problem. |
| Compatibility matrix | A table showing which adapters work with which operating systems, chipsets and drivers. |
| Getting started / Quick start | A short guide that walks you through first-time setup. |
| Antenna gain | A measure (in dBi) of how much an antenna concentrates RF energy in a direction. |
| Sub-GHz | Radio frequencies below 1 GHz (for example 433 MHz), used by the Flipper Zero. |
| Software-defined radio (SDR) | Radio implemented partly in software, allowing one device to receive and transmit many frequencies. |
| NFC / RFID | Contactless card technologies (13.56 MHz NFC and 125 kHz RFID) used by readers and the Flipper Zero. |
| PC/SC | The standard software framework for accessing smart card readers on a computer. |
Conventions used in this wiki
- Brand and model names (for example
AWUS036ACM,WiFi Pineapple) are never translated. - The first time an English technical term appears, it is explained inline.
- Route paths in this wiki use the form
/alfa-network/— see the Product Registry for the full list.
If a term is missing or a definition is unclear, report it via the Review Queue.