802.11 terminology

STA - a wireless station

AP - a wireless Access Point

BSS - a basic service set

SSID - service set idenitifier

DS - the distribution system

ESS - extended service set

AP

AP

STA

STA

STA

BSS 1

BSS 2

Distribution System

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Basic Service Sets are connected together through a Distribtion System (DS). The combined system of BSSs and DS is called an Extended Service Set (ESS).