Joining and association difference

Question

Could anyone please explain the difference between "joining" (or rejoining) and "association" in Zigbee networks?
I thought they were quite the same but the below phrase found on the user guide is getting me high!
"If multiple rejoining attempts fail, or if NJ = 0xFF, the device attempts to join using association"
So please, what is the difference?
Many thanks,
G

Answer 1

They mean the same thing. Joining is the act of Associating where by Associated means that the Joining process is completed.