Whats best for my WLAN?

Alrighty then. This will no doubt be a bit boring for most of you. For that I apologize. But some have requested clarity.

That said, I've had a few buddies ask 'after they purchased routers for their LAN' what were the differences between 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g and how did they affect their network capabilities. So, after reading a article and subsequently calling a friend, head engineer for an ABC affiliate station, I figured an overview would assist some, educate others and just iterate to the vast majority what they already knew.

The basic goals of anyone attempting to set up a WiFi area are strength of signal and connection speed. In order to give due justice to the progression over the last few years we will give a little history lesson.

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) products are based on standards which were set forth from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). These standards were used to transmit data, video and voice information across radio waves.

In 1997, the IEEE created our first WLAN standard and called it 802.11. This standard had a limited bandwidth of 2 Mbps and used a radio signaling frequency of 2.4 Ghz. This standard is too slow for most of our current applications but the radio frequency is the key point to remember here.

Then in 1999, 802.11b hit the scene. This supported a larger bandwidth of 11 Mbps (greater speed) and also used the same radio frequency of 2.4 Ghz as the original. Key point to be remembered, this frequency is utilized by most household appliances: microwave ovens, cordless phones, etc. What does this mean to me? Well, if you've set up your network in a house with these items they could interfere with your connection.

The development of 802.11a occurred simultaneously with 802.11b. 802.11a supports a larger bandwidth, up to 54 Mbps, but uses a radio frequency range of 5 Ghz. The higher radio frequency limits your range of your network primarily because it makes it harder for the signal to penetrate walls and other household obstructions. Further, due to 802.11a and 802.11b using two different frequencies they were NOT compatible.

What I've told some friends trying to decipher the differences is some manufacturers out there offer network 802.11a/b gear which will allow compatibility. But, then I follow that response with the fact that just a couple years ago, 802.11g was introduced. This option attempted to combine the best of both a/b worlds with bandwidth up to 54 Mbps while utilizing the 2.4 Ghz radio frequency for increased range of their signals. Further, backwards compatibility exists between g and b, meaning g would work with b network adapters and vice versa.

Now, in terms of pros and cons, 802.11a pros consist of the fastest speeds, supports more users and the smaller radio frequencies prevent signal interference from other household devices. Its cons are highest cost and shorter signal range. 802.11b pros include lowest cost and best signal range and not as easily obstructed. Cons are slowest speed, supports fewer simultaneous users, and interference from appliances is greater. 802.11g pros are fastest speed, supports multiple users and signal range is best and not as easily obstructed. Its cons are costs more than b and appliances may interfere.

In closing, I hope this little lesson gave some clarity and understanding as to the history of the 802.11 standards and which one offers the best answer to your WiFi network questions.