A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a local-area network in which digital devices communicate through a wireless medium such as radio or infrared instead of copper or fiber-optic cable. Most WLAN equipment today is based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series of standards, popularly known as Wi-Fi technology. All information given on the right refers to devices conforming to one or more of these standards.
WiFi Information
- IEEE 802.11b specifies operation in the 2.4-GHz band (2001-2497 MHz) at speeds up to 11 megabits per second (Mbps).
- IEEE 802.11a specifies operation in the 5-GHz band (5150-5825 MHz) at speeds up to 54 Mbps. The higher frequencies used by 802.11a limit its typical transmission range to about 60% that of IEEE 802.11b.
- IEEE 802.11g specifies operation in the 2.4-GHz band at 802.11a speeds and 802.11b ranges.