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Posted September 02, 2005
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Related Terms
WPA2-PSK RSS
WPA2 - Wi-Fi Protected Access 2
wireless
WiMAX

WiMAX USB dongle

wireless personal area network
wireless network engineer
guest wireless network
wireless mesh network
wireless network interface controller

Wireless networking is becoming increasingly important to businesses, both small and large. Use this chart to make
sense out of all the wireless local-area network standards.

Use this wireless networking standards chart to get quick information to help you differentiate between the available wireless
networking standards and choose which standard might be the right fit for your business. See the links below the chart for
further information on wireless networking standards.

Standard Data Rate Modulation Security Pros/Cons & More Info

Scheme
IEEE Up to 2Mbps FHSS or DSSS WEP & WPA This specification has been extended into 802.11b.
802.11 in the
2.4GHz band
IEEE Up to OFDM WEP & WPA Products that adhere to this standard are considered "Wi-Fi
802.11a 54Mbps in Certified." Eight available channels. Less potential for RF
(Wi-Fi) the 5GHz interference than 802.11b and 802.11g. Better than 802.11b at
band supporting multimedia voice, video and large-image applications

in densely populated user environments. Relatively shorter range

than 802.11b. Not interoperable with 802.11b.
IEEE Up to DSSS with WEP & WPA Products that adhere to this standard are considered "Wi-Fi
802.11b 11Mbps in CCK Certified." Not interoperable with 802.11a. Requires fewer access

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(Wi-Fi) the 2.4GHz points than 802.11a for coverage of large areas. Offers high-
band speed access to data at up to 300 feet from base station. 14
channels available in the 2.4GHz band (only 11 of which can be
used in the U.S. due to FCC regulations) with only three non-

overlapping channels.
IEEE Up to OFDM above WEP & WPA Products that adhere to this standard are considered "Wi-Fi
802.11g 54Mbps in 20Mbps, DSSS Certified." May replace 802.11b. Improved security
(Wi-Fi) the 2.4GHz with CCK below enhancements over 802.11. Compatible with 802.11b. 14
band 20Mbps channels available in the 2.4GHz band (only 11 of which can be
used in the U.S. due to FCC regulations) with only three non-
overlapping channels.
IEEE Specifies OFDM DES3 and AES Commonly referred to as WiMAX or less commonly as
802.16 WiMAX in WirelessMAN or the Air Interface Standard, IEEE 802.16 is a
(WiMAX) the 10 to 66 specification for fixed broadband wireless metropolitan access
GHz range networks (MANs)
IEEE Added OFDM DES3 and AES Commonly referred to as WiMAX or less commonly as
802.16a support for WirelessMAN or the Air Interface Standard, IEEE 802.16 is a
(WiMAX) the 2 to 11 specification for fixed broadband wireless metropolitan access
GHz range. networks (MANs)
Bluetooth Up to 2Mbps FHSS PPTP, SSL or VPN No native support for IP, so it does not support TCP/IP and
in the wireless LAN applications well. Not originally created to support
2.45GHz wireless LANs. Best suited for connecting PDAs, cell phones and

band PCs in short intervals.

HomeRF Up to FHSS Independent Note: HomeRF is no longer being supported by any vendors or
10Mbps in network IP working groups. Intended for use in homes, not enterprises.
the 2.4GHZ addresses for each Range is only 150 feet from base station. Relatively inexpensive
band network. Data is to set up and maintain. Voice quality is always good because it
sent with a 56-bit continuously reserves a chunk of bandwidth for voice services.
encryption Responds well to interference because of frequency-hopping
algorithm. modulation.
HiperLAN/1 Up to CSMA/CA Per-session Only in Europe. HiperLAN is totally ad-hoc, requiring no
(Europe) 20Mbps in encryption and configuration and no central controller. Doesn't provide real
the 5GHz individual isochronous services. Relatively expensive to operate and
band authentication. maintain. No guarantee of bandwidth.
HiperLAN/2 Up to OFDM Strong security Only in Europe. Designed to carry ATM cells, IP packets, Firewire
(Europe) 54Mbps in features with packets (IEEE 1394) and digital voice (from cellular phones).
the 5GHz support for Better quality of service than HiperLAN/1 and guarantees
band individual bandwidth.
authentication and
per-session
encryption keys.
OpenAir Pre-802.11 CSMA/CA with OpenAir doesn't OpenAir is the proprietary protocol from Proxim. All OpenAir
protocol, MAC implement any products are based on Proxim's module.
using retransmissions encryption at the

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Frequency MAC layer, but

Hopping and generates Network

0.8 and ID based on a
1.6 Mb/s bit password (Security
rate ID)

For more information on wireless networking standards, visit the following links:

The Challenges of Cloud Integration Download

Preparing for the Internet of Things: What

Download
You Need to Know

802.11 Planet Live: The latest wireless news from Jupitermedia's 802.11 Planet Conference and Expo.
802.11 Planet: A source for Wi-Fi- news and technology.
Wireless Networking Reference - Standards: An index of wireless networking resources on the Web from Practically
Networked.
WLAN Management Considerations: Installing a WLAN means it has to be managed.
Understanding WLAN Routers: Why even use a WLAN router?
Maximizing WLAN Performance: The need for higher data rates and techniques to improve performance of WLANs is
becoming crucial to support data-intense applications.
Wireless Home Networking - Wi-Fi Standards: How to choose?
Setting Up a Secure Wireless Network : What you need to know to keep your WLAN secure.

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