Explain Wireless Ethernet Standards

Last Updated on Tue, 03 Oct 2023 | Operating Systems

IEEE 802.11 is the standard that specifies connectivity for wireless networks. IEEE 802.11, or Wi-Fi, refers to the collective group of standards—802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. These protocols specify the frequencies, speeds, and other capabilities of the different Wi-Fi standards:

■ 802.11a: Devices conforming to the 802.11a standard allow WLANs to achieve data rates as high as 54 Mbps. IEEE 802.11a devices operate in the 5-GHz radio frequency range and within a maximum range of 150 feet (45.7 m).

■ 802.11b: 802.11b operates in the 2.4-GHz frequency range, with a maximum theoretical data rate of 11 Mbps. These devices operate within a maximum range of 300 feet (91 m).

■ 802.11g: IEEE 802.11g provides the same theoretical maximum speed as 802.11a, which is 54 Mbps, but operates in the same 2.4-GHz spectrum as 802.11b. Unlike 802.11a, 802.11g is backward-compatible with 802.11b. 802.11g also has a maximum range of 300 feet (91 m).

■ 802.11n: 802.11n is a newer wireless standard that has a theoretical bandwidth of 540 Mbps and operates in either the 2.4-GHz or 5-GHz frequency range with a maximum range of 984 feet (250 m).

Table 8-4 summarizes Wireless Ethernet standards.

Table 8-4 Wireless Ethernet Standards

Table 8-4 Wireless Ethernet Standards

Standard

Bandwidth

Frequency

Range

Interoperability

IEEE 802.11a

Up to 54 Mbps

5-GHz band

150 ft (45.7 m)

Not interoperable with 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n

IEEE 802.11b

Up to 11 Mbps

2.4-GHz band

300 ft (91 m)

Interoperable with 802.11g

IEEE 802.11g

Up to 54 Mbps

2.4-GHz band

300 ft (91 m)

Interoperable with 802.11b

IEEE 802.11n (prestandard)

Up to 540 Mbps

2.4-GHz or 5-GHz band

984 ft (250 m)

Interoperable with 802.11b and 802.11g

Continue reading here: Explain the OSI and Tcpip Data Models

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  • Wireless Networking: A Beginner's Guide
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Readers' Questions

  • sakari
    Which of the following wireless standards is now called wifi 4?
    2 months ago
    • 802.11n is now called Wi-Fi 4.
    • KIRSTI
      What uses the 2.4ghz band and runs at 54 mbps?
      2 months ago
      • One example of a device that uses the 2.4GHz band and runs at 54 Mbps is the 802.11g Wi-Fi standard. This was a popular Wi-Fi standard used in older devices such as laptops, smartphones, and routers, providing wireless connectivity at speeds up to 54 Mbps.
      • consolata
        Which 802.11 standard runs on 5ghz?
        3 months ago
        • The 802.11ac, 802.11n, and 802.11a standards can operate on the 5GHz frequency band.
        • Hildigrim
          Which of the following wireless specifications provides the greatest data throughput?
          3 months ago
          • The following wireless specification provides the greatest data throughput: - Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) offers higher data throughput compared to previous Wi-Fi standards.
          • karolin
            Which ieee standard defines dualband wireless networks with bandwidth up to 300 gbps?
            4 months ago
            • The IEEE 802.11ay standard defines dual-band wireless networks with bandwidth up to 300 Gbps.
            • simone
              Which of the following 802.11 standards has the maximum throughput of 11 mbps?
              4 months ago
              • The 802.11b standard has the maximum throughput of 11 Mbps.
              • doreen
                Which wireless standard provides a 54 mbps maximum transfer rate?
                4 months ago
                • The 802.11g wireless standard provides a maximum transfer rate of 54 Mbps.
                • Antonietta Mancini
                  Which wireless standard would give newer devices the maximum possible transfer rate?
                  4 months ago
                  • The newer wireless standards that offer the maximum possible transfer rate for devices are Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Wi-Fi 6E. Wi-Fi 6 offers higher data rates and improved overall performance compared to previous standards, allowing for faster and more efficient wireless connections. Wi-Fi 6E is an extension of Wi-Fi 6 that utilizes additional 6GHz frequency band, providing even more available spectrum and less interference for devices to achieve higher transfer rates.
                  • Liviano
                    Which 802.11 wireless standard has the greatest rate of data throughput?
                    4 months ago
                    • The 802.11ax (also known as Wi-Fi 6) wireless standard has the greatest rate of data throughput among the various 802.11 standards. It is designed to provide higher data rates, improved performance in crowded environments, and better energy efficiency compared to its predecessors.
                    • artemio
                      Which of the following 802.11 wireless standards operates in the 6ghz frequency band?
                      6 months ago
                      • The 802.11ax standard operates in the 6GHz frequency band.
                      • veijo
                        Which of the following 802.11 wireless standards has a theoretical throughput of 11 mbps?
                        7 months ago
                        • The 802.11b standard has a theoretical throughput of 11 Mbps.
                        • Paladin
                          Which of the following wireless network standards uses a frequency of 5ghz?
                          9 months ago
                          • The wireless network standard that uses a frequency of 5GHz is 802.11a.
                          • Stella
                            Which ieee standard describes wireless communication quizlet?
                            9 months ago
                            • IEEE 802.11 is the standard that defines wireless communication.
                            • Riku Soininen
                              Which of the following wireless networking standards uses a frequency of 5ghz?
                              9 months ago
                              • The wireless networking standard that uses a frequency of 5GHz is IEEE 802.11a.
                              • THOMAS
                                Which data transmission rate is defined by the ieee 802.11b wireless standard?
                                9 months ago
                                • The IEEE 802.11b standard specifies a maximum data transmission rate of 11 Mbps.
                                • mandy
                                  Which networking standards is a family of standards wlan?
                                  9 months ago
                                  • IEEE 802.11
                                  • kelley
                                    Which wireless standard has the highest data transfer rates?
                                    10 months ago
                                    • IEEE 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) has the highest data transfer rates, up to 1.3 Gbps in the 5 GHz frequency band.
                                    • elga
                                      Which data transmission rate is defined by the ieee 802.11b?
                                      10 months ago
                                      • IEEE 802.11b has a maximum data transmission rate of 11 Mbps.
                                      • semira idris
                                        What is the typical maximum range indoors defined for an 802.11g wireless network?
                                        10 months ago
                                        • The typical maximum range indoors for an 802.11g wireless network is roughly 100 meters, or 328 feet.
                                        • jean
                                          What is the ieee standard governing wireless networking?
                                          10 months ago
                                          • The IEEE 802.11 standards are the primary standards for wireless networking. These standards define the physical and media access control layers for wireless communication.
                                          • Sirja Uosukainen
                                            Which ieee standard describes wireless communication?
                                            10 months ago
                                            • IEEE 802.11 is the most commonly used standard for wireless communication. It is a set of media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specifications for implementing wireless local area network (WLAN) communications in the 2.4, 3.6, 5, and 60 GHz frequency bands.
                                            • teegan
                                              Which ieee wireless standards specify transmission speeds up to 54mbps?
                                              10 months ago
                                              • IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11g.
                                              • Shishay
                                                Which of these ieee wlans has the highest data rate?
                                                10 months ago
                                                • IEEE 802.11ac has the highest data rate, with speeds up to 866.7 Mbps.
                                                • lea
                                                  Which ieee standard can achieve a throughput of 54 mbps?
                                                  10 months ago
                                                  • The IEEE 802.11g standard can achieve a maximum throughput of 54 Mbps.
                                                  • leslie
                                                    What wireless standard can operate at speeds of up to 150 mbps?
                                                    10 months ago
                                                    • IEEE 802.11n
                                                    • ASMERET
                                                      Which wifi standards use the 2.4ghz frequency?
                                                      10 months ago
                                                      • The 802.11b and 802.11g Wi-Fi standards both use the 2.4GHz frequency.
                                                      • Concordia
                                                        Which wireless networking standard uses the 2.4 ghz band and has a maximum bandwidth of 54 mbps?
                                                        10 months ago
                                                        • IEEE 802.11g
                                                        • pamphila
                                                          Which ieee standard operates at wireless frequencies in both the 5 ghz and 2.4 ghz ranges?
                                                          10 months ago
                                                          • IEEE 802.11
                                                          • LANFRANCO
                                                            Which of the following are frequencies defined by 802.11 committees for wireless networking?
                                                            10 months ago
                                                            • A) 2.4GHz B) 5GHz C) 36GHz D) 60GHz A) 2.4GHz B) 5GHz
                                                            • tom
                                                              What is the maximum theoretical throughput of 802.11n?
                                                              10 months ago
                                                              • The maximum theoretical throughput of 802.11n is up to 600 Mbps.
                                                              • meghan moore
                                                                Which wireless networking standard supports data throughput of up to 11 mbps?
                                                                10 months ago
                                                                • IEEE 802.11b
                                                                • Irmina Lombardo
                                                                  What is the maximum speed supported by 802.11g?
                                                                  10 months ago
                                                                  • 802.11g has a maximum theoretical speed of 54 Mbps.
                                                                  • christian
                                                                    Which ieee wireless standards specify transmission speeds up to 54 mbps?
                                                                    10 months ago
                                                                    • IEEE 802.11g and IEEE 802.11n wireless standards specify transmission speeds up to 54 Mbps.
                                                                    • SM
                                                                      Which wireless standard operates in the 5ghz frequency?
                                                                      10 months ago
                                                                      • IEEE 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) operates in the 5 GHz frequency.
                                                                      • henrik
                                                                        What is the theoretical maximum range of the 802.11a wireless networking standard?
                                                                        10 months ago
                                                                        • The theoretical maximum range of the 802.11a wireless networking standard is approximately 150 meters (492 feet) in outdoor environments with a clear line of sight.
                                                                        • teigan johnston
                                                                          Which wireless standard operates at up to 54mbps to a maximum of 150 feet?
                                                                          10 months ago
                                                                          • IEEE 802.11g
                                                                          • orlando
                                                                            Which of the following is not a standard for wireless ethernet networks?
                                                                            10 months ago
                                                                            • Bluetooth
                                                                            • Sven
                                                                              What iswires ethernet standard?
                                                                              1 year ago
                                                                              • The Ethernet standard is a set of rules governing the physical and data link layers of Ethernet networks. The standard defines the type of cable, the electrical characteristics of the transmission, the signaling rate, and the configuration of network nodes. It also defines the data packets transmitted between nodes, and the procedures for detecting and recovering from errors.
                                                                              • jens
                                                                                Which ieee 802.11 specifies distance 91m?
                                                                                1 year ago
                                                                                • IEEE 802.11 does not specify any specific distances for communications. The maximum distance for communications is determined by the power output of the radio and its antenna.