Troubleshooting
What’s the difference between 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11a?
Currently there are three levels of wireless networking standards, which transmit data at very different maximum speeds. Each is based on the designation 802.11(x), so named by the IEEE, the board that is responsible for certifying networking standards. 802.11b transmits information at 11Mbps; 802.11a and 802.11g work at 54Mbps. See the following chart for more detailed information.
Wireless Comparison
Wireless | 802.11b | 802.11g | 802.11a | |
Technology | ||||
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Speed | 11Mbps | 54Mbps | 54Mbps | |
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| 2.4GHz - | 2.4GHz - |
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| unlicensed band, | unlicensed band, |
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| may interfere | may interfere |
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Frequency | with common | with common | 5GHz - uncrowded | |
household | household | band | ||
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| devices: cordless | devices: cordless |
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| phones and | phones and |
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| microwave ovens | microwave ovens |
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| Compatible with | Compatible with | Incompatible with | |
Compatibility | 802.11b or | |||
802.11g | 802.11b | |||
| 802.11g | |||
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| Depends on | Depends on | Less interference - | |
| interference - | interference - | ||
Range | range is | |||
typically | typically | |||
| typically | |||
| ft. indoors | ft. indoors | ||
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| Slow adoption for | |
| Mature - widely | Expected to | consumers - | |
Adoption | continue to grow | more popular in | ||
adopted | ||||
| in popularity | business | ||
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| environments | |
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Price | Inexpensive | More expensive | Most expensive | |
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