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802.11 wireless devices (select models only)
A computer with an 802.11 wireless device can access a wireless local area network (commonly referred to as wireless network, wireless LAN, or WLAN), which is composed of other computers and accessories linked by a wireless router or a wireless access point:
●A home or small office WLAN typically uses a wireless router, which enables several wireless and wired computers to share an Internet connection, a printer, and files without additional pieces of hardware or software.
NOTE The terms wireless access point and wireless router are often used interchangeably.
●A
802.11 wireless devices include:
●802.11b
●802.11b/g
●802.11a/b/g
Computers with 802.11 wireless devices may support 1 or more of 3 industry standards:
●802.11b supports data rates of up to 11 Mbps and operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz.
●802.11g supports data rates of up to 54 Mbps and operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. An 802.11g WLAN device is backward compatible with 802.11b devices, so they can operate on the same network.
●802.11a supports data rates of up to 54 Mbps and operates at a frequency of 5 GHz. 802.11a is not compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g.
For information on identifying the wireless device in the computer, refer to “Identifying an 802.11 wireless device.”
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