Wireless Networks and their Standards

 

Wireless Networks

 

Source:commotionwireless.net 

The type of wireless networks and standards that one should know! While, you can avoid costly, time-consuming, and often tedious process of running cables between various equipment, one should also consider the different types of wireless networks such as LAN, WAN, PAN, MAN. Similarly, there are different standards of wireless viz., B, G, N, and AC to be figured out, depending on your best fits/needs.

Wireless Networks

1.    Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN): is usually used for short range networks in a small area. A WPAN generally connects devices within a person’s reach, possibly extending up to about 30 feet. WPAN uses Bluetooth technology interconnecting devices such as headset to a laptop on your desk.

2.    Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): uses radio waves unlike Bluetooth technology like WPANs. There is usually at least one cable that is the access point for internet access, such as a wired internet connection going into a router, which then broadcasts the wireless signal to other devices. The range can be confined to a single room or home or spread across an entire building or campus with the use of spread-spectrum or OFDM technologies.

3.    Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN): is used over large areas, such as cities or countries, via multiple satellite systems, antenna sites or mobile phone signals. With WWAN, you can stay connected when other forms of network access are unavailable.

4.    Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN): can connect several different WLANs in a metropolitan area, such as different buildings in a city.

However, from these four options, you can use WPAN and WLAN for personal and small businesses. Nonetheless, if you need coverage to extend to your entire house or large buildings, a WLAN is the choice for you.

Wireless Network Standards 

The other thing that you need to consider is the Wireless Network Standards viz., A, B, G, N, and AC. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) created the standard for Wi-Fi technology that all wireless routers follow, known as 802.11. The key difference is that Wi-Fi technologies B and G use the 2.4 GHz frequency; while A & AC use the 5 GHz frequency; and N uses both 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies. However, the choice for home and business will boil down to only three viz., G, N or AC.

Note: Routers that only support Wireless B are no longer manufactured.

1.    Wireless AC routers are the best option for small business because they have good broadcast capability, and allow for multiple devices to enjoy optimal performance at the same time. You may also enjoy added security features and server hosting capabilities, depending on the router you choose.

2.    Wireless N routers are good choice for home office wireless network. They support several computers and other electronic devices at one time, so the router will continue to perform even when running computers, entertainment systems, and other peripheral devices at once.

3.    Wireless G routers are not recommended for small offices, if you need to connect a lot of devices. This type of routers cannot be used to run complex programs or cloud applications on the internet.

In the nutshell, ensure that the wireless interfaces on your devices support your chosen technology, when purchasing a wireless router. Not all devices support Wireless AC, for instance.

Further, figuring out the right wireless network and be confusing. Thus, for home offices and small businesses, WLAN is the option because of its better range capabilities, and Wireless AC routers provide the opportunity to connect multiple devices to the network without any issue.

 

Now what is the difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz?

A 2.4 GHz connection travels longer in distance, though, the speed is slow. On the other hand, 5 GHz, travels shorter in distance, but with higher speed.