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What is 802.11a/b/g?
802.11 is the standard that the IEEE (Institute of Electronic and Electrical) have given to wireless. The first one supported a maximum bandwidth of only 2Mbps which meant that it was too slow for most applications, hence the reason for creating new standards.
802.11a
802.11a was predominately based at the business market. This standard supports bandwidth up to 54Mbps in a 5 GHz range. This higher frequency has limitations in the range of the signal so often it has difficulty for the wireless signal to penetrate walls and other obstructions. However, this does create the fastest maximum speed and can support multiple, simultaneous users and also because of the frequency avoids interference from other devices, for example microwaves or cordless phones. This standard has in the past been costly to integrate into products.
802.11b
This standard is lower cost and therefore is preferred by home users. This uses a 2.4GHz frequency which is not regulated in the same way as the 802.11a frequency. As a result it can experience interference from microwave ovens, cordless phones and other devices. This is a lower cost standard to integrate into products although it can face interference it is not as easily obstructed.
802.11g
This standard looks to combine the best of both the 802.11a and 802.11b so that the bandwidth can be supported up to 54 Mbps and uses 2.4 GHz for a better range. This product is backward compatible so, for example, if you have an access point running 802.11g it will be able to interoperate and work with 802.11b wireless network adapters, etc.
More manufacturers now have 802.11g products as it benefits from the fast speed, supports multiple users and the signal is not obstructed like the 802.11b. However, this is standard will come with a price tag as it costs more than the previous standards.
802.11 n
This is currently known as “Draft-N” again it is a wireless standard, which is meant to operate at higher speeds and allow the transmission of files requiring a higher Mbps.
More information can be found here on Draft-N.
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