Wireless LAN Standards

Wireless LAN Standards

Use this chart to get some quick information to help you differentiate between the available wireless networking standards and choose which standard might be the right fit for your business. See the links below the chart for further information on wireless networking standards.

Standard

Data Rate

Modulation Scheme

Security

Pros/Cons

IEEE 802.11

Up to 2Mbps in the 2.4GHz band

FHSS or DSSS

WEP & WPA

This specification has been extended into 802.11b.

IEEE 802.11a
(Wi-Fi)

Up to 54Mbps in the 5GHz band

OFDM

WEP & WPA

Products that adhere to this standard are considered "Wi-Fi Certified." Eight available channels. Less potential for RF interference than 802.11b and 802.11g. Better than 802.11b at supporting multimedia voice, video and large-image applications in densely populated user environments. Relatively shorter range than 802.11b. Not interoperable with 802.11b.

IEEE 802.11b
(Wi-Fi)

Up to 11Mbps in the 2.4GHz band

DSSS with CCK

WEP & WPA

Products that adhere to this standard are considered "Wi-Fi Certified." Not interoperable with 802.11a. Requires fewer access points than 802.11a for coverage of large areas. Offers high-speed access to data at up to 300 feet from base station. 14 channels available in the 2.4GHz band (only 11 of which can be used in the U.S. due to FCC regulations) with only three non-overlapping channels.

IEEE 802.11g
(Wi-Fi)

Up to 54Mbps in the 2.4GHz band

OFDM above 20Mbps, DSSS with CCK below 20Mbps

WEP & WPA

Products that adhere to this standard are considered "Wi-Fi Certified." May replace 802.11b. Improved security enhancements over 802.11. Compatible with 802.11b. 14 channels available in the 2.4GHz band (only 11 of which can be used in the U.S. due to FCC regulations) with only three non-overlapping channels.

Bluetooth

Up to 2Mbps in the 2.45GHz band

FHSS

PPTP, SSL or VPN

No native support for IP, so it does not support TCP/IP and wireless LAN applications well. Not originally created to support wireless LANs. Best suited for connecting PDAs, cell phones and PCs in short intervals.

HomeRF

Up to 10Mbps in the 2.4GHZ band

FHSS

Independent network IP addresses for each network. Data is sent with a 56-bit encryption algorithm.

Note: HomeRF is no longer being supported by any vendors or working groups. Intended for use in homes, not enterprises. Range is only 150 feet from base station. Relatively inexpensive to set up and maintain. Voice quality is always good because it continuously reserves a chunk of bandwidth for voice services. Responds well to interference because of frequency-hopping modulation.

HiperLAN/1 (Europe)

Up to 20Mbps in the 5GHz band

CSMA/CA

Per-session encryption and individual authentication.

Only in Europe. HiperLAN is totally ad-hoc, requiring no configuration and no central controller. Doesn't provide real isochronous services. Relatively expensive to operate and maintain. No guarantee of bandwidth.

HiperLAN/2 (Europe)

Up to 54Mbps in the 5GHz band

OFDM

Strong security features with support for individual authentication and per-session encryption keys.

Only in Europe. Designed to carry ATM cells, IP packets, Firewire packets (IEEE 1394) and digital voice (from cellular phones). Better quality of service than HiperLAN/1 and guarantees bandwidth.