Where will you be using your wireless connection? If you're using
only the hotspots in places like truck stops, coffee shops, motels, or RV
parks, then you can narrow your standard choices pretty drastically. If
you'll be mixing your use between highway, home, and office, you'll need
a standard that can handle all three. You'll also need to make certain
that any equipment you purchase conforms to a standard that's in wide
use and is interoperable (that is, plays nice) with other equipment that
conforms to the same standard.
Will you be using Wi-Fi for purposes other than connecting to the
Internet? If connecting to the Internet to use e-mail or download basic
travel information is your one and only goal, then you'll probably choose
a different standard than you would if (for example) you were looking to
get into head-to-head gaming or transferring large files (such as music or
video) from one computer to another.
Answering questions like these can give you a good grasp on why you want
wireless capabilities in your life in the first place. Then you can move ahead
with selecting a Wi-Fi standard that does the job for you.
Focusing on the Front-Runners
Although approximately 13 standards for wireless connectivity exist, fortu-
nately, you don't need to become familiar with each and every standard. As
you delve deeper into the wireless world, the standards referenced most
often are 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g. Another standard that you'll run
across -- yet to be ratified but lurking on the horizon -- is 802.11n. These
four standards define the protocols and specifications used to transfer data
via radio signals -- so they're the only ones for which you need a good work-
ing knowledge. Here's the short course:
The 802.11a standard specifies operation in the 5.0GHz band.
The 802.11b, g, and n standards specify operation in the 2.4GHz fre-
quency band.
Because 802.11a operates at a higher frequency, it has a shorter
range and it's more likely to be adversely affected by obstructions.
Consequently, this standard has found its niche in the wall-free world
of corporate cubicles.
So which of these standards can do the job for you? Well, the following sec-
tions offer a brief rundown of the major attributes of the standards you'll
encounter most often.
By getting a basic handle on standards, you can make better choices when
you're buying wireless gear. Armed with the information in this chapter, you
can march to Chapter 3 for details of getting geared up.
Chapter 2: Selecting a Standard
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