802.11a: Connecting over short distances
This standard covers the 5GHz band; devices that comply with it are incompat-
ible with the 2.4GHz-band b, g, and n standards. 802.11a is most commonly
found in businesses that require a high-speed wireless network connection to
transfer files between desktop or laptop computers. If your primary goal is con-
necting to the Internet at hotspots -- without getting all business-obsessed
about it -- you can safely ignore this standard.
802.11b: Opting for the basic standard
802.11b is the standard that started the boom -- and it's best-suited for con-
necting to the Internet or for streaming audio or video.
The theoretical maximum bandwidth (in effect, how fast data can be
transferred or transmitted) is 11 Mbps (See the following section for a
detailed explanation.)
This is the standard hotspots currently use most often.
Both the 802.11g and 802.11n standards are, or will be, backward-com-
patible with this standard.
Backward compatibility -- a requirement of the 802.11 standard -- means
that any new versions must be designed to work and play well with
older versions.
802.11g: The speedier standard
Ratified in 2003, this standard is quickly becoming the favorite for folks setting
up home networks (and yes, a RV counts as "home" -- but you knew that).
The theoretical maximum bandwidth is 54 Mbps.
It's most commonly found in home or business networks as well as
newly established hotspots. Some owners of established hotspots are
upgrading aging 802.11b equipment with new equipment that conforms
to 802.11g as well.
It's backward-compatible with the 802.11b standard.
802.11g is, maybe, more than a home user needs, but it's still well-suited
for connecting to the Internet for basic information. It also gets high
Part I: The Wonderful World of Wireless Fidelity
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