Wireless N

Posted on June 6, 2008
Filed Under Internet, Networking, Security |

I spend a lot of time in computer stores. Far too much time in fact.

On one of my excursions recently I noticed the proliferation of wireless “N” products that are popping up on the high tech vendors’ shelves. And I’m not sure what to make of it.

Wireless networks have of course been around for a number of years and have become pretty much standard. Aside from the wireless networks we have in our homes and businesses, the same technology can be used, and is used, to connect buildings, span great distances that would be prohibitively expensive to connect with the likes of fibre optics, and even in the local coffee shop.

IEEE 802.11 is the set of standards that dictate how wireless networks should operate and allow interoperability between different vendors’ wireless products. For example, an 802.11b wireless router from any vendor should (in theory) work with any other vendor’s wireless products.

Over the years the 802.11 standard has grown up from the original specification in 1997 with a maximum data rate of 2 Mbps through to:

You might be wondering why 802.11n isn’t on the list. I mean, that’s what we’re talking about isn’t it, 802.11n? Well, yes we are but 802.11n isn’t standardized yet, it’s still a draft standard and is expected to be finalized in September 2008. The products cropping out there are based on version 2.0 of the 802.11n standard that was voted upon on March 9, 2007.

The benefits of 802.11n will be greater speed, a maximum data rate of anywhere between 200 and 300 Mbps, and greater range. The draft technology employs a new technology called multiple input, multiple output (MIMO). MIMO uses multiple antennas to carry multiple streams of data and thus improve performance. It also uses “channel bonding” where 2 separate channels are used at the same time and a technique called packet aggregation that packs more data into a single data transmission.

So is it time to jump on the 802.11n bandwagon? It depends. The release of pre-standardized equipment means that there’s no guarantee that products from different manufacturers will work together.

If you are going to use this equipment in a home or a small office, that may not be a problem as long as you buy all of your equipment from the same manufacturer. There can be a great argument for moving ahead now in such a case if you are otherwise faced with running a network cable in a difficult place. The speed of the pre-standard equipment rivals if not exceeds standard copper cable.

In a diverse environment where there might be a number of different manufacturers’ equipment in place it might be wise to hold off however. The 802.11g standard is proven and standardized and you can be pretty sure most if not all of the equipment will support it.

In either case though, most off the shelf Wireless N products also support the older a, b, and g standards. If you’re alright with some of your equipment (made by the same manufacturer) running faster than others, and gambling that your 802.11n investment may not fit the standard when it’s released, the new Wireless N products my just be what the doctor ordered.

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