a, b, g, n... whut?

[hinarei]

Had a question thrown at me the other day, asking about wireless networking. If you've got a new laptop, chances are its capable of not having to use wires to connect to networks and internets

it'll do this using one of probably 4, perhaps more IEEE standard data rates. Your wireless router becomes your wireless local area network (WLAN), and wiil broadcast a signal supporting one of those data rates: 802.11a (54Mb per second maximum data rate at 5Ghz radio frequency), 802.11b (11Mb @ 2.4Ghz), 802.11g (54Mb @ 2.4Ghz) or 802.11n (300Mb @ 2.4Ghz/5Ghz).

If your wireless access point (AP - box that broadcasts a signal out, probably part of the router) can support the n standard, and your wireless network card in your laptop can support the n standard, then (at a short distance) you can connect to it and get pretty high speeds of up to 300Mb (typically, though, only about 75-100Mb)

if it supports n, and your laptop supports g, you can get maximum speeds of 54Mb.

If your laptop supports n, but your AP can only give out g standard, then you'll also get 54Mb.

So your equipment and the letters stamped on it will tell you that you can have a wireless network and what sort of data speeds you can expect. See IEEE 802.11 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for more

That's what the a/b/g/n letters mean

[t0k0l0v3r]

and if your lappy is older (like mine) you have to but a wireless internet card and install its software, though it isn't permanently attached to the computer (unless you supergule it.)

oh and in case you wonder, i still use hardpoints to connect, simply because its a faster connection.

[hinarei]

yes, you can generally get a faster and more reliable connection while wired. It's only common sense but if you don't want to cable up your house, and can put up with some small box in the corner instead, then that's not going to be much of an issue

Although I'd advise large downloads over wires still

[Kataja76]

Eh?

WLAN is a part of everyday life over here. Even I tried to join the wireless generation with my desktop and a USB device to avoid tripping on cables, but it turned out to require too much expertise. The Linux world is (was?) not quite ready for the revolution. I have seen friends' laptops with WinXPs and incorporated WLAN cards working like a dream - if your needs are modest, chances are you might not even notice the difference. Besides, free WLAN access is spreading in public buildings, such as universities.

Two big problems are not to be forgotten. The first is data security. If you neglect protecting your connection (which happens all too often in Finland), your neighbour will easily, sometimes even unwillingly, use it. With some effort, he or she can intercept your unencrypted transmissions as well. The second problem is that the larger your apartment and the thicker the walls, the more probable it is your base station cannot cover the whole area (and still the neighbour has good access to the signal in at least one room).

[LordOkageSpencer]

Well, up untill some time ago I was useing a data card modem tat ran off cell phone towers. Kinda slow, so I had some in-home internet install with a router and it works alot better. no doubt that cell towers are getting better, but they still dont stand up to hard wires yet, wireless broadcasted or not.

[Z]

Thanks bunches matey - this really helped out

Now to await zee new lappy coming in the mail

[hinarei]

glad it was helpful

the info's out there, sure, but I hope I outlined what you were asking

[Betong Åsna]

Or ... you can get a Mac