WiFi LAN of 802.11n
802.11n is a newer standard of WiFi LAN, or wireless local area network technology, subsequent to standards 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g. Its proper name is IEEE 802.11n, as it is a protocol developed by the international non-profit Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The number "11" indicates the IEEE working group assigned to 802 standards, and the "n" refers to a special task group within this body, known as TGn.The IEEE 802.11n standard is scheduled to be reviewed by TGn in November 2005 and should debut in the marketplace sometime in mid-2006. It will reportedly offer quadruple the data transfer rates of the current fastest WiFi technology. It will also operate on the 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) band, like 802.11b and 802.11g. This frequency does not require line-of-sight availability like 802.11a, which works in the regulated 5 GHz band.
The newest IEEE standard in the Wi-Fi category is 802.11n. It was designed to improve on 802.11g in the amount of bandwidth supported by utilizing multiple wireless signals and antennas (called MIMO technology) instead of one.
When this standard is finalized, 802.11n connections should support data rates of over 100 Mbps. 802.11n also offers somewhat better range over earlier Wi-Fi standards due to its increased signal intensity. 802.11n equipment will be backward compatible with 802.11g gear.
Pros of 802.11n - fastest maximum speed and best signal range; more resistant to signal interference from outside sources
Cons of 802.11n - standard is not yet finalized; costs more than 802.11g; the use of multiple signals may greatly interfere with nearby 802.11b/g based networks.
The speed difference between 802.11n and the older 802.11g is only apparent on the local network in most cases. Internet speed is capped by whatever plan the user is on, and only the fastest plans are in excess of 25-54mbps, the limit of 802.11g. In other words, 802.11g is already many times faster than the average person's Internet connection.
Businesses/people that have their computers networked together (that's where you see the speed increase) *and* people who have Internet connections in excess of 25 mbps are the ones to benefit from 802.11n. Bear in mind the -average- Internet connection is about 1.5mbps for DSL and 5 mbps for cable. A *really* fast connection is 10mbps. Faster connections are certainly available but are pricey and are not what most people have.
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