3Com 3CRWE820096A Data Sheet - Page 2

3COM® WIRELESS LAN ACCESS POINTS 8200/8500/8700 DATA SHEET Freedom of movement, freedom of choice With their flexibility and unfettered access, wireless LANs are changing the way people work. Now with 3Com's enterprise-class wireless access points, you can build a costeffective, reliable, secure wireless network that provides users with seamless connectivity to the Internet, company intranet, and the wired corporate network from anywhere they happen to be-conference room, cafeteria or office. 3Com's dual-mode design supports both 802.11a and 802.11b wireless standards on a single access point. This capability increases configuration and coverage flexibility and protects your network investment for both existing and emerging wireless standards. Industry-leading security features and comprehensive management and performance features combine to make these enterpriseclass wireless access points an ideal choice for organizations ready to serve their increasingly mobile workforce. Implementing the right standard for your wireless network needs 2 Understanding the characteristics of the 802.11a and 802.11b standards can help you make the best choice for your wireless implementation plans. Far-Reaching 802.11b 802.11b operates in the 2.4 GHz band at 11 Mbps. Ratified in 1999, it's the most widely deployed protocol in the market today due to the Wi-Fi Alliance's successful certification efforts that have ensured interoperability. It supports the widest coverage-up to 100 meters (328 feet). However, 802.11b is slower than 802.11a and it is subject to a greater risk of radio interference because it operates in the more popular 2.4 GHz band. Consider 802.11b when you need wider coverage and vendor compatibility and you are • Implementing a complete wireless LAN solution, including bridges, gateways, access points and clients; Wi-Fi certification guarantees compatibility among vendors • Managing a tight budget; 802.11b is extremely price competitive with a wide range of vendors and price points • Providing access to hot spots in public spaces such as coffee shops or university cafeterias • Running applications that don't require high bandwidth High-Performance 802.11a Ratified in 2002, 802.11a is IEEE's more recent wireless standard. It operates at the 5 GHz band and supports data rates at up to 54 Mbps. For those organizations demanding even higher speeds, a "turbo mode" feature can boost throughput rates up to 108 Mbps. And because there are fewer devices in the 5 GHz band, there's less potential for RF interference. However, because it is at an entirely different radio spectrum, it is not compatible with 802.11b. The higher spectrum provides about 50 meters (164 feet) of coverage-about half what 802.11b offers. Consider 802.11a when you need high throughput in a confined space and you are • Running high-bandwidth applications like voice, video, or multimedia over a wireless network that can benefit from a fivefold increase in data throughput • Transferring large files like computer aided design files, preprint publishing documents or graphics files, such as MRI scans for medical applications, that demand additional bandwidth • Supporting a dense user base confined to a small coverage area. Because 802.11a has a greater number of non-overlapping channels, you can pack more access points in a tighter space