3Com 3CRWE870075A User Guide - Page 8

Wireless Network Standards

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With Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, the same Category 5 cable that connects your access point to the data network also provides its power. A single cable installation dramatically improves your choice of mounting configurations because you no longer need to consider AC power outlet locations. PoE support makes it easier than ever to overcome installation problems with difficult-to-wire or hard-to-reach locations. WIRELESS NETWORK STANDARDS 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: I Implementing a complete wireless LAN solution, including bridges, gateways, access points and clients; Wi-Fi certification guarantees compatibility among vendors I Managing a tight budget; 802.11b is extremely price competitive with a wide range of vendors and price points I Providing access to hot spots in public spaces such as coffee shops or university cafeterias I 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. 8

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8
With Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, the same Category 5 cable that
connects your access point to the data network also provides its power. A single
cable installation dramatically improves your choice of mounting configurations
because you no longer need to consider AC power outlet locations. PoE support
makes it easier than ever to overcome installation problems with difficult-to-wire
or hard-to-reach locations.
W
IRELESS
N
ETWORK
S
TANDARDS
Understanding the characteristics of the 802.11a and 802.11b standards can help
you make the best choice for your wireless implementation plans.
F
AR
-R
EACHING
802.11
B
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
H
IGH
-P
ERFORMANCE
802.11
A
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.