`
`Choosing a WLAN Standard: 802.11a vs. 802.11b | Computerworld
`
`The New Digital Workplace: The New Reality Is Now. Learn More.
`
`FEATURE
` UNITED STATES
`Choosing a WLAN Standard: 802.11a vs. 802.11b
`By Drew Robb
`Computerworld |
`DEC 16, 2002 12:00 AM PST
`
`The most common types of wireless LANs today support the 802.11b standard. Although faster 802.11a
`
`equipment has been available for some time, vendors of enterprise-class WLAN equipment -- with
`
`more sophisticated security and management options -- have only recently entered the market. With
`
`802.11a maturing, choosing the right technology now depends on understanding the technology
`
`differences and matching them to your needs.
`
`Also called Wi-Fi, 802.11b operates at 2.4 GHz with a maximum transmission rate of 11M bit/sec. at the
`
`access point (AP). Meanwhile, 802.11a operates on the less-crowded 5-GHz band and runs at up to
`
`54M bit/sec. Although the 802.11a and 802.11b specs are incompatible, vendors offer so-called dual-
`
`mode APs that support both. A future standard, 802.11g, may offer 802.11a speeds and backward
`
`compatibility to 802.11b.
`
`The 802.11a standard offers more nonoverlapping channels per AP that clients can use: eight, vs. three
`
`for 802.11b. Since it operates at a higher frequency, though, 802.11a has a shorter range and requires
`
`more APs for a given coverage area. That makes 802.11a more expensive for applications such as
`
`warehouse data entry that don't need the extra bandwidth. And while 802.11b is available in Europe,
`
`802.11a is not. For higher bandwidth, network designers will need to investigate the European
`
`HiperLAN2 standard.
`
`[ Related: Tech event calendar: Upcoming shows, conferences and IT expos ]
`
`Even if 802.11b is adequate, the network design should support a future move to 802.11a using dual-
`
`mode APs. Some organizations are even running 802.11a for voice-over-IP applications and 802.11b
`
`for data using this configuration. But that gives designers yet another standard to worry about: To
`
`ensure good sound quality and performance, APs should support the 802.11e quality-of-service
`
`specification.
`
`
`
`ADVERTISING
`
`https://www.computerworld.com/article/2580570/choosing-a-wlan-standard--802-11a-vs--802-11b.html
`
`1/4
`
`Bell Northern Research, LLC, Exhibit 2012, Page 1 of 4
`
`
`
`5/25/2020
`
`Choosing a WLAN Standard: 802.11a vs. 802.11b | Computerworld
`
`The New Digital Workplace: The New Reality Is Now. Learn More.
`
` UNITED STATES
`
`Robb is a freelance writer in Tujunga, Calif. Contact him at drewrobb@attbi.com.
`
`Copyright © 2002 IDG Communications, Inc.
`
`YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
`
`Recommended by
`
`15 power user tips for Microsoft Teams
`
`Could 5G spell trouble for Android flagships?
`
`Dutch SI pitches in to distributed
`computing's fight against COVID-19
`
`Apple's new 13-in. MacBook Pro gets Magic
`Keyboard
`
`
`
`https://www.computerworld.com/article/2580570/choosing-a-wlan-standard--802-11a-vs--802-11b.html
`
`2/4
`
`Bell Northern Research, LLC, Exhibit 2012, Page 2 of 4
`
`
`
`5/25/2020
`
`Choosing a WLAN Standard: 802.11a vs. 802.11b | Computerworld
`
`The New Digital Workplace: The New Reality Is Now. Learn More.
`
` UNITED STATES
`
`Memory-Lane Monday: Did they say
`anything about an offer you couldn’t refuse?
`
`Atlassian acquires help desk firm Halp
`
`Microsoft touts new business features slated
`for Edge
`
`How to stay as private as possible on Apple's iPad and iPhone
`
`Remote desktop software: 8 enterprise-friendly IT support tools
`
`
`
`
`
`SHOP TECH PRODUCTS AT AMAZON
`
`SPONSORED LINKS
`10,000 new VPN connections, 1 solution to secure them. NETSCOUT, get protected.
`
`Work from wherever you need with Cisco Webex. Sign up for free.
`
`The 5 Attributes of R&D Leaders Who Drive Digital Transformations
`
`When the lifeline of your company depends on staying connected, trust NETSCOUT
`
`Join the IDG TECH(talk) Community, an exclusive online network where IT experts find resources to enhance
`their knowledge and career.
`
`As business changes, your VPN performance doesn’t have to. Learn how NETSCOUT can help
`
`Online Master of Science in Information Systems at Northwestern University
`
`dtSearch® instantly searches terabytes of files, emails, databases, web data. See site for hundreds of reviews;
`enterprise & developer evaluations
`
`
`
`https://www.computerworld.com/article/2580570/choosing-a-wlan-standard--802-11a-vs--802-11b.html
`
`3/4
`
`Bell Northern Research, LLC, Exhibit 2012, Page 3 of 4
`
`
`
`5/25/2020
`
`Choosing a WLAN Standard: 802.11a vs. 802.11b | Computerworld
`
`Copyright © 2020 IDG Communications, Inc.
`The New Digital Workplace: The New Reality Is Now. Learn More.
`
` UNITED STATES
`
`https://www.computerworld.com/article/2580570/choosing-a-wlan-standard--802-11a-vs--802-11b.html
`
`4/4
`
`Bell Northern Research, LLC, Exhibit 2012, Page 4 of 4
`
`