Most home networks use the standard IEEE 802.11 to connect various devices such as smartphones, laptops, printers, and more to each other and the internet without the need for wires. IEEE 802.11, which is widely used in offices as well, enables the creation of wireless local area networks (WLANs) using Wi-Fi technology. Additionally, IEEE 802.11 can serve as a foundation for car-based communications networks leveraging IEEE 802.11p. Here are some interesting facts about IEEE 802.11:
IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
The set of standards refers to Wi-Fi wireless network technologies, an acronym for Wireless Fidelity.
The first standards under IEEE 802.11 was introduced in 1997 and was revised several times to improve speed, security, and compatibility with different devices and protocols.
The two most recent 802.11ac and 802.11ax offer speeds of up to 6 Gbps and 9.6 Gbps respectively.
Over the years, Wi-Fi technologies have become more secure through the evolution of encryption measures like WEP, WPA, and WPA2.
Advances in wireless technology have resulted in the development of Wi-Fi Direct, a protocol that enables devices to connect directly with each other without the need for a wireless router.
The next iteration of the 802.11 standard, 802.11be, is currently under development and is expected to offer even faster data transmission speeds than current Wi-Fi standards.
With the increasing demand for more extensive wireless connectivity and the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, IEEE 802.11 is expected to remain the dominant standard for wireless networks in the foreseeable future.
What standard do most home networks use? Find out which one fits your needs.
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