Selecting a Wireless Network Standard
Selecting a Wireless Network Standard
Slide 3 of 5
The wireless standard you select for your network will dictate the router(s) and network interface cards (NICs) you'll need to purchase for your computers and other network resources. Each standard varies in terms of cost, speed, maximum distance and potential for interference, so you'll want to prioritize your network needs and select the standard that will best meet both your current and future requirements. The good news is that the newer standards are often backwards-compatible with older standards, although the downside is that you won't be able to reach maximum speeds when working in a mixed-standards mode.
Here's a quick look at the main wireless standards in use today and their specifications:
