Information about Standards

Okay, I know, now that you're convinced that wireless is really better, you're ready to run out to your computer superstore, hand over your credit card, and start plugging things in. But before you can get to the "how to do it" part, you need a little more of the "how does it work" stuff. This section helps you understand the layers and standards of networking technology so you'll be a more informed consumer when you hit the Giant Store of Computer Stuff.

Standards are the key to the interoperability of networking products. It would be impossible for equipment from different manufacturers to communicate were it not for accepted industry standards. Standards define the protocols that networked devices use to talk to one another. Although standards are essential, the number of wireless standards and protocols is enough to baffle even the most technically-savvy consumer.

The standards that are of most concern to the average SOHO wireless net-worker are the 802.11x physical layer standards, particularly 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802. 11g.