The announcement didn't garner much attention, but a little over a week ago, the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) finally
ratified the 802.11n wireless standard.
The process took seven years, but owners of so-called "Pre-N" wireless products, based on early drafts of the 802.11n specification, can now breathe easy. Their equipment won't be heading for the junk pile. Most pre-ratification N-class wireless devices can be updated by re-programming ("flashing") the firmware via software.
Vendors, however, hope the ratified standard will jump-start wireless LAN sales, which are reportedly down 15 percent on average from the previous year.
In case you were wondering, the 802.11n wireless standard offers significantly greater speed and range over its predecessor,
802.11g, which has a theoretical maximum speed of 54 megabits per second (Mbps) and average throughput of 20 Mbps - 25 Mbps. N-class wireless, in contrast, has a theoretical maximum of up to 300 Mbps and average throughput of 100 Mbps - 150 Mbps.
The increased range provided by 802.11n, however, is harder to quantify, mainly because so many variables can affect it. This includes radio frequency interference, folliage, interior furnishings, terrain, weather, etc. Nevertheless, 802.11n typically delivers more than twice the distance of 802.11g.
The new standard supports both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio frequency bands. The spectrum choice is a big plus in areas already saturated by legacy 802.11b/g devices. IEEE 802.11n also offers channel-bonding and multiple-input/multiple output (MIMO) operation. The former allows channels to be combined for even greater speed, and the latter uses multipath (reflected, rather than directly-received) radio waves to recover missing signal information.
The delay in approving the final standard reportedly stemmed from competing “pre-N” technologies, which led to long, drawn out debates among IEEE committees. While the proceedings dragged on, consumers became understandably reluctant to invest in legacy wireless devices, knowing faster speeds were around the corner.
This led some manufacturers to introduce products based on early drafts of the 802.11n specifications. These early offerings, which were often incompatible with other brands, were eventually replaced by Draft 2.0 devices, which were certified as upgradeable to meet the final standard. The IEEE, in turn, offered assurances that neither the specification nor the certification process would undergo major changes.
The published 802.11n standard is now expected to be released sometime in mid-October. Meanwhile, firmware and other updates for existing Draft 2.0 equipment should start appearing on manufacturers' websites in coming weeks.
Some manufacturers, however, like Belkin, are wasting no time announcing that their current products are already compliant with the finalized standard and do not require updating. If you've been dragging your feet, wanting to upgrade your slowpoke wireless home network but were uncomfortable with the idea of buying pre-ratification gear, you are now officially out of excuses.
Nevertheless, be aware that even IEEE 802.11n-compliant wireless routers aren't created equally. Before you start shopping, here are a few things to consider:
- External vs. Internal Antenna - External antennas are unsightly but generally yield a wider coverage area. There are exceptions, however. This is an area where it pays to do your homework. A wireless router doesn't have to look like a porcupine to provide acceptable range.
- Dual-Band Operation - So called "single-band" wireless routers are cheaper but only operate on the 2.4 GHz radio frequency band. Models that have both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz radios are called "dual-band" and are recommended for areas where overcrowding on 2.4 GHz exists, such as where there is already a large population of 802.11b/g devices. More expensive dual-band models switch bands automatically, depending on conditions, and some even operate on both bands at the same time. Don't scrimp here. You definitely want a dual-band device.
- Easy Setup - WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) was introduced to simplify configuring security on wireless networks. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work, which typically results in consumers leaving their wireless networks vulnerable to eavesdropping and unauthorized access. The industry really needs to come up with something that works, with all devices, all the time. If you're not familiar with wireless encryption terms like WPA2-PSK, WPA2-TKIP, AES or WEP, go with a device that offers the easy-to-use installation software and/or an easy-to-understand user guide, such as the Belkin N+ Wireless Router, shown on the Fox 8 Morning News.
- Gigabit Ethernet Ports - Most wireless routers provide four or more Ethernet switchports to connect wired devices. Cheaper models have 10/100 Mbps ports, but since 802.11n is rated at up to 300 Mbps, this potentially creates a 200 Mbps performance gap. Better units have gigabit ports, which operate at 1,000 megabits per second and eliminate bottlenecks when transferring data between wired and wireless devices. A 802.11n router with gigabit ports is worth the extra money.
- Guest Networks - Suppose a friend comes over to your house with a laptop and wants to logon to the Web using your wireless network. If your wireless is secure, you either have to disable the encryption or reveal your passphrase. Units, like the Belkin N+ Wireless Router, provide hospitality Internet access, just like a coffee shop or a hotel lobby, keeping the other devices on your wireless network isolated. When your guest leaves, simply turn it off. You don’t have to re-configure your router or change your passphrase.
- Wireless Print Server or Network Attached Storage (NAS) - Some wireless routers also have USB ports to connect other devices. The Belkin N+ Wireless Router (MSRP $120), for example, turns any USB storage device into network attached storage (NAS), provided you install special software on all your computers. Other wireless routers allow connecting a USB printer, so it can be shared wirelessly among several computers.
You might also be wondering if the wireless interface in your present PC can be upgraded to meet the new standard. This information is best obtained from the manufacturer's website. If, however, the answer is "no," consider opting for an external USB Wireless N device, such as the Belkin N+ USB Adapter (MSRP $80), which was also shown on the Fox 8 Morning News.
