Wireless-N (802.11n) is a newer and faster wireless specification than wireless-G (802.11g), offering wider frequency bands, higher speeds, and more robustness. It incorporates MIMO technology and can reach speeds of up to 450 Mbps. It is not backward compatible with wireless-G and operates on the 5 GHz band, which reduces interference from other gadgets. Upgrading to wireless-N can improve file transfer speeds and productivity, but all equipment must comply with the 802.11n-2009 standard for best results.
Equipment that manages wireless networks is designed to be compatible with one or more wireless specifications so that products from different manufacturers can be interoperable. Wireless-N is a newer specification than wireless-G and has some key advantages over the older protocol. The new specification can operate over a wider frequency band, is faster and more robust. Wireless-N is also referred to under its numerical classification of 802.11n, while its predecessor, wireless-G is 802.11g. The 802.11 wireless classification and its respective versions, designated by the final letter, are published by the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers (IEEE).
The maximum speed of a standard wireless-G network is 54 Megabits per second (Mbps), although real-world speeds are slightly slower. Super-G or Xtreme G, a hybrid of 802.11g, boasts 108Mbps, but this requires proprietary hardware. The 54 Mbps standard is actually still quite fast when you consider that the average internet connection is limited to 1-5 Mbps. Premium DSL, cable and fiber optic internet might offer speeds between 10-50 Mbps, again within capabilities of the network. For the average person and business, however, high-end network speeds will only be achieved and appreciated when sharing files between local machines.
Wireless-N incorporates multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO). MIMO uses multiple antennas that transmit and receive different “special streams” of data simultaneously. As a result, speeds can reach 450 Mbps using three special streams, with 600 Mbps being the theoretical maximum using four special streams. This assumes that each stream uses 40 MHz bandwidth and these specifications refer to the finalized standard 802.11n-2009.
Prior to IEEE’s finalization in September 2009, 802.11n had been in development for several years. Products manufactured during this period comply with draft wireless-N standards, with theoretical speeds of 300 Mbps. Real-world speeds are closer to 130-180 Mbps, although this varies due to different versions of 802.11n and compatibility eccentricity between hardware. A wireless-N router design might be upgradeable to 802.11n-2009 via a BIOS flash, depending on the manufacturer.
Wireless-N is not backward compatible with wireless-G. The latter operates on the 2.4 GHz band, while the “true” 802.11n uses the 5 GHz band, although it can operate at 2.4 GHz with a performance impact. The switch is more desirable due to the number of gadgets operating in the 2.4GHz band, which can potentially introduce interference. Some examples include microwave ovens, many types of cordless and cellular phones, surrounding 802.11g networks, and Bluetooth® networks.
A router might contain radios for both bands, offering support for 802.11g and 802.11n, but running in mixed mode degrades wireless-N performance. For the network to fully realize the N benefits, all equipment must comply with the 802.11n-2009 standard, operating in the 5 GHz band.
Many factors affect the effective transmission range of a wireless network, including network hardware, configuration, building materials in surrounding structures, and topography in the case of external networks. Signal integrity also degrades with distance. The indoor range of the 802.11n-2009 finalized standard could approximate 300 feet (91 m) indoors and up to 850 feet (259 m) outdoors, but results vary. This compared to wireless-G at about 150 feet (46m) indoors and 300 feet (92m) outdoors. Extenders and other technologies can be used to extend the reach of the network when needed.
Individuals or businesses that operate a wireless network only to share a standard Internet connection will see no difference between wireless-N and wireless-G, unless adverse conditions are degrading wireless-G performance that would not factor into a wireless network -N, such as interference on the 2.4 GHz band. Other reasons for the switch would be for a deeper transmission range or to share an ultra-fast Internet connection.
Those who wirelessly share files between local machines can benefit greatly from upgrading to a wireless-N network, realizing much faster transfer speeds, improving productivity, and saving time. The router and any network cards or adapters must comply with the 802.11n-2009 specification, or more recently finalized, to ensure the best results and future-proof the investment.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
