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'''WiFi''' is a form of [[wireless]] [[internet]] access (Wireless Local Area Network) which complies with the IEEE's 802.11 standards. The protocols and standards used by WiFi are governed by the Wifi Alliance, which is composed of an international network of companies.<ref>https://www.wi-fi.org/who-we-are</ref> It was originally invented by the [[Australia]]n government's research arm, the CSIRO. WiFi networks use a [[Network_topology#Star|star architecture]] to service numerous devices within proximity of the access point (or "hotspot"). Wireless access points can be teamed together to offer seamless service over a relatively large area, be switching off clients from one access point to another as is needed to maintain connectivity. This is typically done by companies with a large amount of square footage to service, such as [[hotels]], [[hospitals]], [[restaurants]], [[airports]], [[schools]] and [[universities]], and [[shopping malls]].<br />

'''WiFi''' is a form of [[wireless]] [[internet]] access (Wireless Local Area Network) which complies with the [[IEEE]]'s 802.11 standards. The protocols and standards used by WiFi are governed by the Wifi Alliance, which is composed of an international network of companies.<ref>https://www.wi-fi.org/who-we-are</ref> It was originally invented by the [[Australia]]n government's research arm, the CSIRO. WiFi networks use a [[Network_topology#Star|star architecture]] to service numerous devices within proximity of the access point (or "hotspot"). Wireless access points can be teamed together to offer seamless service over a relatively large area, be switching off clients from one access point to another as is needed to maintain connectivity. This is typically done by companies with a large amount of square footage to service, such as [[hotels]], [[hospitals]], [[restaurants]], [[airports]], [[schools]] and [[universities]], and [[shopping malls]].<br />

Access points are typically connected to some form of high-speed internet service, such as DSL/cable or fiber optic lines. These access points generally transmit their identification (called an SSID) so users can easily connect to them using any WiFi-capable device, such as a laptop, [[smartphone]], tablet, or portable gaming device.

Access points are typically connected to some form of high-speed internet service, such as DSL/cable or fiber optic lines. These access points generally transmit their identification (called an SSID) so users can easily connect to them using any WiFi-capable device, such as a laptop, [[smartphone]], tablet, or portable gaming device.

| 802.11ad || 6.7Gbps || 60 GHz || Sacrifices range in favor of speed. This protocol uses a a relatively high frequency to increase throughput, but the high frequency signal rapidly decays, so clients must be in close proximity of the access point to use this.<ref name="networkworld.com">https://www.networkworld.com/article/3238664/wi-fi/80211-wi-fi-standards-and-speeds-explained.html</ref>

| 802.11ad || 6.7Gbps || 60 GHz || Sacrifices range in favor of speed. This protocol uses a a relatively high frequency to increase throughput, but the high frequency signal rapidly decays, so clients must be in close proximity of the access point to use this.<ref name="networkworld.com">https://www.networkworld.com/article/3238664/wi-fi/80211-wi-fi-standards-and-speeds-explained.html</ref>

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| 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) || 3.46 Gbps || 5 GHz || Typically used by home WiFi networks, this protocol offers somewhat of a balance between speed and range.  This protocol offers Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) support, allowing for multiple antennas to send/receive in order to improve performance. This protocol is widely accepted, although some older devices may not support it.  Fortunately, this protocol supports dual-band operation (and is the first to do so). This means that many access points using 802.11ac also offer 2.4GHz service using 802.11n to serve older devices.<ref name="networkworld.com">https://www.networkworld.com/article/3238664/wi-fi/80211-wi-fi-standards-and-speeds-explained.html</ref><ref name="lifewire.com">https://www.lifewire.com/wireless-standards-802-11a-802-11b-g-n-and-802-11ac-816553</ref>

| 802.11ac ('''Wi-Fi 5''') || 3.46 Gbps || 5 GHz || Typically used by home WiFi networks, this protocol offers somewhat of a balance between speed and range.  This protocol offers Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) support, allowing for multiple antennas to send/receive in order to improve performance. This protocol is widely accepted, although some older devices may not support it.  Fortunately, this protocol supports dual-band operation (and is the first to do so). This means that many access points using 802.11ac also offer 2.4GHz service using 802.11n to serve older devices.<ref name="networkworld.com">https://www.networkworld.com/article/3238664/wi-fi/80211-wi-fi-standards-and-speeds-explained.html</ref><ref name="lifewire.com">https://www.lifewire.com/wireless-standards-802-11a-802-11b-g-n-and-802-11ac-816553</ref>

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|802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) || 300 Mbps || 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz || Intended to improve on 802.11g by using multiple antennas (MIMO).  This offers backward-compatibility with 802.11b/g equipment. This standard offers a significant bandwidth improvement, but can be more costly to implement.  Additionally, the use of multiple signals may interfere with nearby 802.11b/g based networks.<ref name="lifewire.com">https://www.lifewire.com/wireless-standards-802-11a-802-11b-g-n-and-802-11ac-816553</ref>

|802.11n ('''Wi-Fi 4''') || 300 Mbps || 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz || Intended to improve on 802.11g by using multiple antennas (MIMO).  This offers backward-compatibility with 802.11b/g equipment. This standard offers a significant bandwidth improvement, but can be more costly to implement.  Additionally, the use of multiple signals may interfere with nearby 802.11b/g based networks.<ref name="lifewire.com">https://www.lifewire.com/wireless-standards-802-11a-802-11b-g-n-and-802-11ac-816553</ref>

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|802.11g || 54 Mbps || 2.4 GHz || Approved in 2003, this standard enables communication at the same speed as 802.11a, but uses a lower frequency which increases the range.<ref name="networkworld.com">https://www.networkworld.com/article/3238664/wi-fi/80211-wi-fi-standards-and-speeds-explained.html</ref>

|802.11g || 54 Mbps || 2.4 GHz || Approved in 2003, this standard enables communication at the same speed as 802.11a, but uses a lower frequency which increases the range.<ref name="networkworld.com">https://www.networkworld.com/article/3238664/wi-fi/80211-wi-fi-standards-and-speeds-explained.html</ref>