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'''WiFi''' is a form of [[wireless]] [[internet]] access (Wireless Local Area Network). 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 />
{{Progress}}
'''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.
In some places such as Sunnyvale in [[Silicon Valley]], WiFi is largely replaced by [[WiMAX]], which can service entire [[cities]].
In some places such as Sunnyvale in [[Silicon Valley]], WiFi is largely replaced by [[WiMAX]], which can service entire [[cities]].
==Common WiFi Standards==
The average user's experience tends to be that any WiFi-capable device they have can connect to any WiFi network for which they know the password (if there is one). However, there is a set of standards which define how, from a technical perspective, the devices work. Unfortunately, not all devices are compatible with all others. The following are some of the 802.11 standards which will need to be supported by both ends in order to be used.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Standard !! Best possible speed !! Frequency !! About
|-
| 802.11ah (Wi-Fi HaLow) || 347 Mbps || About 900 MHz || Utilizes an extremely low-frequency to extend its range. This is used for license-exempt networks, and consumes less power than typical wireless networks.<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>
|-
| '''802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)''' || 5 GHz || 3.46 Gbps || 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>https://www.lifewire.com/wireless-standards-802-11a-802-11b-g-n-and-802-11ac-816553</ref>
|}
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Ethernet]] - more secure than using wireless
* [[Ethernet]] - more secure than using wireless
* [[Encryption]]
* [[Encryption]]
* [[Internet security]]
* [[Internet security]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Internet]]
[[Category:Internet]]
[[Category:Telecommunications]]
[[Category:Telecommunications]]