Multiband Solutions

The solution offering the most flexibility and future-proofing is to buy multiband equipment. For example, the Cisco Aironet 1130AG AP offers AP services for devices that use 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. Although multiband technology can be pricey, costs might come down as more multiband products are produced.

Future-proofing is an important factor when considering this option. After you install a multiband device, it'll be a while before you have to touch it again. In addition, as Wi-Fi networks grow, you might find 802.11b's and 802.11g's three channels quickly used up, making 802.11a's 23 channels appealing.

As WLANs grow, these multiband networks can find channels used for specific functions. For instance, a large company with a robust WLAN might assign users to different channels and bands based on their use. For example, an engineer who needs access to large technical files might be assigned wireless access using 802.11a, whereas someone who accesses the network for e-mail might be assigned to one of the 802.11b channels.

Ultimately, selecting a technology boils down to the following:

• 802.11b and 802.11g offer the best cost and are the most popular deployments.

• 802.11a offers an easier deployment with 23 nonoverlapping channels.

• Multiband 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g offer high performance and great compatibility, but are also the most expensive options. On the other hand, you might save money in the long run because they decrease the likelihood of having to upgrade equipment in the future.

Although it can be somewhat difficult to figure out which wireless technology to support, look for 802.11n to make it even more challenging. 802.11nstill a couple of years offpromises speeds in excess of 100 Mbps.