Which Wireless Protocol Should You Use?

This chapter, as well as the preceding three chapters, was written to introduce you to the current wireless network standards. This chapter includes examples of 802.11g hardware installations, because new wireless networks will most likely use the latest standard. This is because the cost difference is not going to be much among 802.11a, b, and g in the near future. Although the price differences for hardware for all of these standards are diminishing , even a small difference in price can be a large expense if you want to create a large network. The small difference in price adds up as your network scales to up to 100 or more users.

Because Wireless 802.11g can work with both 802.11b and 802.11g, it might make sense that you should now purchase 802.11g hardware. Think of what your network bandwidth requirements are first. If you already have an installed base of 802.11b, and the bandwidth it provides (11Mbps) is sufficient for your needs, then you can use 802.11g as an upgrade path because it interoperates with both standards. Or you can continue to use 802.11b if 11Mbps is all you need. In this case when you need to add clients to the network, you will find that the hardware will be less expensive than 802.11g at this time. What should you consider in making this judgment? Consider the applications you are currently using, as well as those you see as possibilities in your future. If you expect to upgrade software applications, and forecast uploading or downloading large amounts of data, then start upgrading to 802.11g as you add new computers to your wireless network.

The difference in bandwidth (11Mbps “54Mbps) is the main deciding factor. If 11Mpbs (about the same offered by now-legacy 10BASE-T networks) is all you need, and you operate in an environment where software upgrades will not be necessary in the near future, then stay with what you already have! After all, although the Microsoft Office suite of programs continues to be updated year after year, there are a large number of users who are still using Office 97. Why upgrade to newer versions if the applications you are using already provide all the features you need?

The following questions offer some things to consider:

• Are users of your 802.11b network complaining about response time?

• Do you contemplate upgrading to software applications that require a large bandwidth, such as graphics, video, or other similar software?

• Is your decision based on creating new wireless network(s)? If a large number of computers are involved, then why begin the process with a lower bandwidth specification?

• If you already have an 802.11a network, which also can operate at 54Mbps, do you want to reinvest in hardware for your network just to keep up with the neighbors and use the latest standards?

• Do you really need a wireless network at all? See Chapter 19, "Introduction to Wireless Networking."