Wireless and Mobile Device Security, 2nd Edition

The 802.11 Standards

The IEEE 802.11 standards outline the protocols, methods, and controls for building, operating, and communicating over WLANs. Originally drafted in 1997, the 802.11 standard has seen multiple revisions, each with its own letter qualifier (for example, 802.11a, 802.11n, and so on). Several of these revisions specify new frequencies, channels, or modulation techniques, which is not all that uncommon with IEEE standards. However, because Wi-Fi routers have become a mass-market consumer category, many manufacturers use the letter designation as part of their product marketing and naming to signify differentiation (in the case of having the latest technology) and to ensure that consumers purchase compatible devices. For example, ...