Wi Fi Standards

802.11a was the first Wi Fi standard reaching the industry in early 2000. It operates on a 5 GHz band, with maximum data transfer speeds of 54 Mbps. Its higher frequency compared to later standards implies that it has less range and more difficulty passing through walls and other structures.

The 802.11b was introduced shortly after 802.11a with the aim of providing better range. However, it only offers a data transfer speed of 11 Mbps. Its most significant advantage compared to 802.11a is its backward compatibility with even older standards.

802.11g provided a considerable advancement by offering the best of both 802.11a and 802.11b. Released in 2004, it combined the range of 802.11b with nearly the speed of 802.11a, delivering up to 54 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz frequency band. This standard also introduced new modulation techniques for transferring data wirelessly.

802.11n, also known as Wi Fi 4, uses Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology to increase the speed and range of wireless networks. This standard can operate on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and boasts a maximum data transfer rate of 600 Mbps.

802.11ac, also known as Wi Fi 5, is a giant leap forward in Wi Fi technology. This standard significantly increases the data transfer speed to a whopping 1.3 Gbps, or 1300 Mbps. However, it operates solely on the 5 GHz frequency band.

The cutting-edge standard, 802.11ax or Wi Fi 6, is the current state of the art. It provides many technical improvements, including higher data rates, increased capacity and better performance in dense environments. This technology can theoretically reach speeds of up to 10 Gbps.

Firstly, you have the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). As an early attempt at Wi Fi network security, WEP's purpose was to provide a level of security matching that of a traditional wired network. However, this standard has been proven to have many vulnerabilities, leading to it being officially deprecated by the Wi Fi Alliance in 2004.

The Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) standard was introduced as a replacement for WEP. Its improved encryption mechanism ameliorated many vulnerabilities present in WEP. Still, WPA itself has eventually been found to have security weaknesses, though it's a far more secure option than WEP.

The Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) further enhances security by using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) protocol and introduces a new key exchange method. WPA2 is the current standard used by most modern Wi Fi networks.

The latest in line is the Wi-Fi Protected Access III (WPA3). It brings new encryption standards and a more secure handshake protocol that's resistant to dictionary attacks, making it incredibly secure. However, WPA3 capable devices are still being widely adopted.

The primary line of defence resides with encryption. Encryption transforms the data transmitted over the network into a code that can only be read with the correct encryption key. This prevents unauthorised access to the information even if it's intercepted during transmission. WEP utilises the less advanced RC4 stream cipher, while WPA and WPA2 use TKIP and CCMP, respectively. WPA3 introduces a more robust standard called the Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE).

On top of encryption, authentication plays a vital role in network security. It verifies the identity of devices attempting to connect to the network. WPA and later standards use a protocol called the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) to provide more robust control over network access. This ensures that only authorised devices can connect to the Wi Fi network.

Finally, Wi Fi standards ensure the integrity of data sent over the network. This is done using an integrity-check algorithm to verify that the data received has not been tampered with during transit. TKIP in WPA utilises an algorithm named Michael, while AES in WPA2 uses Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code (CBC-MAC). For WPA3, the Enhanced Open standard provides protections in open networks for applications that aren't yet using encryption.

The first major contributor to standard Wi Fi speeds is the Wi Fi standard itself. Older standards such as 802.11n(Wi Fi 4) offer lower maximum speeds than the newer ones like 802.11ac(Wi Fi 5) or 802.11ax(Wi Fi 6). The type of standard thus directly affects the speed and performance of your Wi Fi network.

Distance and interference also tend to impact Wi Fi speeds. The further you move from a Wi Fi access point, the weaker the signal, and consequently, the slower your Wi Fi speed. Interference from other wireless devices and physical obstructions like walls or furniture can also significantly lower your Wi Fi performance.

Moreover, the number of devices connected to the network can influence your Wi Fi speed. Wi Fi routers can only handle a certain number of connections simultaneously. If there are too many devices connected, bandwidth is divided up, which can slow down the speed for each device.

Last but not the least, network security settings can affect Wi Fi speed. Using outdated or less secure settings may decrease transfer rates. Moreover, unsecured networks are at risk of unauthorized access, which could also slow down network performance.

Firstly, ensuring you're using a modern Wi Fi standard can substantially improve your Wi Fi speed. If your router only supports older standards like Wi Fi 4, consider upgrading it to a newer one that can support Wi Fi 5 or 6.

Also, minimising interference and distance from the router can help. Keep the router in a central location for an equal distribution of signals. Additionally, minimize interference by keeping other electronic devices away from the router.

Managing the number of devices connected to your network can also optimise your Wi Fi speeds. Too many devices may slow down the network. If possible, limit the number of devices, or schedule heavy tasks for times when fewer devices are connected.

Finally, ensure you have appropriate network security settings. Use the most secure form of network encryption supported by your devices, usually WPA3. This not only keeps your network secure but also improves its performance.

The 2.4 GHz band is the more common of the two frequencies, largely due to the fact that it's used by older Wi Fi standards like 802.11b/g/n. This frequency range is excellent for long-range coverage, as 2.4 GHz signals are more adept at penetrating walls and other obstacles. However, it offers lesser bandwidth compared to the 5 GHz band, which can limit the speed of your Wi Fi network.

On the other hand, the 5 GHz band was introduced with the 802.11a standard and is also used by subsequent ones like 802.11ac and 802.11ax. 5 GHz networks have a shorter range than 2.4 GHz networks but they make up for it in speed. The availability of wider channels on this band means it can accommodate higher data rates and suffer less interference.

Due to its longer wavelength, a 2.4 GHz Wi Fi network provides a longer range or coverage area. This makes it ideal for use in large spaces or areas where the signal needs to penetrate walls or other obstructions. However, prospects of high-speed data transfers are limited on this frequency, due to its smaller bandwidth. In addition, because many household appliances like microwaves and cordless phones also operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency, it tends to have a lot more interference, which can degrade Wi Fi performance.

On the contrary, a 5 GHz Wi Fi network has a shorter range due to its shorter wavelength. This might not be a problem in smaller spaces, but in larger ones, you may need additional hardware like range extenders to provide coverage to the entire area. However, the primary advantage of 5 GHz is speed. With wider channels, it offers greater bandwidth, resulting in faster data transfer rates. Plus, far fewer devices use 5 GHz frequency, meaning interference is typically much less of an issue.