2. Navigating the Wireless Networking Jungle

Wireless networking is one of the brightest stars in the networking universe and will be a top pick for network-related gifting this year. While the proliferation of wireless networking standards and their promises of faster speeds may be tempting, you won't go wrong by choosing products that support the 2.4 GHz 802.11b standard.

Why? Because 802.11b is the only standard that's supported in those public "Hotspots" you've been hearing so much about, has the widest selection of products, the lowest prices, and best combination of speed and range for typical indoor residential and small-office environments. It also is the most likely wireless technology to be used in your company's wireless network.

If you're looking for higher speeds, don't care about compatibility with 802.11b products, and are willing to live with shorter range or will be using the products in a no-walls environment such as a conference room or open-office setting, you may want to consider products that support the 5 GHz 802.11a standard. However, given the relatively small price difference with most, more flexible dual-band, dual-standard 802.11a/b products, you may want to go that route instead. Just remember that 802.11a-only and 802.11b-only products operate on different frequencies, so can't communicate with each other.

Finally, although there was a lot of chest-beating at this year's Fall Comdex about new 802.11g draft standard products being on sale in time for Christmas, I wouldn't hold my breath (or hold off buying other products) waiting for them to appear. These long-awaited products operate on the lower 2.4 GHz frequency band, are compatible with existing 802.11b equipment, but will run at (raw data rate) speeds up to 54Mbps, with actual usable throughput of about half that. From what I've heard, if they become available for sale at all before Christmas, you'll be in for some very last-minute shopping.

My advice is to let the early adopters fight over the limited supplies and find all the bugs, and wait until at least the end of Q1 2003 to make your buy. But if you're someone who just can't wait to see what 11g is all about, keep an eye out for Linksys' WAP54G Access Point, WRT54G Wireless Router, and WPC54G Notebook Adapter. Lesser-known Buffalo Technology also is trying to gain some market share with their AirStation 54Mbps Wireless Broadband Router Access Point (WBR-G54) and Wireless CardBus adapter (WBI-CB-G54). Buffalo was actually one of the first companies to come out with lower-priced 802.11b wireless routers and it looks like they're trying to get ahead of the pack this time too.

Now that you know how to find your way though the wireless networking standards maze, it's time to pick out some products!