802.11 Standards

Wireless

Overview

802.11 generations add modulation, channel widths and efficiency capabilities. 802.11n uses 2.4/5 GHz; ac focuses on 5 GHz; ax supports efficient multi-user operation and Wi-Fi 6E extends into 6 GHz. Marketing link rates are not application throughput; region and client support limit use.

Protocol stages

1Generation
2Band support
3Channel width
4Client capability

Interactive exercise

Knowledge check

A 2.4 GHz-only client joins a 5 GHz-only SSID?

Yes, names determine band supportNo, its radio lacks the required bandOnly if the subnet is /16

Educational model — not real hardware, traffic or official certification.