Improve LAN performance by deploying 802.11n

To be more competitive, employees need to be able to access data at all times and use tools to collaborate with others. By deploying 802.11n, you can expand your wireless network to deliver multimedia information, such as unified information and video conferencing, which can be used anywhere you need.

Traditional 802.11a/g wireless LAN can only provide limited support for these services, but the new 802.11n product can significantly improve these capabilities, that is, the wireless LAN can effectively and reliably transmit multimedia information.

This article briefly introduces the differences between 802.11n and traditional wireless LAN, including multi-input and multi-output MIMO technology, spatial stream, packet aggregation, beam forming, channel binding, and other functions. After reading this article, you will learn how these features enable the 802.11n Wireless LAN to increase speed, throughput, availability, range, and reliability.

802.11n Introduction

The high throughput standard of IEEE802.11n is a key aspect. At this point, the wireless LAN can be used for prime time periods. The data transmission rate of the old 802.11a/g Wireless Access Point cannot exceed 54 Mbps (the TCP throughput of 27 Mbps), because the signal strength and speed will decrease as the distance expands, users have to roam in the residential area or without stopping, otherwise they will interrupt sensitive programs with latency. Placing all APs in a small number of crowded channels will limit the capability, seriously affecting the normal use of Bluetooth devices in the GHz band, cordless phones and video surveillance cameras.

802.11n can solve these problems by using additional antennas, advanced signal processing, more effective protocols and larger channel pools. The following summarizes their main functions and how they increase the speed, throughput, accessibility, and reliability of the wireless LAN.

802.11n table

There are many products that support the 802.11n function. To help customers differentiate interoperability products, the Wi-Fi Alliance implements the Wi-FI certification n testing program.

All APs with Wi-Fi authentication n must send and accept at least two spatial streams, and accept the aggregation frame and Block Acknowledgement mechanisms. The QOS and WPA2 security mechanisms of WMM are supported.

AP for dual-Data Flow authentication n must also support A-MDPU and STBC transmission and be bound to a 40 MHz channel if 5 GHz is in use

AP with multi-data stream authentication n must meet these same requirements, but it is a space stream of 3x3 or 4x4.

All client devices with Wi-Fi authentication n must meet the requirements of a slightly lower standard, but a minimum of 1x1 space stream is required.

Note: For dual-bandwidth support, SGI and TxBF are optional. Understanding Wi-Fi authentication can avoid bandwidth mismatch or lower than the expected maximum data transmission rate.