Is it possible or practical to configure 802.11g access points to ignore 802.11b equipment?

Lisa Phifer, Core Competence

Is it possible or practical to configure 802.11g access points to ignore 802.11b equipment, or is it a pre-requisite of the standard that it be open to this protocol? In short, is 802.11g normally at risk of being degraded by 802.11b cards?
Most 802.11g products can be configured to operate in 802.11g-only mode (ERP-OFDM), 802.11b mode (ERP-DSSS/CCK), or mixed 802.11b/g mode. The standard defines operation in both of these modes (and two other optional compatibility modes). The Wi-Fi Alliance tests 802.11g products for ability to interoperate with 802.11b reference implementations. However, it's up to you as the network owner to decide how you want to configure your 802.11g AP. If you don't have any 802.11g clients to support, you can usually configure your AP for 802.11g only mode to optimize operation.

This was last published in November 2003

Related Q&A from Lisa Phifer

Site-to-site VPN vs. remote-access VPNs: What's the difference?

Learn the differences between site-to-site VPNs vs. remote-access VPNs and find out about the protocols, benefits and the data security methods used ... Continue Reading

Wireless access point vs. wireless router: What's the difference?

Understanding the functions of a wireless access point vs. wireless router will help you deploy the right device for the right circumstance. Continue Reading

Are Apple Watch business apps worth it?

Need to send an email, check your flight's status or get ready for a presentation? You can do it all on your smartwatch, thanks to a slew of Apple ... Continue Reading

Have a question for an expert?

Please add a title for your question

Get answers from a TechTarget expert on whatever's puzzling you.

Meet all of our Networking experts

View all Networking questions and answers

SearchUnifiedCommunications

Understanding key video conferencing components

Video conferencing is an essential tool for working with a team. Use this glossary to determine which components of video ...

Zoom helps launch video conferencing hardware startup Neat

Neat will design video conferencing hardware exclusively for Zoom, which has invested in the startup and was involved in early ...

Zoom Phone takes center stage at Zoomtopia 2019

Zoom is increasingly positioning Zoom Phone as a core part of its portfolio and a service that every kind of business should ...

SearchMobileComputing

Google OEM config program enables quick updates to EMM

Google's OEM Config program incentivizes Android smartphone OEMs to help EMM vendors quickly support device-specific management ...

Why organizations of any size should consider IDaaS

The risks of poor identity management are well known. Identity-as-a-service offerings can solve many identity-management-related ...

How to manage Office 365 mobile apps for business

Microsoft Office 365 applications allow users to send emails and edit numerous types of documents, but the mobile apps present a ...

SearchDataCenter

Improve server rack physical security with ISO standards

Safeguarding information access is essential to data center operations. With ISO Standard 27001 and the right locking mechanisms,...

Essential private cloud migration steps

Executive buy-in, application evaluation and tool configuration are all important parts of cloud selection. With these steps, ...

IBM quantum computers' usefulness in sight -- using binoculars

IBM's Bob Sutor discusses Big Blue's new quantum systems and computation center, the realities of quantum computing today and how...

SearchITChannel

Hard disk capacity will soon hit 20 TB

Age-old hard disk drives get a new twist as energy-assisted technologies fuel Western Digital's upcoming new 20 TB HDDs and ...

Dell Technologies partner strategy reaps steady growth

At the midpoint of FY20, Dell Technologies partner executives pointed to evidence that the company's channel strategy has matured...

Post-quantum cryptography unlocks opportunity for partners

A DigiCert study highlights a role for channel partner in preparing customers for quantum computing security threats; other ...

Related Resources

Dig Deeper on Network Infrastructure

Related Q&A from Lisa Phifer

Have a question for an expert?

Start the conversation

0 comments

Register

Login

Forgot your password?

Your password has been sent to:

Please create a username to comment.