IEEE 802 is a collection of networking standards that cover the physical and data-link layer specifications for technologies such as Ethernet and wireless. These specifications apply to local area networks (LAN) and metropolitan area networks (MAN). IEEE 802 also aids in ensuring multi-vendor interoperability by promoting standards for vendors to follow. Show
Essentially, the IEEE 802 standards help make sure internet services and technologies follow a set of recommended practices so network devices can all work together smoothly. IEEE 802 is divided into 22 parts that cover the physical and data-link aspects of networking. The family of standards is developed and maintained by the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee, also called the LMSC. IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The set of standards started in 1979 with a "local network for computer interconnection" standard, which was approved a year later. The LMSC has made more than 70 standards for IEEE 802. Some commonly used standards include those for Ethernet, bridging and virtual bridged LANs, wireless LAN, wireless PAN, MAN and radio access networks as well as media independent handover services. The better-known specifications include 802.3 Ethernet, 802.11 Wi-Fi and 802.15 Bluetooth/ZigBee. However, some of these standards have been labeled as disbanded or hibernating and are either superseded by newer standards or are being reworked. Using an open process, the LMSC advocates for these standards globally. Individual "working groups" are decided on and assigned to each area in order to provide each area with an acceptable amount of focus. IEEE 802 specifications also split the data link layer into two different layers -- an LLC layer and a MAC layer. Standards can be found in a PDF provided by the LMSC for up to six months after they have been published. All standards stay in place until they are replaced with another document or withdrawn. Why IEEE 802 standards are importantLMSC was formed in 1980 in order to standardize network protocols and provide a path to make compatible devices across numerous industries. Without these standards, equipment suppliers could manufacture network hardware that would only connect to certain computers. It would be much more difficult to connect to systems not using the same set of networking equipment. Standardizing protocols help ensure that multiple types of devices can connect to multiple network types. It also helps make sure network management isn't the challenge it could be if it wasn't in place. IEEE 802 will also coordinate with other international standards, such as ISO, to help maintain international standards. In addition, the "802" in IEEE 802 does not stand for anything with high significance. 802 was just the next numbered project. Examples of IEEE 802 usesThe IEEE 802 specifications can be used by commercial organizations to ensure their products maintain any newly specified standards. So, for example, the 802.11 specification that applies to Wi-Fi could be used to make sure Wi-Fi devices work together under one standard. In the same way, IEE 802 can help maintain local area network standards. These specifications can also define what connectivity infrastructure will be used for -- individual networks, or those at a larger organizational scale. The IEEE 802 specifications apply to hardware and software products. So, to ensure manufacturers don't have any input on the standards, there is a voting protocol in place. This makes sure that one organization does not influence the standards too much. Working groupsThe working groups are the different areas of focus within the 802 specifications. They are numbered from 802.1 onward.
Check here for a list of disbanded and hibernating standards. All the 802.11 specifications use the Ethernet protocol and Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) for path sharing. The original modulation used in 802.11 was phase-shift keying (PSK). However, other schemes, such as complementary code keying (CCK), are used in some of the newer specifications. The newer modulation methods provide higher data speed and reduced vulnerability to interference. This was last updated in October 2020 Next StepsNew IEEE network standards will accommodate 25 GbE. Continue Reading About IEEE 802 wireless standards
Dig Deeper on Network Infrastructure
Which of the following wireless IEEE standards operates on in the 2.4 GHz radio frequency and are directly compatible with each other?Which of the following wireless IEEE standards operate on the 2.4GHz radio frequency and are directly compatible with each other? (Choose two.) Both 802.11b and 802.11g operate in the 2.4GHz range and use similar transmission standards.
Which Wi802.11b. Released in September 1999, it's most likely that your first home router was 802.11b, which operates in the 2.4GHz frequency and provides a data rate up to 11 Mbps.
Which type of wireless network is based on the 802.11 standard and a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz radio frequency?The 802.11n standard was retroactively labelled as Wi-Fi 4 by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The standard added support for multiple-input multiple-output antennas (MIMO). 802.11n operates on both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz bands.
Which Wi802.11n was ratified in 2009 and has a theoretical maximum transmission speed of 600 Mbps. Its effective transmission speed depends on the innovations used, and ranges from 65 to 600 Mbps. The range of 802.11n is about 53 meters or 175 feet. It uses both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz frequencies.
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