Wireless Standards and Frequency Bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz Overview

2.4 GHz

The most widely used and used for long range and can go through some objects such as drywall.

Range of 2.4 GHz

2.400 - 2.495

Channels for 2.4 GHz

Operates Channel 11, 13, 14; Channel 1, 6, 11 do not interfere with any other channel.

5 GHz

Based on 802.11 Network.

Range of 5 GHz

5.725 - 5.875

Channels for 5 GHz

Has 24 channels that don't overlap and has shorter range.

6 GHz

Newer; uses WiFi and has even more channels and bandwidth.

Range of 6 GHz

Range from 5.925 to 7.125

802.11h

This is the European regulations for wireless networking.

Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)

A feature that devices use to actively monitor the environment for radar signals.

Transmit Power Control (TPC)

Allows devices to adjust their transmitting power to the minimum for maintaining good quality connection.

Band Steering

Optimizes the distributions of client devices across different frequency bands.

802.11a

Operates in the 5 GHz; Range: 35 meters; Speed: 54 Mbps; Throughput: 20-30 Mbps; Expensive to install.

802.11b

Operates in the 2.4 GHz; Range: 35 meters; Speed: 54 Mbps; Throughput: 20-30 Mbps.

802.11g

Operates in the 2.4 GHz; Range: 140 meters; Speed: 54 Mbps; Throughput: 30-32 Mbps.

802.11n (Wi-Fi 4)

Operates in the 5 GHz; Range: 35 meters; Speed: 600 Mbps; Throughput: 140-150 Mbps.

802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)

Operates in the 5 GHz; Range: 35 meters; Speed: 6.9 Gbps; Throughput: 100-500 Mbps.

802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)

Operates in the 2.4, 5, 6 GHz; Speed: Up to 9.6 Gbps; Throughput: 600-900 Mbps.

802.1Q

VLAN tagging/ trunking

802.1X

Port-Based Access Control

802.1AB

LLDP

802.1AX

LACP

802.1D

STP