Wi-Fi refers to wireless technology that allows devices to connect to a local area network (LAN) wirelessly, enabling access to the internet and communication with other devices. There are several types of Wi-Fi based on different standards and capabilities. These include:
- 802.11b/g/n: Older standards offering varying speeds up to 54 Mbps.
- 802.11ac: A faster standard supporting speeds up to several gigabits per second, suitable for high-bandwidth applications.
- 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6): The latest standard focusing on improving efficiency in high-density environments and enhancing speed and performance.
- 802.11ad (WiGig): Operating in the 60 GHz frequency band, providing very high-speed data transfer but over shorter distances.
Wi-Fi is used in various scenarios, such as in homes for internet access, in businesses for wireless networking, and in public spaces like cafes and airports. For example, a home Wi-Fi network allows multiple devices such as smartphones, laptops, and smart TVs to connect wirelessly to the internet and share resources like printers and storage devices.
Wireless networks are broadly categorized into four types:
- Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN): Covers short-range networks like Bluetooth and Zigbee.
- Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): Covers Wi-Fi networks within a limited area like homes, offices, and campuses.
- Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN): Covers larger areas like cities, using technologies such as WiMAX.
- Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN): Covers large geographic areas using cellular technologies like 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G.
The term “Wi-Fi” is derived from “Wireless Fidelity,” a play on the term “Hi-Fi” (High Fidelity) used in audio technology. It was chosen as a brand name for wireless LAN technology by the Wi-Fi Alliance, a trade organization that promotes and certifies Wi-Fi products for interoperability. The name has become widely recognized globally as synonymous with wireless networking technology.