Blog
In today's hyper-connected world, Wi-Fi is as essential as electricity for most of us. Yet, while we use it daily, the terminology can sometimes be a puzzling mix of letters and numbers. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly searched Wi-Fi terms to help you navigate this wireless landscape more knowledgeably.
1. Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi isn't short for "Wireless Fidelity," as commonly thought; it actually doesn't stand for anything. The term was coined as a catchier, user-friendly name for the IEEE 802.11 standards used for wireless networking. Wi-Fi allows devices like smartphones, computers, and tablets to connect to the internet or communicate with one another wirelessly within a particular area.
2. SSID (Service Set Identifier)
An SSID is the name of a wireless network. When you're searching for Wi-Fi networks on your device, the names that appear are the SSIDs. This identifier allows you to distinguish between multiple networks in the same vicinity and connect to the correct one.
3. WPA2/WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
WPA2 and WPA3 are security protocols used to protect Wi-Fi networks. WPA2 has been the standard for secure wireless networks; however, WPA3, introduced in 2018, provides even stronger security features to safeguard against potential cyber threats. WPA3 improves upon WPA2 by offering enhanced encryption and greater protection against brute-force attacks.
4. GHz (Gigahertz)
This term refers to the radio frequency bands used by Wi-Fi networks. Common frequencies are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band provides broader coverage at slower speeds, while the 5 GHz band offers faster speeds over shorter distances. Some modern routers can operate on both frequencies simultaneously, providing optimal connectivity for various types of devices and applications.
5. 802.11
Developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 802.11 is a set of standards that define communication for wireless LANs (Local Area Networks). Over the years, these standards have evolved to provide quicker speeds and better security. The most common versions you might see are 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), and the newest 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), which offers improvements in speed, capacity, and efficiency.
6. Bandwidth
In Wi-Fi terms, bandwidth refers to the transmission capacity of a network. It is often described in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). More bandwidth means that more data can be transmitted at once, which is crucial for high-demand activities like streaming high-definition videos or online gaming.
7. Latency
Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from the sender to the receiver. In the context of Wi-Fi, lower latency means that it takes less time for data to be sent and received, resulting in faster network performance. This is particularly important in real-time applications like video calls or online gaming.
8. Mesh Network
A mesh network is a group of routers that seamlessly cooperate to provide Wi-Fi coverage over a large area. This system eliminates dead zones and provides a stable and consistent internet connection throughout your home or office. Each node in the mesh network communicates with the others, ensuring that devices are always connected to the strongest signal available.
9. MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output)
MU-MIMO is a technology used in modern routers that allows multiple devices to receive multiple data streams simultaneously. This significantly increases the network’s efficiency and capacity, which is ideal for bandwidth-intensive environments with many connected devices.
10. QoS (Quality of Service)
QoS is a feature found in some routers that prioritizes traffic according to the type of data being transmitted. For example, a router with QoS might prioritize video streaming or VoIP calls over file downloads to ensure smoother streaming and clearer call quality, respectively.
7SIGNAL is the leader in enterprise Wi-Fi optimization, providing insight into wireless networks and control over Wi-Fi performance so businesses can mitigate risk. Our cloud-based platform continuously tests and measures Wi-Fi performance at the edges of the network, enabling fast solutions to Wi-Fi issues and stronger connections for mission-critical users, devices and applications. The result is an experience unlike any other.