Wireless networks are readily available today and the popularity is steadily growing. The ease of installation is the main selling point of wireless Internet which eliminates the need to run cabling through ceilings and walls.  However, wireless Internet raises security concerns.  One of the available encryption methods should be used as well as an access list if your router is so equipped.  Access lists allow devices to function and other MAC addresses to be ignored.

802.11b/g - equipment runs on the 2.4 gigahertz band as do microwave ovens, cordless phones and neighbors with similar equipment. Co-interference is very possible in many situations. The range of most equipment is close to 300 feet indoors to 1000 feet outdoors. Careful planning will eliminate interference, maximize your security and give you the most throughput for your investment.

802.11a - Since the 2.4 GHz band is heavily used, using the 5 GHz band gives 802.11a the advantage of less interference. However, this high carrier frequency also brings disadvantages. It restricts the use of 802.11a to almost line of sight, necessitating the use of more access points; it also means that 802.11a cannot penetrate as far as 802.11b since it is absorbed more readily, other things (such as power) being equal.

802.11n - IEEE 802.11n builds on previous 802.11 standards by adding multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and 40 MHz channels to the PHY (physical layer), and frame aggregation to the MAC layer.

MIMO is a technology which uses multiple antennas to coherently resolve more information than possible using a single antenna. One way it provides this is through Spatial Division Multiplexing (SDM). SDM spatially multiplexes multiple independent data streams, transferred simultaneously within one spectral channel of bandwidth. MIMO SDM can significantly increase data throughput as the number of resolved spatial data streams is increased. Each spatial stream requires a discrete antenna at both the transmitter and the receiver. In addition, MIMO technology requires a separate radio frequency chain and analog-to-digital converter for each MIMO antenna which translates to higher implementation costs compared to non-MIMO systems.

40 MHz channels is another feature incorporated into 802.11n which doubles the channel width from 20 MHz in previous 802.11 PHYs to transmit data. This allows for a doubling of the PHY data rate over a single 20 MHz channel. It can be enabled in the 5 GHz mode, or within the 2.4 GHz if there is knowledge that it will not interfere with any other 802.11 or non-802.11 (such as Bluetooth) system using those same frequencies.

Coupling MIMO architecture with wider bandwidth channels offers increased physical transfer rate over 802.11a (5 GHz) and 802.11g (2.4 GHz).

Wireless Channels - Wireless channels range from channel 1 - 11.  The channel determines which operating frequency will be used. It should not be necessary to change the wireless channel unless you notice interference problems with another nearby access point.