Difference between WLAN and Wi-Fi

WLAN or WiFi? Most users will say that the main thing is wireless Internet. However, the terms that are often used interchangeably do not mean, strictly speaking, the same thing.

Kassel – In today's digital world, the terms WLAN and Wi-Fi are ubiquitous. They are often used interchangeably to describe wireless networks. While people in Germany like to use the term WLAN, Wi-Fi is more common in other countries. But what many people don't know: WLAN and Wi-Fi are not the same.

Difference Between Wi-Fi and WLAN – A General and More Specific Term for Wireless Networks

WLAN stands for “Wireless Local Area Network” and describes a wireless local area network. It allows devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops to be connected without cables. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, stands for “Wireless Fidelity” and was introduced in 1999 by the Wi-Fi Alliance, a consortium that wanted to ensure interoperability between WLAN-enabled devices, the portal learned. Titchbook.

The Wi-Fi Alliance tests devices to see if they can communicate with each other and exchange data. A device that passes Wi-Fi Alliance certification receives the familiar WiFi logo. So while Wi-Fi is a specific type of WLAN that meets the so-called IEEE 802.11 standard, WLAN can be understood as a catch-all term for wireless networks.

Wi-Fi isn't just the buzzword for wireless, especially in English-speaking countries. It's loud. heise.de It is also one of the most popular WiFi technologies. Although the use of the term Wi-Fi is more specific in most cases, it is not incorrect to generally refer to wireless networks as WLAN. Currently, users of Asus WiFi routers need to be careful – there are security gaps in certain models.

Wi-Fi 7 as early as 2024? The next generation of Wi-Fi is just getting started

The introduction of Wi-Fi in 1999 was an important step in the history of wireless networking. The IEEE 802.11 standard has been continuously developed since then. Different versions of the standard (a/b/g/n/ac/ax) constantly improve the performance and efficiency of Wi-Fi. Of the If you are having problems connecting to WiFi in certain places, you can try some tips:.

The 802.11ax version, known as Wi-Fi 6, has been in use since 2019. This version offers faster speeds and better performance in densely populated areas. Another development is Wi-Fi 6E, which also uses the 6 GHz frequency band and thus increases data throughput and reduces channel utilization, writes Titchbook.

The next generation, Wi-Fi 7 or 802.11be, is already in development and is currently being certified, she said. shortening. This version is said to offer faster speeds and improved responsiveness. As the Wi-Fi Alliance predicts, Wi-Fi 7 will be running on more than 2.1 billion devices by 2028. (g)