The difference between Wi-Fi and WLAN

Wireless LAN or Wi-Fi? Most users will say that the main thing is wireless Internet. However, the terms that are often used interchangeably do not, strictly speaking, mean 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 such as smartphones, tablets and laptops to be connected without cables. On the other hand, the word Wi-Fi 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 learns. Titchbook.

The Wi-Fi Alliance conducts tests to ensure that devices 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 an umbrella 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 a significant 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) continually improve the performance and efficiency of Wi-Fi. From If you have problems connecting to WiFi in certain places, you can try some tips.

Version 802.11ax, known as Wi-Fi 6, has been in use since 2019. This version provides 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 usage, he writes. Titchbook.

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