Wired LAN(IEEE 802.3) vs Wireless LAN(IEEE 802.11)

Wired LAN: IEEE 802.3 Standards

IEEE 802.3 is a collection of standards that define the physical and data link layers for wired Ethernet networks. This includes specifications for media access control (MAC) and various physical media types, primarily using copper and fiber optic cables. The standard was developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to facilitate packet-based communication in local area networks (LANs) 

Key Variants of IEEE 802.3

• 10BASE-T: 10 Mbps using twisted-pair cabling, up to 100 meters.

• 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet): 100 Mbps, also using twisted-pair cabling, with a maximum length of 100 meters.

• 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet): 1 Gbps over twisted-pair cabling, up to 100 meters.

• 10GBASE-T: 10 Gbps connections over twisted-pair cables, supporting lengths up to 100 meters 

These standards have evolved to support higher data rates and different types of cabling, reflecting advancements in technology and increasing demands for bandwidth.

Wireless LAN: IEEE 802.11 Standards

The IEEE 802.11 standards define wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies. These standards specify the protocols for over-the-air communication between wireless clients and access points, ensuring compatibility and interoperability among devices 
Key Variants of IEEE 802.11

• 802.11b: Operates at up to 11 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band using Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS).

• 802.11g: Offers speeds up to 54 Mbps in the same frequency band as 802.11b, using Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM).

• 802.11n: Supports multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology, achieving speeds exceeding 600 Mbps

Each variant enhances performance, range, and security features compared to its predecessors