Data rates for 11a and 11b?

[dchia78]

Hi,

I understand from some reports that for the 802.11b (11mbps), the data rate can only reach the most 4.5 - 5.5 mbps. It will never reach 11mbps. Is that true?

If that's true, how is the data rates for cisco aps?

How about the 11a standard? What is the "actual" data speed like?

[blue.modal]

11Mbps is the max *signalling * rate for 802.11b. With the right packet size (and a strong signal) the good devices, Cisco included, will achieve about 6Mbps (the best test is an FTP file transfer).

At the lower signalling rates (1, 2 & 5.5Mbps) you should also get about 66% of that for data throughput. It's a little different because 1 & 2Mbps use a different coding, but that's close.

Actual throughput for 802.11a is about 22Mbps, with around 35Mbps for the proprietary 'turbo' modes.

Matthew Wheeler

Chief Wireless Architect

www.BlueModal.com