802.11b - 11Mbps per channel over three channels in the 2.4GHz range
(also shared with microwaves and cordless phones) at rages up to ~300 ft.
802.11a runs on 12 channels in the 5GHz range and up to around five
times more bandwidth (~54Mbps or so) but has less range (60-100 ft).
8021.11a also adds Forward Error Correction into the scheme to allow for
more reliable data transmission.
Which to use really depends on what you're doing with it. Streaming
video almost necessitates 802.11a, while streaming just audio can be
comfortably done with 802.11b provided that there isn't much
interference or too many clients.
Prices? Don't know... Haven't done the research. For covering a large
area 802.11a will be more expensive due to the need for more APs. If you
want to reach the local coffee shop, however, you will need a
directional antenna either way.
Check out http://www.80211-planet.com, they've got some good articles on
802.11... Also, some of the best info on 802.11 security I've seen can
be found at http://www.drizzle.com/~aboba/IEEE/.
Give me bandwidth or give me death,
Elias
Tom wrote:
>... I have one very pressing question.... Wifi ranges.. ...
>
>Do I got for 802.11b stuff or do I gold out for 802.11a ? Is the price
>point break goign to warrant the differnce?
>

No, hits=-11.5 required=5.0
	tests=AWL,EMAIL_ATTRIBUTION,KNOWN_MAILING_LIST,
	      RCVD_IN_UNCONFIRMED_DSBL,SIGNATURE_SHORT_DENSE
	version=2.50-cvs

No, hits=-7.8 required=5.0
	tests=AWL,EMAIL_ATTRIBUTION,KNOWN_MAILING_LIST,NOSPAM_INC,
	      QUOTED_EMAIL_TEXT,REFERENCES,REPLY_WITH_QUOTES,
	      SIGNATURE_SHORT_DENSE,USER_AGENT,X_ACCEPT_LANG
	version=2.50-cvs

Elias Sinderson wrote:
> 802.11b - 11Mbps per channel over three channels in the 2.4GHz range
> (also shared with microwaves and cordless phones)
Microwaves, cordless phones and video-based baby monitors....
Greg
--
Gregory Alan Bolcer, CTO  | work: +1.949.833.2800
gbolcer at endeavors.com  | http://endeavors.com
Endeavors Technology, Inc.| cell: +1.714.928.5476

No, hits=-9.8 required=5.0
	tests=AWL,IN_REP_TO,KNOWN_MAILING_LIST,USER_AGENT_PINE
	version=2.50-cvs