What is the maximum speed of the 802.11g standard?

The maximum speed of the 802.11g standard is 54 Mbps. This wireless networking standard, introduced in 2003, operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and is backward compatible with the earlier 802.11b standard. What sets 802.11g apart is its ability to achieve higher data rates compared to previous standards, primarily by utilizing techniques such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM).

Understanding the development and capabilities of wireless standards is crucial for evaluating network performance. For example, while 802.11b operates at a maximum speed of 11 Mbps, and earlier standards like 802.11 and 802.11a offered even lower speeds, 802.11g improved the speed significantly without sacrificing compatibility with older devices. The 300 Mbps option comes from more advanced standards like 802.11n, which utilizes multiple antennas to achieve higher throughput, while the lower speeds reflect older standards that do not meet the performance level of 802.11g.

The significance of knowing the maximum speed of 802.11g is especially relevant for anyone managing or setting up wireless networks, as it gives insights into the performance expectations and equipment compatibility.