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WiFi v WLAN

I have looked through the FAQ's of various groups and a wider search across the Net, but cannot find the answer to this question, so I am hoping someone here can tell me.

I have a wireless network at home with 2 PCs attached, so that they can both access the internet. According to the documentation that came with it to attach other devices they should be "IEEE802.11g or IEEE802.11b (Wi-Fi) compliant" I am thinking of buying a PDA which I would like to be able to use the network. I have found that one (so far) says that it is WiFi compliant. Most say WLAN compliant.

Are these one and the same thing? If not what is the diference and are they compatable.

Thanks

H
Reply to
H
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Thanks Thomas.

I can pretend I know what I am talking about when I have to deal with the boys that sell all this techy stuff. Its nice to come in with something when they try to patronise me because I am over 25 and female. :-)

Cheers

H
Reply to
H

Actually, it used to be WiFi, but with the start of WiMax, (over the air high speed), and the confusion by some cell providers (WiFI/1X/EVDO/etc), The 802.11 a/b/g (and soon to also be i and j) is now sometimes termed WLAN to differentiate it (it is a term coming into more general use to specifically say only Wireless lan using 802.11 a/b/g... WLAN= Wireless LAN. Notice there are no standards yet about the names, just a general trend to try and make it easier for consumers to differentiate)

Specifically on the PDA thing, I use an iPAQ 4551 that is termed WiFi, but that has been replaced by a new model that is now termed WLAN compatible. Silly enuf, the old model (4551) that is termed WiFi, actually only works with what is now called WLAN... :)

Reply to
Peter Pan

search

Actually, the wi-fi alliance tests product compatibility between manufacturers. They use the 802.11, 11b, 11g and 11a standards as their guide. If a product is wi-fi certified, it means it has been tested to work with other manufacturers products according to the standards. If it is not wi-fi certified then it has not been tested and therefore no guarantee it will function properly. A product that merely says wlan compliant is not necessarily a wi-fi certified product. All wi-fi certified products are labled as such.

(WiFI/1X/EVDO/etc),

termed WLAN

Wireless LAN.

compatible.

Reply to
Airhead

That are just two word for one thing. WiFi = WLAN = Wireless LAN

Thomas

Reply to
Thomas Krüger

See what I mean about "no standards"... My fuji says "Wireless Enabled

802.11b/g"....Guess it won't work with the AP I have been using it with for the last year... (or fuji didn't pay them :)

Gary wrote:

Reply to
Peter Pan

I think it should say Wi-Fi Certified and carry the logo.

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Reply to
Gary

WiFi is the standard. Some nonstandard or prestandard kit will still work, there's no law prohibiting noncertified kit from working in some cases, its merely that it doesn't meet all the standards' requirements, or that it predates them.

Reply to
Mark McIntyre

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