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2.11.1. Channels and Bands
2.4 GHz Band:
- 11 channels in US (13 in most other countries)
- Only channels 1, 6, and 11 are non-overlapping
- Longer range, but more interference (microwaves, Bluetooth)
- 20 MHz channel width
5 GHz Band:
- 24+ non-overlapping channels (varies by region)
- Shorter range, less interference
- Supports wider channels (40, 80, 160 MHz)
⚠️ Exam Trap: In a multi-AP deployment, adjacent APs should use non-overlapping channels (1, 6, 11 for 2.4 GHz) to avoid co-channel interference.
802.11 generations:
| Standard | Wi-Fi name | Bands | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 802.11g | (legacy) | 2.4 GHz | Up to 54 Mbps |
| 802.11n | Wi-Fi 4 | 2.4 and 5 GHz | MIMO (up to 4 spatial streams), 40 MHz channels |
| 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 5 | 5 GHz only | Downlink MU-MIMO, 256-QAM, up to 160 MHz channels |
| 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 6 (Wi-Fi 6E adds 6 GHz) | 2.4 and 5 GHz | OFDMA (many clients share one transmission), 1024-QAM, Target Wake Time (TWT) for client battery savings, up to 8 spatial streams and 160 MHz channels—built for dense environments |
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Written byAlvin Varughese
Founder•20 professional certifications