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Glossary · Other

IEEE

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

In plain language

The professional body whose standards set how Wi-Fi, Ethernet and many other technologies work.

The metaphor

Like the committee that agrees on the shape of the plug so every appliance fits every wall.

Going deeper

How it works

  • It publishes numbered standards that vendors follow.
  • 802.3 is wired Ethernet and 802.11 is Wi-Fi.
  • 802.1X is a standard for checking who connects to a port or Wi-Fi.
  • A product page saying it supports a standard tells you what it can talk to.
In practice
  • A router lists support for 802.11ax, also called Wi-Fi 6.
  • A switch supports 802.1X to control who plugs in.
  • A quote compares equipment by the standards it supports.

A question owners ask

Why do I see these numbers on a product page?

They tell you the generation of technology. A higher letter after 802.11 generally means a newer, faster Wi-Fi.

Where WILDCARD handles this
Network
  • Firewall managed and monitored
  • Switches kept current
  • On-prem Active Directory auth
Start with Network
Related terms
ACLAccess Control ListAHAuthentication HeaderAPAccess PointARPAddress Resolution ProtocolBPDUBridge Protocol Data UnitCCMPCounter Mode/CBC-MAC ProtocolCCTVClosed-circuit TelevisionCHAPChallenge Handshake Authentication Protocol

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