Old-school Wi-Fi Is Slowing Down Networks, Cisco Says

alphadogg writes "The early Wi-Fi standards that opened the world's eyes to wire-free networking are now holding back the newer, faster protocols that followed in their wake, Cisco Systems said. The IEEE 802.11 standard, now available in numerous versions with speeds up to 6.9Gbps and growing, still requires devices and access points to be compatible with technologies that date to the late 1990s. But those older standards — the once-popular 802.11b and an even slower spec from 1997 — aren't nearly as efficient as most Wi-Fi being sold today. As a result, Cisco thinks the 802.11 Working Group and the Wi-Fi Alliance should find a way to let some wireless gear leave those versions behind. Two Cisco engineers proposed that idea last week in a presentation at the working group's meeting in Los Angeles. The plan is aimed at making the best use of the 2.4GHz band, the smaller of two unlicensed frequency blocks where Wi-Fi operates."

Re:so what about all my old devices?

[Bacon Bits]

I'm willing to bet there'd be a $2 adapter for your old printer.

So do I. I'm also willing to bet printer manufacturers will sell it for $80.

Re:so what about all my old devices?

[Anonymous Coward]

what have you done to Thor, are you a desendant of his brothers.?

Re:so what about all my old devices?

[Bloke down the pub]

And then send it back because it doesn't fucking work.