Friday, July 31, 2009

802.11n finalization just a formality, interoperability to be preserved


Cmon, say it with us: "phew!" Considering that just about everyone has been shipping "802.11n" wireless kit since draft 2.0 was put into play two summers ago, we couldnt be more relieved to see the Wi-Fi Alliance confirm that it wont change the baseline requirements of its 802.11n certification program when the format gets certified this September. Just as wed heard, the WiFi standard will leave its stagnant draft status and sashay into the wondrous realm of officialdom in merely two months, with the updated test program to "preserve interoperability with more than 600 Wi-Fi certified 802.11n draft 2.0 products released since June 2007, while adding testing for some optional features now included in the standard." Good thing, too -- can you imagine the uproar if your forthcoming 802.11n dongle wouldnt play nice with that draft-N router you snagged last June?