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schalliol · Mar 20, 2006, 10:26 AM

Not getting any response from the Networking folks, I thought I'd ask here in the MacBook Pro forum about 802.11a access. The manual says it has it, yet I haven't heard of anyone actually using 802.11a.

Here's the Networking thread: http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?t=289498

schalliol · Mar 22, 2006, 01:55 PM

bump

schalliol · Mar 29, 2006, 01:58 PM

I know I'm cross-posted on this, but I thought I'd bump this too as I'm concerned this may be a problem with the way the MBP works (at least the software as it relates to the MBP).

Daedalus256 · Mar 29, 2006, 02:18 PM

isn't 802.11a outdated and not really standard protocol? I'm fairly certain a came out before both b and g and just isn't used anymore because G is a better protocol.

schmoe · Mar 29, 2006, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Daedalus256

isn't 802.11a outdated and not really standard protocol? I'm fairly certain a came out before both b and g and just isn't used anymore because G is a better protocol.

Nope, 802.11a is certainly a standard and operates the 5ghz band which is much less crowded so less interference. 802.11a is also suppose to have slightly better performance. Microsoft actually recommends using it with the XBox 360 rather than 802.11g because of the performance needs of online gaming. 802.11g is more popular because it is backwards compatible with 802.11b.

mduell · Mar 30, 2006, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by Daedalus256

isn't 802.11a outdated and not really standard protocol? I'm fairly certain a came out before both b and g and just isn't used anymore because G is a better protocol.

G won out in the market because it's backward compatible with B (although a lot of A radios also support B and G) and cheaper. A is a standard (part of the same 802.11 standard that B, G, I, and N are), operates in a less crowded band (5.8Ghz) so it has less problems with interference, offers more channels, and may perform better than G (depending on conditions).

schalliol · Apr 17, 2006, 12:55 PM

Anything else here folks? I can't seem to see the network in OS X or in XP, even though the user manual says it supports 802.11a.

nerd · Apr 17, 2006, 08:52 PM

If I remember right (i've been known to be wrong) the channels int he 5.8ghz band are full bandwidth for each channel. No overlapping channels like the 2.4ghz band does.

Okay I got unlazzy and looked it up. 802.11a uses 20mhz wide channels that do not overlap. 802.11b uses 22mhz wide channels but they do overlap so you only get 3 nonoverlapping channels with 802.11b

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/...g/bkscgaxa.htm

jjs357 · Apr 17, 2006, 08:58 PM

I am using an old (original) Apple Airport with my MBP and can use wireless just fine.

I am typing this reply using this connection.

Jim

mduell · Apr 17, 2006, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by jjs357

I am using an old (original) Apple Airport with my MBP and can use wireless just fine.

I am typing this reply using this connection.

What does your 802.11b connection have to do with this thread on 802.11a?

jjs357 · Apr 17, 2006, 11:14 PM

Ah... my bad. I was remembering (wrongly it seems) that the very first Apple supported wireless was .11a protocol. Based on your response, it seems this is incorrect.

Mithras · Apr 17, 2006, 11:46 PM

This page:
http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/whatsinside.html

mentions 802.11g, and not a. I have a feeling that the manual either had a mistake, or (perhaps) there's 802.11a hardware in there, but it's not enabled.

schalliol · May 25, 2006, 03:12 PM

Can anyone confirm what's going on here? There really is official documention that 802.11a is included.

schalliol · Aug 7, 2006, 12:47 PM

This adds some interest regarding this topic:

From AppleMatters
8:10 We arrived at 6:00 am after waiting and waiting by are now in the buidling. In a holding area on the second floor of Moscone West. Waiting to get shuffled to the next spot. Interestingly Apple has 5.8 ghz wireless that only works on the new Macbook Pros. Stayed tuned.