ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the developments in high-performance gigabit capacity Wireless local area networks (WLAN) and the developments in supporting emergency traffic in WLANs. It also discusses the developments in wireless mesh and cognitive radio networks and the developments in vehicle-to-vehicle communications. The chapter describes the developments in green communication and networking and discusses new developments in WLAN security protocols. EEE 802.11ac is the next-generation WLAN standard that can offer Gigabit Ethernet capacity using wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology. Theoretically, 802.11ac enables multistation WLAN throughput of at least 1 Gbps and a single link throughput of at least 500 Mbps. The design goal of 802.11ad was to be backward compatible with Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 802.11 standards for WLANs and for 802.11ac and 802.11ad to be compatible at the medium access control layer, able to differ only in physical layer characteristics. Oganizations can use Wi-Fi Protected Access in conjunction with 802.1X authentication as a short-term solution to WLAN security.
