802.11b, or IEEE 802.11b, is a standard that has been developed by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers). The IEEE is an international organization that develops standards for hundreds of electronic and electrical technologies. The organization uses a series of numbers, like the Dewey Decimal system in libraries, to differentiate between the various technology families.

Although the IEEE eventually published three specifications for Wi-Fi systems, the most commonly used is 802.11b, which allows the transmission of data at 11 megabits per second over a range of 100-1000 feet. During the past several years, 802.11b has been used around the world to set up wireless local area networks in offices, homes, and public spaces.

A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, with an 11 Mbps (802.11b) or 54 Mbps (802.11a) data rate or with products that contain both bands (dual band), so they can provide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used in many offices.

A Wi-Fi network operates just like a wired network without the restrictions imposed by wires. Not only does it enable users to move around and be mobile at home and at work, it also provides easy connections to the Internet and business networks while traveling.

In order to communicate over the latter network, your computer must be equipped with a Wi-Fi compatible radio (also known as a "Wi-Fi card" or "802.11b card). Many new laptops come equipped with a radio of this kind as standard equipment; if you recently bought a notebook or handheld computer check the manufacturer's manual to see if it is already Wi-Fi compatible.  Several different types are available:

Wi-Fi networks use a radio band to "broadcast" data to other Wi-Fi enabled equipment and the most common client device is the PC Card Wi-Fi radio--a standard Type II PC Card that slides into your laptop's PC Card slot.  These cards used to be known as PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) cards but are now simply called PC Cards.

Most desktop computers do not provide PC slots for Wi-Fi PC radios. You can solve this problem by using a PCI/ISA bus adapter or a USB adapter.

For most users with desktop computers, the easiest way to add a Wi-Fi radio is to use a USB adapter, a one-piece unit that combines a Wi-Fi radio and a USB converter circuit. Simply plug the USB connector into one of the USB jacks on your desktop PC. Because their power is delivered through the USB cable, most USB adapters don't require a separate DC power module.

Many Wi-Fi vendors provide ISA and PCI-compliant radios that fit inside a desktop computer and enable the computer to work in a Wi-Fi network. (Until recently, most computers internally contained open slots called ISA and PCI buses, but in most new computers you will find only PCI.) These can be either one-piece ISA or PCI radios or two-piece units that comprise a PC Card reader or adapter and a separate Wi-Fi PC Card Radio that slides into the reader.

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