[Trae Johnson]

Wireless LAN standards play a significant role in defining the devices’ communication on wireless networks. IEEE 802.11n and IEEE 802.11ac are two common WLAN standards. IEEE 802.11n, or Wi-Fi 4, makes use of both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and offers a data rate of up to 600 Mbps. It uses Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) technology, enhancing performance and coverage by transmitting and receiving data through multiple antennas. IEEE 802.11ac, or Wi-Fi 5, is available only on the 5 GHz band and provides much faster data rates, with speeds going up to several gigabits per second. This standard incorporates innovative elements such as beamforming, advanced MIMO, and wider channel bandwidths that enhance the efficiency of the network and wireless communication speed (Oliviero & Woodward, 2021).

Reference:
Oliviero, J., & Woodward, J. (2021). CompTIA Network+ guide to managing and troubleshooting networks (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.