What is the difference between Wifi and WiMAX?
Abbreviated Term: Wi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity, a term that was more of a marketing stint as it rhymed with Hi-Fi. WiMAX, on the other hand, stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access , a term fulfilling technological as well as commercial requirements
Official Release : Wi-Fi was officially launched in the year1997 where as WiMAX came to the picture in the year2004.
IEEE Standards: Wi-Fi has been defined under IEEE802.11x standards where x is various Wi-Fi versions. WiMAX is standardized under802.16y family of wireless networking where y refers to various WiMAX versions.
Versions of the Standard: Depending on several factors such as frequency, range, encryption, application etc., Wi-Fi has several versions of it such as802.11b,802.11g,802.11n.
On the similar factors, WiMAX has a number of different versions too:802.16a,802.16d and802.16e are some popular WiMAX versions.
Frequency Band: Wi-Fi has been defined under ISM bands where user has to pay no extra charging for utilizing those bands. On the contrast, there is no bar on frequency usage in the WiMAX. This means that WiMAX protocols might work in the ISM bands or they might use a licensed frequency version for which the user probably would be charged.
Encryption Techniques: Encryption techniques in WiMAX include Triple Data Encryption Algorithm and Advanced Encryption Standards. On the other hand, in Wi-Fi, encryption techniques are Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and RC4.
Applications: Wi-Fi and WiMAX, though being used for same purpose of data exchange, are designed to cater two completely different needs. Wi-Fi is needed to serve for household and corporate needs of interconnectivity. Wi-Fi technology connects printers to computer, gaming consoles to router etc.
WiMAX serves a larger inter-operable network. WiMAX can be used to provide internet services to a larger area where it can serve households, mobile phones and even Wi-Fi spots. WiMAX has a different hardware specification and currently WiMAX serving towers tend to be as tall as Wi-Fi towers. On the other hand, Wi-Fi antennas are small enough to be placed on5 inch by3 inch routers.
Range: An ideal Wi-Fi based network reaches around100metres as it maximum range whereas an ideal WiMAX network can reach about80-90kilometers in terms of range.
Authentication: Authentication is process under Network Security where connection is checked for its identity before being established. Both these wireless networking technologies apply different set of protocols for authentication purposes. Wi-Fi uses Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security algorithms depending on the Wi-Fi version. On the other hand, WiMAX uses X.509 or PKMv2 as authentication algorithms.
Data Transfer Rates: Wi-Fi based networking can transfer data at speeds up to54mbps. On the other hand, WiMAX networks exchange data at speeds upto40mbps. In WiMAX, data transfer rates have more variation as distances to be covered are quite larger.
Channel Bandwidth: Wi-Fi networks have a channel bandwidth of20MHz, whereas WiMAX networks have a flexible bandwidth option which ranges from1.25MHz to20MHz.
Bandwidth Efficiency: This term refers to bits of information sent per second per unit frequency. This is a measure of how qualitatively the channel is managed by the network. Bandwidth efficiency of a WiMAX channel (upto5bps/s/Hz) is theoretically twice as efficient as Wi-Fi based networks (upto0.44bps/s/Hz for802.11a and2.7bps/s/Hz for b/g/n standards).
Difference in MAC Layer: MAC layer is an essential part of an OSI model. It defines communication procedures that a protocol uses. Wi-Fi’s MAC layer uses CSMA/CA protocol which is not connection oriented while that in WiMAX is connection oriented.
Difference between Wifi and WiMax
WiFi and WiMax are used to create wireless network connections. WiFi is used to create small networks and used to connect printers, computers, gaming consoles, whereas WiMax uses spectrum to deliver connection to network. WiMax is used to provide Internet services such as Mobile Data and hotspots.
Go through this article to find out more about the features of WiFi and WiMax and how they are different from each other.
What is WiFi?
WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) is a combination of wireless network protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards that are widely used for device networking and Internet access, allowing adjacent digital devices to exchange data through radiowaves.
WiFi is widely used in home and small office networks to connect desktop and laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, printers, and smart speakers to a wireless router in order to connect them to the Internet and in public places such as coffee shops, hotels, libraries, and airports to provide the public Internet access for mobile devices.
WiFi is a small network where smartphones, computers or other networkable devices are connected to each other wirelessly within a small range and share Internet using hotspots. WiFi uses radio frequency waves for wireless high speed Internet and network connections. The size of a WiFi antenna is very small and can be put on small routers. WiFi can be used to connect printers, computers, gaming consoles, mobile and so on.
WiFi specifies how to physically create a wireless network using approaches similar to the Ethernet standard. WiFi is built into most of today’s computers and mobile devices, such as smartphones and handheld game consoles.
The WiFi standard is widely used in hotspots, which allow mobile users to connect to the internet using their WiFi-enabled wireless computers and devices. WiFi is also used in many homes and small companies to connect computers and devices wirelessly.
Features of WiFi
WiFi is used in Local Area Networks (LAN). Here are some of its important features −
- WiFi transmits the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio frequencies data, which is more secure and bigger than the 3G networks.
- WiFi technology is not so expensive.
- You can easily install WiFi on any computer or any other electronic device by introducing LAN on any computer with a wireless adapter.
- WiFi can also be used to connect gaming consoles, printers, laptops, and other such devices.
- WiFi networks have signal reach for about 300+ feet; therefore, they are best for indoor use.
What is WiMax?
WiMax stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. It is a collection of wireless broadband communication standards based on the IEEE 802.16 set of standards that offers a variety of physical layer (PHY) and Media Access Control (MAC) choices.
The WiMax Forum, which was founded in June 2001 to promote standard conformance and interoperability, including the creation of preset system profiles for commercial vendors, coined the term WiMax. WiMax is a standards-based technology that enables the delivery of last-mile wireless broadband connectivity as an alternative to cable and DSL.
IEEE 802.16m, also known as WirelessMAN-Advanced, was a competitor for 4G.
Features of WiMax
Following are some of the important features of WiMax −
- The IEEE 802.16 lays down the standards for both physical layer as well as a medium access control (MAC) layer for WiMax.
- WiMax initially provided data rates of 30 to 40 Mbps. The updated version that came in 2011 provides up to 1 Gbps data rates for fixed stations.
- The latest version of WiMax is WiMax release 2.1, popularly known as WiMax 2+.
- WiMax is comparable to Wi-Fi technology and so is nicknamed as «WiFi on steroids.» However, WiMax provides much higher data rates, is used for outdoor networks, and uses IEEE 802.16 standards in contrast to IEEE 802.11 standards of Wi-Fi.
- It operates in the frequency band of 2 GHz to 11 GHz. The bandwidth is dynamically allocated as per user requirements.
- WiMax uses orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with 256 channels.
- It uses convolutional codes, particularly Reed Solomon Codes for forward error correction (FEC) to deal with damaged frames.
- WiMax is used in areas where broadband cables are not accessible. WiMax can also be used for VoIP phone calls and IPTV.
Difference between WiFi and WiMax
WiFi is a wireless technology that works over a short distance, while WiMax is a long-range communication technology. The following table highlights the major differences between WiFi and WiMax.
WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity.
WiMax stands for Wireless Inter-operability for Microwave Access.
WiFi uses Radio waves to create wireless high-speed internet and network connections. A wireless adapter is needed to create hotspots.
WiMax uses spectrum to deliver connection to network and handle a larger inter-operable network.
WiFi is defined under IEEE 802.11x standards where «x» defines various WiFi versions.
WiMax is defined under IEEE 802.16y standards where «y» defines various WiMax versions.
WiFi is used in LAN applications.
WiFi is used in LAN applications.
WiFi does not guarantee Quality of Service (QoS).
WiMax ensures a high level of Quality of Service
WiFi is a technology that works over a short distance. WiFi network ranges at max 100 meters.
WiMax is a long-range communication technology. WiMax network ranges to max 90 kms.
WiFi transmission speed can be up to 54 mbps.
WiMax transmission speed can be up to 70 mbps.
Conclusion
WiFi establishes a wireless network that allows computers and devices with the required wireless capacity to communicate via radio waves. WiMax, on the other hand, is a collection of wireless broadband communication standards used for long range communication.
Difference Between WiMAX and Wifi
WiMAX and Wi-Fi are both wireless technologies but Wi-Fi can only be operated in short ranges (Max 250 m) and WiMAX could be operated in long ranges (around 30 Km). WiMAX has fixed and mobile version which could be used for several applications with higher bandwidth (around 40 Mbps). Like DSL or Cable internet in cities, WiMAX could be a cable broadband replacement in rural areas where most providers don’t have copper network to offer DSL services. And 40 Mbps is much faster than even ADSL2+. Triple play services like voice, video and data could be easily offered over WiMAX. The new version of WiMAX 802.16m is expected to deliver 1 Gbps which is equivalent to Fibre to Home and it’s very useful for backhauling of remote offices or provider access stations.
WiMAX (IEEE 802.16)
WiMAX (802.16) (Wireless Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a 4th Generation mobile access technology for high speed access. The current version of this technology can provide around 40 Mbps in reality and the updated version is expected to deliver 1Gbps in fixed endpoints.
WiMAX falls under IEEE 802.16 family and 802.16e (WiMAX expected wave 1, 1×2 SIMO) gives 23 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload and 802.16e (WiMAX expected wave 2, 2×2 MIMO (Multiple Input and Multiple Output) offers 46 Mbps downlink and 4 Mbps uplink . 802.16m is the expected version to be delivered around 1Gbps in fixed endpoints.
WiMAX has fixed version and mobile version. The fixed WiMAX version (802.16d and 802.16e) could be used for broadband solutions for home and can be used for backhauling remote offices or mobile stations. The WiMAX mobile version (802.16m) could be used as the replacement of GSM and CDMA technologies.
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family)
Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) is a wireless LAN technology which could be used in short range. It’s a most common wireless technology used in home, Hotspots and corporate internal wireless networks. Wi-Fi operates in 2.4GHz or 5GHz which are unallocated frequency band (Specially allocated for ISM – Industrial Scientific and Medical). Wi-Fi (802.11) has couple of varieties and some of them are 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n. 802.11a,b,g operates in 2.4 GHz frequency and range from 40-140 meters (in reality) and 802.11n operates in 5 GHz with OFDM modulation technology thus results higher speed (40Mbps in reality) ranged to 70-250 meters.
We can easily setup a Wireless LAN (WLAN) at home with Wireless Routers. When you setup Wi-Fi at home make sure you enable security features on it to avoid 3rd party access. Couple of them are, Secure Wireless or Encryption, MAC address filter and more than these don’t forget to change the default password of your wireless router.
Difference between WiMAX and Wi-Fi
(1) Both operates in Microwave frequency range to offer wireless access
(2) Wi-Fi a short range technology mostly used in, in-house applications whereas WiMAX is a long range technology to deliver wireless broadband to far end.
(3) Wi-Fi is mostly an end user technology where users can purchase Wi-Fi devices and configure them by themselves and WiMAX is mostly deployed by service providers.
(4) Wi-Fi uses CSMA/CA protocol which could be connection based or connection less whereas WiMAX uses connection oriented MAC protocol.