In this case, the ratification process started more than three years ago. Initially, there seemed to be agreement about one particular approach to meeting the goals of the standard, but a rift developed between vendors that slowed down the process even more than usual.

That rift has been resolved. At a March meeting in Orlando, the working group gave formal approval to Draft 2.0 and set as a goal to publish the final standard in October 2008 (Since then, the date for ratification has been pushed back to March 2009). The draft received more than 80 percent approval among voters in the group; 75 percent was required for approval. That indicates that there was a high level of consensus and that there likely will be few, if any, substantive changes between Draft 2 and the final, ratified version of the standard. However, a Draft 3.0 still must be approved, which will deal with Wi-Fi in consumer electronics devices such as camcorders and media players.

Does that mean we can't expect 802.11n products until final ratification?

Products based on Draft 2 are available now and have received generally positive reviews both in terms of increased speed and range and compatibility with older Wi-Fi products. The products are being aimed at consumers; as stated previously, corporate IT shops are unlikely to be interested until after final ratification of the standard.

Vendors are not making promises, but they are saying it is their hope that the Draft 2 products will be firmware upgradable to the final, ratified standard when it is eventually approved. After that time, enterprise-focused vendors such as Cisco are expected to release 802.11n products.

Aren't draft-802.11n products being certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance? If so, what does that mean?

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a trade organization made up of Wi-Fi vendors; it is not a standard-setting body. However, because the standard-setting process can be long and tortuous, Wi-Fi equipment vendors were anxious to release next-generation products. There were frequent reports that products based on Draft 1.0 had problems interoperating with older Wi-Fi products and with other Draft 1.0 products. However, products based on Draft 2 seem to be more reliable and interoperable.

To make sure that's the case, the Wi-Fi Alliance will start certifying products based on Draft 2 this summer, testing for interoperability and compliance with the draft specification. That means that any products you buy that are certified will be backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g. It isn't known yet, however, whether they will be forward compatible with products based on the ratified standard.