IEEE 802

What Does IEEE 802 Mean?

IEEE 802 is an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard set that covers the physical and data link layers of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. It defines standards and protocols for wired local area networks (WLAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN) and wireless networks; defines characteristics, operating procedures, protocols and services for networks that carry variable sized packets and specifies the development and handling of compatible devices and equipment.

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Techopedia Explains IEEE 802

IEEE 802 subdivides the data link layer into sublayers, namely the logical link control (LLC) and media access control (MAC) layers, which provide protocol multiplexing and a multi-access mechanism, respectively.

IEEE 802 is comprised of standards with separate working groups that regulate different communication networks, including IEEE 802.1, 802.3, 802.11 and 802.15.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…