Wireless N is a name for wireless computer networking hardware that supports 802.11n Wi-Fi. Common types of Wireless N devices include network routers, wireless access points, and gaming adapters.
Wireless Access Point vs. WiFi Router
The term Wireless N became popular in 2006 when networking equipment manufacturers began developing hardware using 802.11n technology. Until the 802.11n industry standard was finalized in 2009, manufacturers could not legitimately claim that their products were 802.11n compatible.
The alternative terms Draft N and Wireless N were coined to distinguish these early products. Wireless N remained in use later, even for fully compliant products, as an alternative to the numerical name of the Wi-Fi standard.
When Wireless N first debuted, it was an improvement over the previous Wireless G and Wireless B standards. It was practically a mandatory upgrade, especially with increasing broadband speeds.
