IEEE 802.11b/a/g/n dual-band access points with two radios can support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz RF bands at the same time, on different radios. They offer a backward compatibility, a larger number of channels, and increased throughput. Wireless network devices with a dual-band radio can scan both the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands and choose the best access point on either band. Dual-band access points are suitable to a wide range of network topologies.
Dual-band access points are not only providing increased bandwidth, but it is also fairly using dual-band radios to segregate data types onto the different RF bands. The 5 GHz radio can serve wireless traffic from time-sensitive voice/data clients while the 2.4 GHz radio supports data traffic from laptops. This helps to reduce data and voice traffic contention by creating two separate RF networks.
Since both 802.11a and 802.11n are able to use a different RF band, it is not affected by interference from the possible pervasive 802.11b or 802.11g wireless networks, and is better insulated from overhead activity, such as probes or responses from clients generated by internal and external 802.11b or 802.11g wireless networks.
