Reference : IEEE 802 Standards

LMSC (the LAN-MAN Standards Committee) or IEEE Project 802 develops LAN and MAN standards for the lowest two layers of the OSI Model. The release from LMSC says that 802 was simply the next number in the sequence being issued by the IEEE for standard projects. But sometimes people relate the naming to its historical first meeting which was held in February, 1980.

LMSC coordinates its work with standard bodies as well as industry alliances in developing global standards. LMSC has been very productive and that is proven by many "802" standards that are used widely. In the past, 802 was not a consumer term but with the popularity of Wi-Fi or 802.11a/b/g, the "802" has become a familiar term. The following shows important 802 standards in category list:

IEEE 802: Overview & Architecture
IEEE 802.1: Bridging & Management
IEEE 802.2: Logical Link Control
IEEE 802.3 : CSMA/CD Access Method
IEEE 802.5 : Token Ring Access Method
IEEE 802.11: Wireless Local Area Networks
IEEE 802.12: Demand Priority Access Method
IEEE 802.15: Wireless Personal Area Networks
IEEE 802.16: Broadband Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks

The number that follows the 802 and the dot refers to the Working Group (WG) that produces the standard. The unique letter designation that often follows next refers to a Task Group (TG) within a Working Group that works on a particular standard or modifications to preceding standards.

 
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