Help with WiFi question please?

Smudge · 08-27-2006, 11:35 PM

Hello:
I am considering setting up a wireless network in my home following the purchase of my new desktop. I already have a Dell Laptop that I am going to buy a wireless card for. So here are my questions:

I am pretty unfamiliar with the current technology of WiFi. I looked at some different products online. I see that for a router I have the choice of purchasing 802.11g or 802.11n (I may be missing more). What are the differences between these two (and others that I may have missed)?

If I get a router for my desktop that is 802.11g do I have to get a network card for my laptop that is 802.11g or can I get 802.11n for my laptop and vice versa?

Thanks in advance for any assistance in learning more about this technology!

Trizoy · 08-28-2006, 01:49 AM

If the router you BUY is B or G or B/G the Receiver on the Laptop or the Desktop must be the same. Meaning B/G (which is common) would work on both type B and Type G transmissions. The N is stil newer tech, and only if you need really high speds. G is 54Mbps, so it should be fine. Get a G router only, and I believe it is backward comliant to B.

**The_Other_One** · 08-28-2006, 02:13 AM

I did a bit of research, and "n" is a good bit faster if you plan on networking. However, the range is about half that of B/G. Also, it would be pointless unless you actually plan to network. If you simply plan to browse the internet, you won't see any difference between B/G/N...

tadpolefoder · 08-28-2006, 04:02 AM

One thing i like to point out to people is that for many home computer users, a faster wireless connection is not necessary. For example, an "older" wireless-b connection, which peaks at 11 Mbps. Now wireless G might be 54 Mbps, or 108 with speedbooster, but it's important to remember that a typical verizon dsl user will max out at under 1 Mbps. Even faster connections will most likely not max out 11 Mbps --- even a T1 connection is slower. You're only as slow as your weakest link, which, in this scenario, will almost always be the internet connection. Now the only situation which might require a faster connection in home would be file sharing. But unless you're running a high-paced business, even a slow 11 Mbps connection is sufficient for most music, picture, and document files.

tadpolefoder · 08-28-2006, 04:03 AM

That was a ridiculously long reply haha

08-27-2006, 11:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Smudge Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 114	Help with WiFi question please? Hello: I am considering setting up a wireless network in my home following the purchase of my new desktop. I already have a Dell Laptop that I am going to buy a wireless card for. So here are my questions: I am pretty unfamiliar with the current technology of WiFi. I looked at some different products online. I see that for a router I have the choice of purchasing 802.11g or 802.11n (I may be missing more). What are the differences between these two (and others that I may have missed)? If I get a router for my desktop that is 802.11g do I have to get a network card for my laptop that is 802.11g or can I get 802.11n for my laptop and vice versa? Thanks in advance for any assistance in learning more about this technology!

08-28-2006, 01:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Trizoy VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Campbell, Ca Posts: 4,650	If the router you BUY is B or G or B/G the Receiver on the Laptop or the Desktop must be the same. Meaning B/G (which is common) would work on both type B and Type G transmissions. The N is stil newer tech, and only if you need really high speds. G is 54Mbps, so it should be fine. Get a G router only, and I believe it is backward comliant to B. __________________ 01100110 01100001 01110010 01110100

08-28-2006, 02:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,362	I did a bit of research, and "n" is a good bit faster if you plan on networking. However, the range is about half that of B/G. Also, it would be pointless unless you actually plan to network. If you simply plan to browse the internet, you won't see any difference between B/G/N... __________________ Desktop * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT Laptop1 * C2D T5550 \| 3G RAM \| 120G HD \| Intel x3100 Laptop2 * C2D T5250 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100

08-28-2006, 04:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
tadpolefoder New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 21	One thing i like to point out to people is that for many home computer users, a faster wireless connection is not necessary. For example, an "older" wireless-b connection, which peaks at 11 Mbps. Now wireless G might be 54 Mbps, or 108 with speedbooster, but it's important to remember that a typical verizon dsl user will max out at under 1 Mbps. Even faster connections will most likely not max out 11 Mbps --- even a T1 connection is slower. You're only as slow as your weakest link, which, in this scenario, will almost always be the internet connection. Now the only situation which might require a faster connection in home would be file sharing. But unless you're running a high-paced business, even a slow 11 Mbps connection is sufficient for most music, picture, and document files. __________________ -Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro-SLI -Athlon64 3200+ Venice 2.0 ghz -1024 MB Corsair Value RAM -80 GB WD 7200 rpm -160 gb external SimpleDrive -eVGA GeForce 6800XT 256 MB -Logitech Cordless Desktop EX110 -Viewsonic 19" A90f+ -Windows XP Home -HP PSC 2410

08-28-2006, 04:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
tadpolefoder New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 21	That was a ridiculously long reply haha __________________ -Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro-SLI -Athlon64 3200+ Venice 2.0 ghz -1024 MB Corsair Value RAM -80 GB WD 7200 rpm -160 gb external SimpleDrive -eVGA GeForce 6800XT 256 MB -Logitech Cordless Desktop EX110 -Viewsonic 19" A90f+ -Windows XP Home -HP PSC 2410

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