Wireless G in presence of B devices ?

[ronsou]

I have a stable, good 802.11B home-office network with about 6 wireless devices and 4 wired devices. I use Orinoco Silver B cards for laptops, DLINK router/access point, and an additional DLINK access point for better signal in far end of house. All works very well - stable, everybody sees everybody, and I get good signal strength and monitor shows link at 11 Mbps.

Nonetheless, I am thinking of upgrading my wireless cards, router, and AP to 802.11 G for the promise of greater throughput.

However, one device I have has an integrated wireless 802.11B adapter (its a Viewsonic VS110 airpanel display) and there is no way to upgrade it to G. So unless I were to junk the Viewsonic, I will have a hybrid of mostly G, but one B, device on the network.

I have heard that G devices in the presence of a B device do not offer greater throughput than B. In fact, they can be even slower. I am unclear though if this is only the case if a B and G device are directly communication, or only if the two are on the same network. If its just an issue when they are directly communicating, its not a problem for me. But if this is true all the time, then there would be no point for me to upgrade.

Any comments or advice as to whether an upgrade is likely to yield benefits, or if its not worth it ?

[cszeto]

There are quite a few "G" advocates, but you might pay closer attention to the distance/coverage reductions that some are experiencing. The fact is the wireless devices are constantly communicating when they are on the network, whether or not there is any actual data being sent.

[ronsou]

Thanks. Thats in line with some of what I've heard, which makes me hesitant. Most of the time (but not ALL the time), my clients are close to an AP - like within 30 feet without walls. Maybe I'd be better with combo A/B rather than G ?

Any G advocates who think this would be a good move for me ?

[TANKORR]

I am using an SMC 2804 and have good range and speed even at the room that is located at the other end of the house one floor up. As for a b\g enviroment I think the issue is that once a b device connects the router will default back to b speeds. I have had a b card connect and the g cards speed did not change.

BTW the g card is an SMC.

[ronsou]

Tankorr,
Thanks for the response. I want to make sure I understand you correctly. You are saying that your G clients do get G speeds (i.e. something well above 11Mbps) and that they continue to do so even after a B client connects ? Do I understand you correctly ?

(Does order matter ? i.e. must the G clients associate to the AP before the B client does in order for the G speeds to be realized.)

Thank you.

[JackMDS]

Going with 802.11a will take no-where since it is not clear what the future of “a” is.

Get an 802.11g, and if the"b" takes your system down “junk” the Viewsonic.

Link to: 802.11a/b/g SOHO Routers & Access Points: Performance. (http://www.80211-planet.com/reviews/CD/article.php/1585191)

.

[TANKORR]

Originally posted by ronsou
Tankorr,
Thanks for the response. I want to make sure I understand you correctly. You are saying that your G clients do get G speeds (i.e. something well above 11Mbps) and that they continue to do so even after a B client connects ? Do I understand you correctly ?

(Does order matter ? i.e. must the G clients associate to the AP before the B client does in order for the G speeds to be realized.)

Thank you.


Yes you understand me! As for your second question well I am not sure but you may be correct. The G was connected first!

[TANKORR]

FYI - I had the B laptop connted first and then booted up the G laptop and each was getting the full rated speed.


Cheers