802.11N vs 802.11G

[jyeh74]

Hi everyone. I am a little confused on what the term N vs G is. I currently have a Netgear 802.11G router. I am trying to get a USB network adapter for my desktop so I can browse internet wirelessly. I don't know the difference between these two:

Airlink USB "N" card
http://www.meritline.com/awll6077-wireless-802-11n-usb-apapter---p-34956.aspx

Netgear USB "G" card
http://www.meritline.com/netgear-wg111-v2-80211g-wireless-usb-2-adapter---p-23980.aspx

I figure since my service provider (Comcast) gives me 12mb/sec and I have a G router, it does not make sense to get a N card as it will be limited by the G router.

I'm trying to undestand how the router (G or N) plays a factor on my 12 mb/sec download speeds. Even if I get 50 mb/sec with a G router, will it be slower with 50 mb/sec with a N router? Or is this just milli-second speeds on how it distributes the speed to the different computers connected to the router?

Thanks!

[jyeh74]

Found these three Netgear USB network adapter cards and have no idea what the difference is:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122253
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122321
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122272

I know all are 802.11 b/g but the speeds are different. First one is Up to 108Mbps. Second one is Up to 300Mbps. Third one is Up to 54Mbps BUT more expensive than the first one (which is faster)

[jagabo]

Don't count on wireless routers to deliver their rated speeds. You'll often get much less depending on distance, walls, interference, neighbors routers, etc. Is internet access your only need? You don't have (or will have in the future) multiple computers?

I'd go for N. Especially if you can find one that meets the recently ratified final draft of the N spec. Or at least one that guarantees a firmware update will get you there.

[jyeh74]

Jagabo, thanks for the reply. I currently have 3 computers hooked up (2 laptops and 1 desktop- the one I am trying to get the wireless USB network adapter for)

I don't know the difference between the Netgear ones above so if folks can help with the variations and why the 54Mbps is more expensive than the 108Mbps, that would be great!

thanks

[Nelson37]

One has RangeMax, a proprietary standard, unique to one company. One is Draft N, a "standard" that is not yet standardized.

If you really want speed, run an ethernet cable to the router. Blows wireless into the weeds.

I would get a Gigabiat router, and wait until N is nailed down. No company can guarantee an update to the N standard because they do not yet know what that means. If you must do it, get the card and router, and all future cards for all future PC's, from the same series and the came company.

If you go with the USB stick, get a USB extension cable. Allows a much greater variety of placement locations, allowing for a quite possibly dramatic difference in reception consistency and speed.

[aedipuss]

one is a known brand and the other - airlink isn't. appears to be cheap chinese junk... may work may not. but the other is a re-furb - it already didn't work for someone.

[jagabo]

No company can guarantee an update to the N standard because they do not yet know what that means.

The 802.11n standard was ratified a few days ago:
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1533370/ieee-finally-approves-802-11n-wifi-standard

According to the IEEE all existing WiFi Certified 802.11 Draft N wireless products will still work with the final standard.

[jyeh74]

One has RangeMax, a proprietary standard, unique to one company. One is Draft N, a "standard" that is not yet standardized.

If you really want speed, run an ethernet cable to the router. Blows wireless into the weeds.

I would get a Gigabiat router, and wait until N is nailed down. No company can guarantee an update to the N standard because they do not yet know what that means. If you must do it, get the card and router, and all future cards for all future PC's, from the same series and the came company.

If you go with the USB stick, get a USB extension cable. Allows a much greater variety of placement locations, allowing for a quite possibly dramatic difference in reception consistency and speed.

Hi Nelson,

What is a USB extension cable? Is that separate connection? Any links or preferences in USB sticks?

[jagabo]

What is a USB extension cable?

A USB cable with a male connector at one end, a female connector at the other.
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F3U134-10-Extension-Cable-10-Feet/dp/B00001ZWXA

[edDV]

Jagabo, thanks for the reply. I currently have 3 computers hooked up (2 laptops and 1 desktop- the one I am trying to get the wireless USB network adapter for)

I don't know the difference between the Netgear ones above so if folks can help with the variations and why the 54Mbps is more expensive than the 108Mbps, that would be great!

thanks

I doubt any of those computers currently support N so you need a new wireless adapter for each.

[jyeh74]

Jagabo, thanks for the reply. I currently have 3 computers hooked up (2 laptops and 1 desktop- the one I am trying to get the wireless USB network adapter for)

I don't know the difference between the Netgear ones above so if folks can help with the variations and why the 54Mbps is more expensive than the 108Mbps, that would be great!

thanks

I doubt any of those computers currently support N so you need a new wireless adapter for each.

Both laptops only have 802.11 b/g so do not think it will work with N router.

[jyeh74]

Hey guys ,thanks for the replies, this helps a lot.

So pardon the ignorance but suppose two scenarios
1) Person with high speed 50 mb/sec download speeds and 802.11G wireless adapters and G router. 2 laptops on network.
2) Person with high speed 50 mb/sec download speeds and 802.11N wireless adapters and N router. Also 2 laptops on network.


Both have identical download speeds. Person 2 has the N router. Does it mean he gets faster speeds than person 1 (who has same download speed)?

[jagabo]

You'd be lucky to get 20 Mb/s throughput with 802.11g. I don't have any personal experience with 802.11n but I've seen people report about 50 Mb/s throughput.

[Nelson37]

Whatever the main pipeline download speed is, you will get a higher percentage of that baseline with N router AND card than you will with G router AND card. G card makes N router irrelevant, both must match. Also note that most routers will default ALL connections to whatever the slowest reception standard is, meaning you got 2 N cards and one g card, all run at G speeds. This is not the case with ALL routers.

Speed will vary significantly with distance and number and thickness of walls in-between. The less metal, the better. Some types of stucco walls use a sort of fine chicken-wire backing which almost eliminates radio siganals.

Wired connection will dramatically beat either one. Especially with Gigabit router. This will be most obvious on the internal network, such as if you use one PC as a video server.

With N now ratified, a "draft N" equipment should be compatible with other "draft N" units. The word "draft" is important, as this was an existing semi-standard as opposed to whatever that particular company wanted it to be.
An "N" router or card may, or may not, be significantly different than a "Draft N" unit.

USB extension is cheap, around 10 bucks for a 15 foot cable. Does not function as an antenna, but gives placement options which can become very important. Higher is generally better.

I tend to prefer D-Link over Netgear, Linksys, Belkin, etc but it's pretty model-specific.

[jyeh74]

So assuming everything equal, does a G limit a service provider's speeds? I have seen comcast advertise from 6mb/sec to 12mb/sec to 25mb/sec to 50 mb/sec and was wondering generally, what does a G router limit you at? i.e. what speed will it NOT be able to accomodate?