On 9 Mar 2007 at 0:13, Michael A. Wosnick wrote:

> So my questions are: is there inherently any difference in signal strength
> or range if using a newer 801.11g router instead of the current 802.11b? I
> think both protocols operate on the same frequency do they not? Is it a
> question instead of the antenna strength? If so, are there substantial
> differences in the "power" of one brand over another, or do I need to look
> carefully at specs? What would be considered to be a good strength vs. an
> average strength if I was able to discriminate? 

  802.11b and 802.11g both operate in the same band, where FCC rules limit 
the maximum broadcast power.  802.11g includes some higher speed 
capabilities for short-range clear connections, but at greater distances it 
falls back to the same speeds as 802.11b.
  There are, however, two things you can try which may help, and can be done 
with b or g:

1.  It's not that they work at the same frequency, but on the same set of 
channels (11 of them in North America).  You probably never set the channel 
but just left it at the default setting, right?  Well, your neighbors have 
probably done the same thing!  So you may get back to something like the old 
performance by changing the router to a non-default channel.  (You could 
download NetStumbler to your daughter's PC and run it to see what other 
wireless networks are in range, and what channels they're on.
  Note that for full-speed operation, both b and g will spread out to two 
additional channels on either side.  So if there are no other nearby 
networks, it's common to put them on channels 1, 6, and 11 to avoid 
interference that would limit speed.  You might not get that lucky, but if 
you find neighbors on channels 3 and 6, putting yours on 4 or 5 will not do 
as well as 11....

2.  Although the FCC limits the maximum power output, it doesn't require you 
to spread that uniformly in all directions.  Your SMC -- or your new router -
- may allow you to adjust the orientation of the antenna or replace it with 
one that is more "directional".  Effectively this lets you take power that 
would have gone into the floor or out toward the street and redirect it up 
to your daughter's place.

  It's *possible* that you might benefit from going to 802.11n/MIMO, but the 
standard isn't finalized yet, and it's unlikely that your Internet 
connection would allow you to do much with the additional speed.


> My second set of questions relate to the wireless adapter in her computer.
> If I went 802.11g for the router, I would replace her adapter as well to
> take advantage of the higher throughput. Is it important to get an adapter
> of the same brand as the router? I have never worried about that before, but
> maybe there is better compatibility if one sticks to the same product
> family? If not, how much better, if at all, are PC card-based adapters (with
> their own mini-antenna) vs. a USB adapter that plugs straight into a USB
> port. The latter is of course much simpler to use, but I wonder if I will be
> giving up signal strength again given the absence of any external antenna.
> Or again is this a matter of brand and specs rather than one of inherent
> design per se? What are some of the better USB adapters?

  The "Wi-Fi" logo is supposed to guarantee interoperability, so same brand 
shouldn't make much difference.  Your new 802.11g router should also work 
with the existing 802.11b adapter (at 802.11b speeds) UNLESS you configure 
it to only work with 802.11g clients.  (That latter setting lets it use 
higher speeds for control traffic which an 802.11b device won't be able to 
follow.  Manufacturers disagree about how much difference this really 
makes.)

  So far as I can see, many manufacturers use the same chipsets on their 
PCI, PCMCIA, and USB wireless adpaters.  PCI adapters are most likely to 
accept a replacement antenna (see above...), but I've actually gotten even 
better results with a USB adapter on the end of a USB extension cable so you 
can move it around and re-orient it without moving the whole machine.

  As to brands, I've always had good results with NetGear; D-Link and 
LinkSys are pretty comparable.  I've been unhappy with AirLink 101's 
quality, and I've heard negative reviews of Buffalo although I have a 
colleague who swears by them.  I've also had good results so far with 
Hawking, but their product line doesn't seem to be as fully populated as the 
others.  I haven't used SMC lately, but I do have a friend who likes their 
gear.  (I've been doing a lot of stuff professionally with Cisco and Aruba 
gear, but those would be overkill and really too expensive for home use.)

David Gillett


 
 

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