Networking & wireless: Wifi N mixed mode results
Wifi N mixed mode results
by E Petey - 6/18/09 7:46 PMI have a variety of devices (HP MediaSmart TV, Xbox 360, PS3, wii... 2 dish satellite receivers) that are all connecting to my home network. I use some old linksys wifiG routers with dd-wrt as wireless bridges/switches (in addition to other hard wired devices)... but the core of my wireless network is a generic DSL modem with a WiFiG gateway/access point.
I am looking at getting a WiFiN router, but would like to hear from someone who has switched to N and what type of improvements they saw. Right now I can stream some HD content to certain parts of my house, but not to the furthest away rooms. If I switch to a WiFiN router but keep most of my WiFiG clients.... will I see a noticeable difference?
You'll see a difference . . .
by Coryphaeus - 6/19/09 3:37 AM In reply to: Wifi N mixed mode results by E Peteyonly if the devices are "N". If your devices are "G" then there will be no difference.
not exactly what I have heard
by E Petey - 6/20/09 11:09 AM In reply to: You'll see a difference . . . by CoryphaeusI was more wondering.... if my G network gets something like 10mb/s in remote locations, does adding N router make the remote devices come closer to 54mb/s?
I have heard from some that a N router does indeed help G devices come closer to their max speeds, but was looking for more input from others.
anyone???
Mixed results here.
by R. Proffitt
- 6/20/09 11:26 AM
In reply to: not exactly what I have heard by E Petey
The results are so mixed that I doubt we can count on improvement. In fact if we mix the N gear makers we still encounter issues from time to time.
Plus that usual issue is the internet access for most is still 10 or less mega bit so the speed step up will not pay off there.
Bob
thanks
by E Petey - 6/20/09 3:12 PM In reply to: Mixed results here. by R. Proffitt
thanks for the reply.
Public internet speed isn't what I care too much about. It really is more about within my network.... so streaming an HD video from a NAS server to my tv is really what I am interested in. I think I can borrow and N router from a friend and try it out.
all input and tips are appreciated 
.
For that.
by R. Proffitt - 6/20/09 3:17 PM
In reply to: thanks by E Petey
I found 802.11g more than capable. I wonder why you have an issue there.
Tversity, PS3, old 802.11g here.
that works for closer range
by E Petey - 6/20/09 3:30 PM In reply to: For that. by R. Proffitt
Going through one wall, and about 20 feet, this works for me too.
What doesn't work is the room that is like 60-75 feet away and separated by 4-5 walls.
For that, if I had to
by R. Proffitt - 6/20/09 3:37 PM
In reply to: that works for closer range by E Petey
I would dedicate my wifi to that. That is, WPA with only the sole device. Keep the moochers off. 802.11n is the same frequency and tech so I would not take bets it would fix it.
Bob
try...
by philbernie - 6/22/09 8:39 AM In reply to: that works for closer range by E PeteyI would try it and see if it works. Add a high-gain antenna. Move the devices around the rooms to get the best reception. Or if you have a long enough wire extension on the antenna, place it outside the window, so that it has a direct sight to the router (or at least where the signal do not have to go through 5 walls). Just thinking!
relocate router
by philbernie - 6/22/09 8:41 AM In reply to: that works for closer range by E PeteyHow about placing the wireless router somewhere in the middle of the house.
my results with n
by E Petey - 6/23/09 8:43 AM In reply to: relocate router by philbernieSo I am borrowing a friend's d-link 655 router, and disabling my dsl modem's wireless features (as well as dhcp, etc). I have placed the modem in the exact same place within the house, and did not use any extra antennas or go out of my way to make it special.
I can tell a very big difference on remote locations. As stated, previously I could stream HD videos to a ps3 around 20 ft and one wall away on my old WiFiG network. Going to an upstairs bedroom my Xbox360 and HP MediaSmart TV had problems playing HD, and sometimes even had problems with SD videos.
With the new router (set to G+N mode) I could stream a 1080HD video with 5.1 audio to the MediaSmart TV. Before I was pretty much full of stutter and waiting, now this video played smoothly for a good 15-20 minutes (I quit watching it after that).
Bottom line in my test - adding a WiFi N router can really help bandwidth within the house. Most people just care about internet bandwidth, and this experiment really does not help them in that situation. However, if you do have a lot of local trafic in your WiFi G network - adding a WiFi N router can make a real difference.
My guess is that with a WiFi G router, saying the connection is something like ~48Mbs your real true connection is more like half or a third of that. However, with WiFiN on the router end your speed comes much close to the reported connection speed. This could be due to MIMO, the extra antenna on N, or whatever. It doesn't matter to me, it just works better.
wifi-n
by philbernie - 6/23/09 10:46 AM In reply to: my results with n by E PeteyI think you did well. Also check to see on the utility page for the dlink 655. There is probably a provision for "extended range mode" under the Wireless page. That might help too.
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