Any WiFi Geeks out there?

[TomW]

I have a question that I can't seem to find the answer to... so here goes IAP!

I have a wireless G network, and get sporadic reception in parts of the house. All of the advertising for wireless n and g routers claim much better power/coverage, etc, and are backward compatible with wireless b devices.

So, here is the question... Does the increased power/reception apply to the wireless b devices? Can I improve by upgrading to n without changing all the client devices??

Thanks in advance.
Tom

 

[PenMan1]

With most all wifi, the system can be set to be backwards compatible. All you have to do (in setup, and most come with this as default) is make sure that you set the router or AP to "mixed" to allow G, N and B devices.

Then as your old devices crap out, you can upgrade later to the faster standards.

 

[turner.curtis]

You can move to a G or N router with no connectivity issues with your older B clients. They should still connect fine, although do not expect that swapping out the wireless router to be your be all end all solution to bad signal in areas. It may be better but if you are spanning multiple floors and shooting through walls a repeater just inside the good signal area close to where you loose signal to boost it in that area to allow better penetration of the signal is an option. If you do buy a new router I would suggest that you go with N that way you are not upgrading it in a year or two to N or ZXM or what ever protocol is next...

 

[PenMan1]

You will definitely get better coverage by moving to G or N standards. You may not notice much speed difference while still using the old B adapters. BUT the added, stronger signal may give you a good bit of perceived speed because of the stronger signal.

 

[jd99]

I work in networking so I guess I'm a geek , I would get rid of the B stuff (it's end of life), and upgrade to at least G, but if it were me I would go to N.

N is going to give you a longer range and higher speed, G is max at 56, N will give you 300, and some routers have dual band N for 600. But remember both the access point (wifi router) and adapter on your pc have to be N, to get the speed, and some routers only work at the higher speeds if both are the same brand. e.g. netgear router and netgear PC adapter. also to get the max the router might have to be set for N only, usally a mixed setting (B-G-N) only will be a lower speed, and the security is less.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to ask if you have more questions.
Danny

 

[glycerine]

What type of wireless router do you have? You may want to look into a stronger antenna first.

 

[PenMan1]

At places like TigerDirect.com, the day after Christmas, you can usually buy a linksysbycisco wireless G router for about $20 and G adapters for about $15.

If you want to get faster and better coverage REAL CHEAP, you can buy this router and put the G adapter on the machine farthest from the router. This will greatly enhance your speed and coverage for $35.

If you don't mind spending $150. N router and at least 1 N adapter is the way to go.

 

[TomW]

Wow... lots of help in a hurry!

I went and looked and it is in fact a linksys WRT54G... yes, G... I'll edit the original post.

Ideas?

Tom

 

[alphageek]

Wow... lots of help in a hurry!

I went and looked and it is in fact a linksys WRT54G... yes, G... I'll edit the original post.

Ideas?

Tom

You already have one of the better routers out there...

There is 2 options/recommendations.

#1 Try changing the channel in your settings on the router. Some channels may have more interference than others. This is a simple/free option.

#2 there is high gain antennas available for that router. You can just replace the antennas and get some more range out of the router...

 

[RichW]

WRT54G

I just upgraded my WRT54G to the latest Linksys N version. Huge difference. Also the 54G has known problems associated with power flickers. It will often reset to factory defaults (including no security) during an intermittent power outage or brown-out.

If you are not experiencing those problems and not ready to spring for a new router, try the expended range dual antennas (available at most computer stores or on Amazon). They will at least double your effective range. I used that set-up for several years and had a good signal from my basement to my third floor and and outdoors all the way to my gazebo at the back of the property (about 200 yards).

 

[AKBeaver]

DD-WRT

I just upgraded my WRT54G to the latest Linksys N version. Huge difference. Also the 54G has known problems associated with power flickers. It will often reset to factory defaults (including no security) during an intermittent power outage or brown-out.

If you are not experiencing those problems and not ready to spring for a new router, try the expended range dual antennas (available at most computer stores or on Amazon). They will at least double your effective range. I used that set-up for several years and had a good signal from my basement to my third floor and and outdoors all the way to my gazebo at the back of the property (about 200 yards).

Don't toss the WRT54G. Go to DD-WRT to get third party firmware upgrades. You can change it to a repeater or wireless Bridge as well as change the radio power levels. I have my old one setup as a bridge in my entertainment center, giving hardwired connections to gaming consoles, Sat Receiver and Blueray player giving them all wireless access to the internet. You will have to read up on instructions and what to do if the load fails, but it is well worth it.

 

[glycerine]

I just upgraded my WRT54G to the latest Linksys N version. Huge difference. Also the 54G has known problems associated with power flickers. It will often reset to factory defaults (including no security) during an intermittent power outage or brown-out.

If you are not experiencing those problems and not ready to spring for a new router, try the expended range dual antennas (available at most computer stores or on Amazon). They will at least double your effective range. I used that set-up for several years and had a good signal from my basement to my third floor and and outdoors all the way to my gazebo at the back of the property (about 200 yards).

Don't toss the WRT54G. Go to DD-WRT to get third party firmware upgrades. You can change it to a repeater or wireless Bridge as well as change the radio power levels. I have my old one setup as a bridge in my entertainment center, giving hardwired connections to gaming consoles, Sat Receiver and Blueray player giving them all wireless access to the internet. You will have to read up on instructions and what to do if the load fails, but it is well worth it.

+1 on that. Fun to at least play around with and it sounds like you could probably use a repeater anyway.