Can I mix and match Wireless N 150 and 300?

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jahc

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#68282 18-Sep-2010 10:52

I want to replace my 801.11g network with n. Our laptops have n, and I just got this cheapie USB adapter for one of our desktops:
TP-Link Wireless N USB Adapter, Atheros, 2T2R, 2.4Ghz, 802.11n Draft 2.0, 802.11g/b

Also I was thinking of getting a second cheapie from dealextreme:
D-Link DWA-125 150Mbps WiFi Wireless 802.11n/b/g USB Adapter

Then I need to tie it all together and get some sort of N access point to connect to my adsl router.. there were a few TP link ones on pricespy for around $80 but I'm not sure which one to get. Any clues or advice? I'm not really a networking person.

richms

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#381590 18-Sep-2010 11:50

Yes, but the 150 ones lack multiple paths and multiple antennas which is most of what makes 802.11n rock compared to g, and while the 150meg one is using it, the channel is used, so if you are heavily using that one, you will see a greater slowdown of the network than if it was a 300 or 450 meg device.

roll on 4x4 devices so we get some sweet 600 meg goodness I say.

Richard rich.ms

raytaylor

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#382942 21-Sep-2010 23:22

4x4 means spectrum wastage to me.

You should be careful as some N devices are 2.4ghz, and some are 5.8.
2.4 devices will interact with other 2.4, but 2.4 will not work with 5.8ghz devices.

Ray Taylor

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richms

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#382945 21-Sep-2010 23:33

I thought that they were all the same channel width - 40MHz?

Doesnt really matter in anycase since most people only have one accesspoint in their house.

Richard rich.ms

raytaylor

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#383104 22-Sep-2010 11:53

There are 2 flavours of 802.11n
2.4ghz and 5.8ghz

Within those bands there are different modes
Streams
- Each stream is a different antenna and channel, or in some cases - polarity
- A channel can be 20 or 40 mhz. A 20mhz stream will go up to 150mbit, 40mhz goes 300mbit
- Streams can be bonded together so that you double the throughput or half the throughput but double the range. Eg. one stream at 50% signal may achieve 75mbits. Bond two seperate streams and your throughput doubles, even though your signal is still 50% - this is how they say they get extra range than 802.11g

Each mode or stream setup is interoperable with other N devices, so long as they run on the same band - 2.4 or 5.8ghz

Ray Taylor

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