Ok, I’ve got a question for you network gurus. I’ve currently got a several devices using a wireless network, and everything is wireless G. In some areas signal strength is pretty bad however. I know upgrading to a wireless N router would be backwards compatible with the wireless G devices, but would I get the better signal strength I’m looking for that way, or would I need to update the other devices to wireless N to actually get better signal strength?
Upgrading any of the devices (including the router) won’t increase your range. The N router will provide higher maximum throughput to other N adapters but only at very close ranges. At lower signal strength (i.e. further away) the N adapters will connect approximately as slowly as the G adapters. But the range won’t change meaningfully.
Why do you think that?
According to an uncited Wikipedia entry, 802.11n could nearly double 802.11g’s indoor range. This forum thread talks about a few more details. Having MIMO (multiple antennas) on both sides helps further.
Also, if you run your n router in the 5Ghz range instead of 2.4, you might get a lot less interference (which can feel like greater range in that your signal isn’t drowned out by other neighboring hotspots).
I can offer some real word experience with this punching from one end of single level house to another approx 70 feet through walls etc. .
With all G devices going from Wireless Router G (Linksys 54G) to Wireless Router MIMO G (Linksys SRX-400) gave better coverage, and going from Wireless Router MIMO G to Wireless Router N (Linksys N)was better still. The higher quality, more stable connections with N generally means fewer dropouts and better throughout. The speed is of course limited to Wireless G specs by the receiving G devices but that is plenty fast for most uses.
So yes, wireless G connections will be better overall with a wireless N router.
Thanks, all.
So which would help more, upgrading to a wireless N router or keeping the current router and getting a wireless repeater?
I’m thinking going with a wireless N repeater would probably give the best coverage.