Wireless N and Router questions?

[paul1980]

Hi Guys,

I have recently bought a Synology DS209 NAS drive and I am using it to share all my videos between my devices.

I currently have a Thomson TG585v7 ADSL router (I am in Cyprus and to cut a long story short the ADSL is a pain and requires the issued router connected) recieving my ADSL connection.
I then have a Netgear DG834GT connected to Ethernet port 1 of the Thomson and the following devices connected to the netgear:

Laptop Wirelessly
NAS Cabled
PS3 Cabled
Siemens S685IP Voip Phone Cabled

Now I am looking to replace the Netgear router with a new router that will provide the following:

Gigabit Ethernet Ports
Wireless N (For laptop)

Am I right in thinking that I do not necessarily need an ADSL router as my Thomson router is providing the modem function? If so I am looking at the following options:

D-Link DIR-655
or
Asus RT-N16

If I buy a NON dual band wireless N router, when I connect to the router with my laptop using wireless N, what will happen when I try and connect with my Wireless G mobile phone or Amazon Kindle? Will they connect and what effect will it have on my laptop wireless N connection!

Many thanks in advance for any comments/advice

Paul

 

[sja360]

a wireless N dual band or non-dual band will allow a wireless A/B/G/N a device to connect to it.
I have heard that if you have wireless G devices it can affect wireless N speed, however im unsure whether this is for non-dual band routers or under what conditions this happens.

EDIT: i think if i chose between the two wireless routers you've mentioned, i'd go for the d-link.

 

[vsmora]

...Am I right in thinking that I do not necessarily need an ADSL router as my Thomson router is providing the modem function?

Correct. Either get a Gb switch and separate N WAP, or a "cable router" like you've listed.

...If I buy a NON dual band wireless N router, when I connect to the router with my laptop using wireless N, what will happen when I try and connect with my Wireless G mobile phone or Amazon Kindle? Will they connect and what effect will it have on my laptop wireless N connection!

They will connect but expect ALL wifi devices to then operate at 1/2 to 1/3 of their equivalent single-standard-only speed. Keep in mind if looking at dual-band that the laptop needs a dual-band adaptor too, otherwise you'll still only be using one band and the 5GHz will be ignored.

Also in case you weren't aware, the headline 300Mb speed needs 40MHz channels which won't enable if you are using crowded 2.4GHz and have pretty much any wifi neighbours. Using standard 20MHz channels (130Mb) your real-world throughput won't be able to max a standard wired 100Mb port. Just be aware in case you were expecting a massive boost by upgrading to GbE.

 

[vsmora]

a wireless N dual band or non-dual band will allow a wireless A/B/G/N a device to connect to it...QUOTE]

A non-dual band router will not allow an "A" device to connect (there are no N-capable 5GHz-only routers); router must be dual-band to support "A" or 5GHz "N".

...I have heard that if you have wireless G devices it can affect wireless N speed, however im unsure whether this is for non-dual band routers or under what conditions this happens...

The only situation where adding G devices to an N setup won't reduce bandwidth is when all other devices are solely using 5GHz.

 

[paul1980]

EDIT: i think if i chose between the two wireless routers you've mentioned, i'd go for the d-link.

Cheers I will be looking to update either to the modified firmware

Correct. Either get a Gb switch and separate N WAP, or a "cable router" like you've listed.

They will connect but expect ALL wifi devices to then operate at 1/2 to 1/3 of their equivalent single-standard-only speed. Keep in mind if looking at dual-band that the laptop needs a dual-band adaptor too, otherwise you'll still only be using one band and the 5GHz will be ignored.

Also in case you weren't aware, the headline 300Mb speed needs 40MHz channels which won't enable if you are using crowded 2.4GHz and have pretty much any wifi neighbours. Using standard 20MHz channels (130Mb) your real-world throughput won't be able to max a standard wired 100Mb port. Just be aware in case you were expecting a massive boost by upgrading to GbE.

I take it I will only see a degredation in speed at the instance that the wireless G device connects. i.e when it disconnects will I go back to N speeds.

I think my laptop has a dual band adapter, it certainly allows me to set b, g or n in the options anyhow.

Cheers

 

[vsmora]

Yes it is only slower while the G device is associated. See smallnetbuilder for a review of the Dlink that tests mixed-mode performance.

If your adaptor only lists BGN then it is not dual-band. "A" uses 5GHz band. "B" and "G" use 2.4GHz. Confusingly "N" can use 2.4, 5 or both. If a router/card states N but doesn't state 5GHz or dual-band then it is a cert to only support 2.4GHz. Even more confusingly, some routers which are labelled dual-band can't support simultaneous N on both bands (e.g. Netgear WNR3300) or are only switchable between one or the other band (e.g. Linksys WRT320N).

 

[paul1980]

Yes it is only slower while the G device is associated.

If your adaptor only lists BGN then it is not dual-band. "A" uses 5GHz band. "B" and "G" use 2.4GHz. Confusingly "N" can use 2.4, 5 or both. If a router/card states N but doesn't state 5GHz or dual-band then it is a cert to only support 2.4GHz. Even more confusingly, some routers which are labelled dual-band can't support simultaneous N on both bands (e.g. WNR3300) or are only switchable between one or the other band (e.g. early Apple Time Capsule).

Thats great cheers. I have the Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN. It seems to have a,b &g and also an "n" mode.

What router would you reccommend?

 

[vsmora]

Draytek are excellent but not dual-band and I guess you won't be using any of the solid routing features. Otherwise I generally favour Netgear WNDR3700 or Linksys WRT610N (+DDWRT if you wish). I have heard that the Asus is basically the same HW as the Netgear but slightly better spec. I'd check the reviews on SNB for yourself though.