Dual band router?

[pzkpfw]

Telecom ugraded our local lines to ADSL2+ a year or so ago, but my old wireless modem router thing only does ADSL, so I'd like to upgrade.

I'd also like to go N on the WiFi - but, I've been told that if any device on the network is G, then they'll all go G unless I use a dual band router.

We don't use our Wii much any more, but the PS3 gets used, and a quick google tells me it doesn't do N.

(Other devices used by residents of the house include PSP 2000 and 3000, an IPod Touch, and a couple of old PC's with PCI WiFi adaptors that don't do N).

So... I figure I need to replace my current device with something like this: http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/networking/netgear/n600-wireless-dual-band-gigabit-adsl2-modem-router-sku-23628/

Sound about right?

(
A few devices without WiFi connect to the LAN through one of these: http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/product/XH1426/netgear-universal-range-extender

Should I expect it to connect to the new router with N by default?
)

Thanks,

[iYRe]

I use one of these at home:
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=MODTPL8950&name=TP-Link-TD-W8950ND-150M-Wireless-Lite-N-ADSL2+-Mod

The think about wireless N, is that it is only really any good if you have a wireless N device.. that is, a wireless N capable card in your PC or laptop. I've not yet come across a laptop with a built in N capable adapter (they're probably out there, but I've not seen one..)

I've also got a Dlink and a dynalink modem, but the TPLINK was cheaper and works better..

(ps, you pay ALOT more from the likes of JB and DickSmiths than you do from places like PBTECH)

[SMOKEU]

This one here looks awesome http://www.overclockers.com/d-link-xtreme-n-dgl-4500-gaming-router

[avgas]

The think about wireless N, is that it is only really any good if you have a wireless N device.. that is, a wireless N capable card in your PC or laptop. I've not yet come across a laptop with a built in N capable adapter (they're probably out there, but I've not seen one..
Every single laptop I have bought since 2010 has had it built in. Likewise every dongle over $20 has it built in. Even my 2 year old Galaxy S has it built in.
What planet are your from?

[pzkpfw]

The think about wireless N, is that it is only really any good if you have a wireless N device.. that is, a wireless N capable card in your PC or laptop. I've not yet come across a laptop with a built in N capable adapter (they're probably out there, but I've not seen one..)

Yep. I've listed things that don't have N, but I do have some things that have got N - thus the desire to use it.


My main question is all about the use of mixed G and N devices on my LAN, and confirming if I need a dual band router (and if that really is the solution).


(I see PBTech has the same model of router as I was looking at, much cheaper. Need to go check the Wellington PBTech...)

[avgas]

Yep. I've listed things that don't have N, but I do have some things that have got N - thus the desire to use it.


My main question is all about the use of mixed G and N devices on my LAN, and confirming if I need a dual band router (and if that really is the solution).


(I see PBTech has the same model of router as I was looking at, much cheaper. Need to go check the Wellington PBTech...)
I am yet to see a device with 802.11N compliance not have 802.11G compliance also. Routers included.
The 'dual band' thing is for 2.4GHz and 5Ghz........ handy if you have more than 12 devices (cordless phones etc) that are already on the 2.4Ghz band. Nothing to do with 802.11b or 802.11g or 802.11n apart from you will have to have dual band enabled on your remote devices.

[Usarka]

So... I figure I need to replace my current device with something like this: http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/networking/netgear/n600-wireless-dual-band-gigabit-adsl2-modem-router-sku-23628/


I've got one of these, not sure if it meets your requirements or not, but it works well for me. Not cheap. But I like the gigabit LAN ports and the wireless on/off button that means I can surf on the desktop and still easily turn the wireless off.

[NinjaNanna]

N is really only applicable if you are connecting your local devices together for file sharing or other high bandwidth applications.

If the devices only connect to get internet access then the 5-20mb/s adsl+2 connection is going to become a bottle neck long before the 54mb/s wifi limitation.

[Zapf]

N is really only applicable if you are connecting your local devices together for file sharing or other high bandwidth applications.

If the devices only connect to get internet access then the 5-20mb/s adsl+2 connection is going to become a bottle neck long before the 54mb/s wifi limitation.

+1

20Mbps is 2.5Mb/s or 5Mbps is 625kb/s. It is rare for most DSL lines to be able to sustain 20Mbps.... so will you really notice any difference or befit from it I wonder.


also!

That http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/networking/netgear/n600-wireless-dual-band-gigabit-adsl2-modem-router-sku-23628/ Dual Band 2.4GHz & 5.0GHz it is rare that anyone really needs both 2.4 & 5

[pzkpfw]

Thanks everyone.

In the end I just went and got this: http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/product/XH8492/netgear-n300-wireless-modem-router

It was on sale, so what the heck...

Will set it up on the weekend and see how it goes.

[Scuba_Steve]

Yep. I've listed things that don't have N, but I do have some things that have got N - thus the desire to use it.

My main question is all about the use of mixed G and N devices on my LAN, and confirming if I need a dual band router (and if that really is the solution).


if your wanting to maximize speed, you'll want dual-band.
Obviously if your transferring between N & G your gonna be stuck at G speed regardless (54), but without a dual-band N gets capped out at 150 whereas on it's own it can reach the full 300 (both theoretical, actual speed may vary).

[Scuba_Steve]

Thanks everyone.

In the end I just went and got this: http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/product/XH8492/netgear-n300-wireless-modem-router

It was on sale, so what the heck...

Will set it up on the weekend and see how it goes.

But I just see your've gone with the single band, that means if your gonna run both standards through the same device N's gonna be restricted to 150 & on the 2.4Ghz band

Another option (the 1 I used to use, back before these duals were around) is to set that new router up in 5.2Ghz N only, & on your old wireless router disable the ADSL & just use it as a 2.4Ghz G wireless router :msn-wink:

[avgas]

20Mbps is 2.5Mb/s
The old man in me wan't to slap your hands with a wodern ruler.
http://www.musofyr.com/ImmacMisconcep/IMMedia/TheRuler.jpg
its Mb/s and MB/s
as in Megabits and MegaBytes

Rant over.

I am still trying to convince work I need a WiMax base station here..........

[paturoa]

Dual band routers come in two kinds. Those that can do both schemes, but only one at a time. The others do both concurrently but are more expensive.

The problem with the former type is that if you have any older laptops or cards the whole lot runs on the slower G scheme.

[steve_t]

Dual band routers come in two kinds. Those that can do both schemes, but only one at a time. The others do both concurrently but are more expensive.

The problem with the former type is that if you have any older laptops or cards the whole lot runs on the slower G scheme.

Yep. The ones that can do both concurrently are often labelled Dual Radio

[p.dath]

If you have an 802.11n router overting in the 2.4Gz band, and an 802.11g device, it will not force force everything down to operating on the 802.11g standard.

HOWEVER, using 802.11n channel bonding in the 2.4Ghz spectrum is almost pointless. To do channel bonding effecively you need three channels that are not used. The 2.4Ghz band only has three non-ovelapping channels, so the chance of getting all three of them being free is almost zero.

So the use of 802.11n in the 2.4Ghz spectrum for performance is not worhwhile. However "good" 802.11n devices also have MIMO, which improves your reception coverage - aka a bigger converage footprint.


802.11n in 2.4Ghz spectrum is mostly only used for domestic installations where performance isn't very important. Commercial instalations nearly always use the 5Ghz spectrum instead.

[Usarka]

Commercial instalations nearly always use the 5Ghz spectrum instead.

Rally? How do these businesses service devices that don't operate on 5Ghz like iPhone 3Gs and older laptops?

[gonzo_akl]

Rally? How do these businesses service devices that don't operate on 5Ghz like iPhone 3Gs and older laptops?

Typical business intallations will use APs with dual radios, 1 is used to cover 2.4GHz and the other the 5Ghz band. All devices capable to communicating at 5GHz use it and aren't slowed down by the legacy devices.

[p.dath]

Rally? How do these businesses service devices that don't operate on 5Ghz like iPhone 3Gs and older laptops?

You only use dual radio APs. However the use of 802.11n in the 2.4Ghz spectrum is not used for performance. If you want speed you do it in the 5Ghz spectrum.