802.11g vs. 802.11b

[westy]

I've decided to go wireless with my network at home (basically just sharing a 2000 kbit cable connection).


I am wondeing if it's worth my while spending the extra $$ and going with the 802.11g instead of the "b", and why.

Any comments on Linksys models WRT54G and BEFQ11S4 would be helpful !

Thanks !

[qball15j]

802.11G is faster then 802.11B. If I had to re-design my wireless network I would switch over to G. You’ll get about the same distance but G makes up for the slower speeds where B would normally start to drop off.

[westy]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by dropping off ?

[qball15j]

Originally posted by westy
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by dropping off ?
Speed wise

[westy]

Do you mean if the range is getting negotiable and the signal is getting weak the g would do a better job than the b, or do you mean the g will hold a lower transfer rate better than the b ?

[Addict]

Courtesy of Linksys. - http://www.linksys.com/edu/wirelessstandards.asp
WiFi G is the best route to go since its compatible with WiFi B. The WiFi B equipment is a little cheaper though.

http://www.linksys.com/edu/images/wireless_comparison.jpg

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by westy
Do you mean if the range is getting negotiable and the signal is getting weak the g would do a better job than the b,

Yes that's been my experience. On paper, both of their throughputs are not the bottleneck for broadband. B is up to 11 megs, G is up to 54megs, with the average broadband being 1.5 megs, OK, some lucky users at 3, maybe 6...a rare very few OOL users at near 10...even B isn't the bottleneck on paper.

In real life, throughput of wireless is about 1/2 of rated...so even then, not a bottleneck.

But...when you're at the limits of your range...I've found that G can hold the connection at a more usable speed than B. They both technically have the same range, but in real life...I've found G does better when you're pushing that range.

[westy]

I'll be running around 70-75 feet from my "cave" in the basement to my wife's computer up in our family room. I plan on using the exisitng CAT5 cable to hard wire into the router for my computer (since that's where the cable modem is) and thought I would get a wireless USB adapter for her comuter. There's only one door between the two. It's pretty much a straight shot up the stairs 'cept for the door.

What does 2000 kbit convert to in mb ? I'm kind of lost on the "bit" conversion... Would 11 Mbps equal 11,000 mbits ?



Thanks guys !

[Mytflyguy]

YOSC is right ... If you are only using it for Int4ernet sharing then the b should work fine .... of course the g would be much better for file swapping and the such ...




2000 kbits = 2 mbits ( not mBytes big difference ) for all intents and purposes


technically though 1024 kb = 1mb = 128 kBytes

[JackMDS]

802.11b vs. 802.11g.

The following refers too Entry Level Systems that are usually equipped with < 50mW radios, come with 2dbi antennae, and cost bellow $100.

For Internet surfing it does mot matter since in most cases Internet broadband connection is slower than 802.11b.

For traffic across Internal LAN, 802.11g is significantly faster.

As a frame of reference. The transfer "Speed" of a Good Windows based 100Mb/sec. Network is 70 to 80Mb/sec.

These are the most common used Wireless standard and their official rating.

802.11b = 11Mb/sec. Network "Speed" (Carrier 2.4GHz) Real yield 4-6 Mb/sec.
802.11g = 54Mb/sec. Network "Speed" (Carrier 2.4GHz) Real yield 18-22Mb/sec.

Wireless Ethernet needs additional protocol over head for the transfer, it is not as stable as Wired so it needs extra processing procedures. As a result the actual "Speed" is respectively lower then Wired Network.

***Does 802.11g provides more Distance than 802.11b?***

The answer is Yes and No.

Since the Carrier frequency and the Power Output of 802.11b and 802.11g hardware are similar, the general distance that they cover is similar.

That means that if you have an envioroment that "Kills" the signal it will "Kill" them both.

However if you have a weak unusable 801.11b signal at 50’ (just a numerical example) 802.11g might provide a working signal at the same distance since it provides more bandwidth.

Log the following page. The differences between the first set of graphs to the second represent the performance differences between 802.11b to 802.11g

Link to: 802.11a/b/g SOHO Routers & Access Points: Performance. (http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/reviews/CD/article.php/1585191)

Notice how the D-Link and Netgear Super G stick out above the Crowd.

:) :) :) At the moment the best performance for the price is: D-Link Extreme G Bundle Kit ($89 after rebate). (http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10344769&loc=101&sp=1) :) :) :)

***On Distance in general.***

2.4Ghz. is the microwave band; the Wireless signal looses energy on Water molecules. It is susceptible to 2.4GHz noise, and there is a lot of it around (Microwaves, Cordless Phones, etc.)

As a Result.

Indoor, No obstructions (no walls, or Baroque type furniture), it will go up to 100' -120'

Once walls get in to the equation it is a fast decline.

One or two "flimsy" (i.e. not concrete full of metal) walls will yield 40-70'.

Three walls or more? You never know until you try.

If you are almost there, a good external Antenna can save you.

Outdoor with Entry Level Equipment as is out of the box. You can get above 100'

With Direct line of sight using High towers and very good directional Antennae it can work for few miles.

.