sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Computers & Programming Computers, Software, Accessories Will 802.11b messup an 802.11g network?

Hi.

Does anyone how the effects of a 802.11b device running on an 802.11g network?

Also, how it would effect a MIMO type of wireless situation.

I am setting up a house which has 802.11g access points and an 1 MIMO router.

I remember hearing something that if you eliminate the need to have the routers support 802.11b, then all the devices can run as a much faster speed.

I also remember hearing that an 802.11b connection will effect ALL devices on the network because its being present will have a negative effect on the network.

Can anyone let me know if that is true or exactly how this works?

The reason I ask is because now they are looking into an universal remote which actually has wifi but its on the 802.11b standard and I need to know if this might be something to avoid?

Thanks for your help.

I'm no expert but I don't think having "B" equipment on a network with "G" equipment will cause any problems.

As far as I know the only difference in the two is that "B" has a maximum capability of 11 Mbps and "G" has a max of 54 Mbps.

I don't know how it would affect MIMO because I've never worked with any of that stuff.
All I know about MIMO is that it's supposed to be wireless at 100 Mbps and it requires multiple AP's. I've seen it referred to as 802.11N before so it may allow "B" & "G" equipment integration.

Some wireless boxes are capable of running both 802.11b and 802.11g at the same time. However if you set the box to run just 802.11g, it will run faster. Having separate boxes running different wireless protocols does not slow the network as a whole.

Well not really. MIMO was termed for multi-in multi-out. Essentially claiming it was a better AP for multiple simultaneous connections.

Yes there are many AP's that will throttle down to the lowest common denominator in order to increase performance. I suggest you disable the "b" band, or as suggested add a separate AP for the particular band needed, as opposed to running both on the same router.

Hi.

Are you saying that the "b" band will only effect the particular access point it happens to connect to? This would only be for the duration of the connection because that access point would be trying to lower the speed to the lowest common denominator factor in accommodating the slower speed for the "B-band" device?(while other access points would still be a the G-band speed)

If I gave the "b-band device" a separate dedicated access point, then the other wireless devices would not be effected?


In other words, the presents of the "b-band" does not effect the entire house wireless network(like certain microwaves) but rather just the 1 access point which it happens to connect to?

That is what I am gathering from your replay, please let me know if I understand it correctly.

I know on my MIMO router, it gave me options to completely disable the B band in order to increase speeds. However, I was not sure if a "802.11b device in the house(but not connected to the MIMO router), would still effect the performance like the mere presents of a 2.4GHZ wireless phone would.

Please let me know

Thanks for your help.

There is a very good article on MIMO in Wikipedia. Basically, 802.11n = MIMO although MIMO does not necessarily = 802.11n. The 802.11n standard is a draft standard at this time but is scheduled to be finalized sometime next year.

MIMO means multiple input multiple output. It uses multiple antennae per access point. You might think of it as analogous to a dual processor.

You said the "presents" of a 2.4GHz wireless phone would "effect" the performance of your network. I am not quite sure why that would be the case unless they are using the same radio frequency. In that case try using a different frequency (channel) for one or the other.

The 2.4 GHz spectrum is over-crowded with so many "wireless" devices, it's not funny. My boss used to have a 2.4 GHz phone, a 2.4 GHz wireless TV transmitter (cable box in living room, TV in bedroom, Remote control signal is relayed between them) and 802.11b. Any time he was on a phone call, and the automatic frequency hopping of the phone collided, with the TV, one or the other would crap out. Sometimes, if he was watching TV, and he started a file transfer, the TV would get all fuzzy.

The WiFi is easily enough selectable for a particular channel. But the TV transmitter hides the channel from the user entirely. The phone, keeps hopping around anyway, so there's no option to select a channel.

Eventually, he pulled a coax to the bedroom, got a new cable box, and reverted to 900 MHz phone technology. He later tried a 5.8 GHz phone, but it had the same problem. But WiFi will always stay.

Thats correct rob. We were contracted a few years ago to install wireless pops for an isp. These all operated on the 2.4 range and every now and then some sites were intolerable, to the point they hired out a company with a spectrum analyzer to determine what kept knocking down the link. Anyway its pretty unbelievable how much crap is in the airwaves and essentially nothing you can do about it. Assuming it is legal.

The reason your 5.8 did not work is due to the fact the most of the handset still xmit on 2.4, its only the base thats operating at 5.8. Thats why im down with the newer "true" 1.9 or Dect.

If wireless networks are a must, i would seriously set my clients up on the A band which runs at 5.0 and has very little competition at this point. Problem is that most laptops are rarely enabled with this adapter. i specifically ordered mine with it. Hardly use it though.

Is sounds like this can get pretty complicated pretty fast.

I know that 2.4 ghz phone and microwaves can message up your entire wireless network when in use.

I guess to simplify my question:

1. Is 802.11b a global problem like 2.4 ghz phone/microwaves.(Basically in the form of interference.)

or

2. local access point problem, meaning the 1 access point to slow down to accommodate it.( basically in the form of accommodation the need for a slower speed)


For example, lets say you have the 802.11b device its own dedicated access point right next to the regular access point.

Would your network have any performance issues( even with a MIMO router which you disabled the 802.11b?

Thanks

Youre making this way more complicated than what it is, no thanks to us.

Look, its trial an error, sad to say but thats all you can do really, setup what you need, check out the performance, let your clients use it for awhile and have them report back.

Preferably, I dont like to place APs right next to each other, but if that all you can do than do it and see how it goes.

Every environment performs differently with like setups due to unforeseen factors.