Wireless Networking 802.11b / SuperG

[GSmonkey]

Quick question for the experts.

I've got a wireless router set up at home. It is a SuperG 108Mbps job, but is also backwards compatible to 11g/b.

Now I've just bought a cheap laptop for wireless surfing (currently only have the desktop connected wirelessly). Now I don't want to spend a great deal on a PCMCIA card for the laptop, so was considering a cheap 11b one.

My concern is that if I use an 11b card it will drag the rest of the network down to 11b - thus wasting the investment into superG for the rest of the network. Is this true? Or will all devices just communicate at their fastest rate to the router??

 

[AdamZ]

The 11b device will communicate at the lower rate, 11g devices will communicate at a max of 54 and any superG devices will commincate at their rate.

Be aware that some of the superG WLANs take the entire bandwidth meaning that there will be contention with other devices, DECT phones etc, The brokerage that will take place will mean that the effective rate may be less than can be achieved with normal 54mbs 11g. Also some devices may not work at all...

Also remember that the 108 is only the max rate and the effective rate may be far, far lower

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

I'm using an 11g router and an old 11b pcmcia card in an old laptop for exactly what you're doing.

Use it as a radio , surfing and music streaming with iTunes from the main PC - all into the hifi - use a Belkin Tunecast or similar plugged into earphone socket

Get BBC radio just like in UK - but later.

 

[GSmonkey]

Cheers for the advice guys. Managed to blag a SuperG PCMCIA card off Ebay for £10.50......not worth going for the cheaper kind at that price