Wireless N backwards compatible with G?

[hyrum]

Just got talked into buying a Linksys WRT400N that is a dual band N router. Guy at the store said its backwards compatible and that my iPod and Android devices should still function fine but after reading a bit here am nervous it may not work.

 

[imagoon]

http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/WRT400N


# Model: WRT400N
# Standards: Draft 802.11n, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.3, 802.3u
# Ports: Power, Ethernet, Internet
# Buttons: Reset, Wi-Fi Protected Setup
# LEDs: Power, Internet, Wireless, Wi-Fi Protected Setup, Ethernet (1-4)
# Number of Antennas: 4 Total, 2 Internal Antennas per Each 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz Radio Band
# Modulations: 802.11b: CCK, QPSK, BPSK; 802.11g: OFDM; 802.11a: OFDM; Wireless-N: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM
# Streams:
Two Spatial Streams for Transmitting and Receiving in 2.4 GHz Radio Band
Two Spatial Streams for Transmitting and Receiving in 5 GHz Radio Band
# Receive Sensitivity:
2,4 GHz:
11Mbps: -88 dBm @ Typical
54Mbps: -72 dBm @ Typical
MCS15 (20MHz): -68 dBm @ Typical
MCS15 (40MHz): -65 dBm @ Typical

5 GHz:
54Mbps: -72 dBm @ Typical
MCS15 (20MHz): -68 dBm @ Typical
MCS15 (40MHz): -65 dBm @ Typical

# Antenna Gain in dBi:
2,4 GHz:
RIFA 1 <= 1.3 dBi (Typical)
RIFA 2 <= 3.5 dBi (Typical)
5GHZ:
RIFA 1 <= 3.85 dBi (Typical)
RIFA 2 <= 3.04 dBi (Typical)
# UPnP: Supported
# Security features: WEP, WPA, WPA2
# WEP Key Bits: Up to 128-Bit Encryption

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

You have to make sure to enable the G network. I'm not sure of the model but sometimes a router can't broadcast a G network and an N network so you might have to just have G network being broadcasted.

 

[spidey07]

802.11n is backward compatible with 802.11g. No ifs ands or buts.

 

[Lean L]

802.11n is backward compatible with 802.11g. No ifs ands or buts.

except in the case of a 5ghz network

 

[Emulex]

its backwards to 802.11a usually on 5ghz

 

[spidey07]

except in the case of a 5ghz network

802.11n is backwards compatible with 802.11a as well.

 

[kiki-rf]

you can use the antenna with high gain,or you can use the 2.4GHz/5.8GHz double frequency Directional WiFi antenna

 

[alkemyst]

Keep in mind that any 'g' devices will slow your 'n' network down.

I have a E4200 dual band/radio router. I set up my security cams and iDevices on 2.4GHz and my PC/Laptops on 5GHz.

 

[mammador]

Most n routers can be set to transmit b/g/n signals. Besides, any wifi node made post 2009 should be n compatible. this includes most common smartphones and tablets.

 

[JackMDS]

If you have (or plan on) Giga wired computers you should spend few $$ and get a Giga capable Dual WLAN Router.

Example - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-pla-_-NA-_-NA

 

[spidey07]

Most n routers can be set to transmit b/g/n signals. Besides, any wifi node made post 2009 should be n compatible. this includes most common smartphones and tablets.

Most handheld devices are g only, with piss poor radios.

Some have n but it's only very recent models. Still poor radios however. When designing wireless networks you have to take into account your worst performing clients. These days it is smart phones and tablets that are the worst. Poor radios, poor antenna, poor tx power (gotta save battery).

 

[EJ257]

Ignoring the fact that the OP posted this question over 2 years ago

As long as you keep the channel width at 20MHz and enable mixed mode your 802.11a/b/g devices will peacefully coexist with any 802.11n devices. If you decide to use bonded channels (40MHz mode) and transmit in 802.11n only mode then obviously your older, non n-compatible devices will not connect.