Wireless N decision

[Kristi2k]

I'm thinking about purchasing the D-Link DGL-4500 Xtreme N Gaming Router but am concerned about the potential issue with upgrading to the final version of N when it's completed. The previous models in this line have had an excellent track of firmware updates.

http://games.dlink.com/products/?pid=643

 

[JackMDS]

There is No answer to your question.

There are promises but then every manfacturer has a Disclaimer too.

They try to pretend that there is No problems. But if there where None the 802.11n would be already a Standard.

Mean time they sell and every device bought is another few hours delay in the ratification.

 

[Madwand1]

Standardization still looks to be about two years away at this point, and there are no guarantees one way or another.

http://grouper.ieee.org/groups...s/802.11_Timelines.htm

In the meanwhile, you can get some benefit from draft-n and the prices are coming down in parts.

OTOH, these products are already being obsoleted by the march of development, marketing and sales -- all the vendors have yet another line coming out now or shortly, and in a year or two, the odds of them dropping support for the current and previous lines will be higher.

 

[Blues X]

I had thought that the N draft 2.0 certified products are guaranteed to be compatible with the final N specification. Then I read this on the Wi-Fi Alliance website:

Will my Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 802.11n draft 2.0-based Wi-Fi product work with products that are Wi-Fi CERTIFIED and designed to comply with the final 802.11n standard?

When the final 802.11n standard is ratified by the IEEE, the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED program will be updated to align with its requirements. This is expected in 2009. At this point it is not possible to determine whether ?forward compatibility? with the final standard will exist, but it is widely believed that at least some manufacturers will be able to upgrade equipment via a software update.


So it's a definite "maybe".

 

[JackMDS]

Yeah in general most people who are uo with technology would buy new anyway in two to three years.

So in principle One can say OK, I would buy draft-N and would buy again in 2-3 years.
The problem is pirce and benfit.

If One has a new laptop that came with Drat-N Wireless and does not have or plan new Wireless computer,
then buying a decent Dratf-N Wireless Router for $30 to $40 might be a good idea.

But if there One use few Wireless computers and plan on more the expense will sky rocket since the Draft-N cards are expensive too.

In addition if the Wireless is used mainly for Internet surfing than the benefit from it might very small to begin with.

So each one should analyze his situation and decide based on technology and value, and keep away from pushy marketers, cool, and similar social variables.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Blues X
I had thought that the N draft 2.0 certified products are guaranteed to be compatible with the final N specification. Then I read this on the Wi-Fi Alliance website:

Will my Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 802.11n draft 2.0-based Wi-Fi product work with products that are Wi-Fi CERTIFIED and designed to comply with the final 802.11n standard?

When the final 802.11n standard is ratified by the IEEE, the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED program will be updated to align with its requirements. This is expected in 2009. At this point it is not possible to determine whether ?forward compatibility? with the final standard will exist, but it is widely believed that at least some manufacturers will be able to upgrade equipment via a software update.


So it's a definite "maybe".

Or to put it on the short side, it is guaranteed, just as 802.11g is guaranteed to cover 300 feet in distance indoor, and provide functional Bandwidth of 54Mb/sec. - :shocked: -

 

[Kristi2k]

I'm going to be using it for our new house, instead of putting holes in the office, I would like to go all wireless (Printer, laptop, desktop and the NAS/Xbox would be hooked directly to the router).

I supposed I could run a few more lines of cable to the office.

 

[Griffinhart]

The gaming router is decent. you might want to look at the DIR-655 also. It's a little cheaper, and quite excellent.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Kristi2k
I'm going to be using it for our new house, instead of putting holes in the office, I would like to go all wireless (Printer, laptop, desktop and the NAS/Xbox would be hooked directly to the router).

I supposed I could run a few more lines of cable to the office.

Well, in such cases it depends on the environment,

If the environment is so that more than one Wireless unit is needed a good 802.11g is currently a better solution.

If you go with Draf-N, finding devices that can do WDS, Client Mode etc., is not simple affair and it is "Highway Robbery" price wise.

While a Good 802.11g with few WDS units and Driverless Client cards are not very expensive.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Griffinhart
The gaming router is decent. you might want to look at the DIR-655 also. It's a little cheaper, and quite excellent.

Will the DIR-655 do N and 802.11g at the same time, or is it one or the other?

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Will the DIR-655 do N and 802.11g at the same time, or is it one or the other?

Draft-n routers can do a combination of n and g -- either n or g or both n and g. There is some performance impact on n when n and g are being used concurrently.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30224/100/

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Madwand1

Originally posted by: Muadib
Will the DIR-655 do N and 802.11g at the same time, or is it one or the other?

Draft-n routers can do a combination of n and g -- either n or g or both n and g. There is some performance impact on n when n and g are being used concurrently.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30224/100/

Wow, you ain't kidding! I don't know what to do now.

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: Griffinhart
The gaming router is decent. you might want to look at the DIR-655 also. It's a little cheaper, and quite excellent.

Will the DIR-655 do N and 802.11g at the same time, or is it one or the other?

It will do N, G and B at the same time.

The Gaming rounter will do N and A at 5.8ghz, compatible N cards are hard to find. It will also do N, G and B at 2.4ghz. It's an either or sort of thing. you run either at 5.8 or 2.4 but not both.

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: Madwand1

Originally posted by: Muadib
Will the DIR-655 do N and 802.11g at the same time, or is it one or the other?

Draft-n routers can do a combination of n and g -- either n or g or both n and g. There is some performance impact on n when n and g are being used concurrently.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30224/100/

Wow, you ain't kidding! I don't know what to do now.

Keep in mind, that the hit only occurs when N and G devices are actively transfering data simultaneously.