At the moment the best performance for the price is: D-Link Extreme G Bundle Kit ($89 after rebate) :light::light::light:
Bundle= Super G Wireless Cable/DSL Router + Super G capable PCMCIA Cardbus.
Why?
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. (b=bits 8bits=1Byte)
These are the most common used Wireless standard and their official rating.
802.11b = 11Mb/sec. Network "Speed" (Carrier transmission 2.4GHz)
802.11g = 54Mb/sec. Network "Speed" (Carrier transmission 2.4GHz)
Wireless Ethernet needs additional protocol over head for the transfer. In addition, it is not as stable as Wired so it needs extra processing procedures.
As a result the 11Mb/sec. of the Network chipset is translated to a much lower actual performance.
Usually 4-6Mb/sec.
Few 802.11b hardware units are also capable to work at 22Mb/sec. (usually referred to as b+) it is nice if it works, in real term will yield 20%-40% more than 11Mb/sec. systems.
The 802.11g line that is rated 54Mb/sec. in the real world it yields
18-22Mb/sec.
***
Does 802.11g provides more Distance than 802.11b?***
The answer is
Yes and No.
Since the frequency and the output power 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
Notice how the D-Link and Netgear Super G Stick above the rest of the Crowd.
Note. If you go with Super G all Wireless units should be of the same Brand.
At the moment the best performance for the price is:
D-Link Extreme G Bundle Kit ($89 after rebate)
On Distance in general.
2.4Ghz. is the microwave band; it looses energy on Water molecules. It is susceptible to 2.4GHz noise, and there is a lot of it around (Microwaves, Cordless Phones, etc.)
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.
Link to:
Wireless - Basic Configuration.
Link to:
Wireless Security for the Home User.
Link to:
Extending the Distance of Entry Level Wireless Network.
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