Will 802.11b WAP only slow down 802.11g network when actively connected?

[mshan]

I have an Apple Airport Extreme base station, functioning as an 802.11g network.

I have an old laptop and old Linksys WUSB11 (version 2.6 and version 2.8) USB wireless access point that I would like to use intermittently to update the laptop.

Will this 802.11b WAP only slow down the network while actively connected, or will my Apple Airport Extreme shift down to 802.11b until I go into it's configuration program and reset it to 802.11g? (haven't read manual yet, so don't even know how to do this)

 

[JackMDS]

No matter what there would be some slow down.

Whether it is Small or Big depends on the specific models.

 

[mshan]

Will the wireless network automatically revert up to g speeds once I turn off the laptop with b adapter connected?

 

[spidey07]

Just have any 802.11b devices within reach of the 802.11g AP will slow down all 802.11G throughput. So it doesn't even have to be associated.

If the 802.11G ap isn't receiving any beacons from 11b radios it will not have to use the slower 11b modulation and will run at peak throughput.

 

[JackMDS]

Hmm.. I think that confusion is arises from you calling the Linksys WUSB11 an Access Point.

The answers that you got above assumed that you have an additional 802.11b Access Point.

The Linksys WUSB11 is a USB Wireless client card when you do not actually use it the Wireless Router would work as G.

 

[Madwand1]

However, using b devices tends to keep you limited to WEP security at best, which is considered very weak these days.