Wired vs. Wireless B. vs. Wireless G

[Klinger]

Can someone please tell me what I am missing, because what I see in reality doesn't seem to coincide with what I calculate:

I am moving into a condo and I am considering making the desktops wireless rather than running cables on the carpet or through the walls. DSL download speeds are generally 1.5 Mbps or less. A wireless B network with an excellent connection is supposed to be able to hold 10 Mbps. So, in theory since a wireless network can support up to 8.5 Mbps more than it?s getting currently, it should be just as fast as a wired connection. However, this isn?t the case. A wired connection is still faster.

Why is that ?

Would it be any different with a wireless G network?

The end result I want is to have a wireless solution that is as fast for DSL as a wired solution. I don't mind buying wireless G hardware if I know it is going to work.

 

[AFB]

Wireless "B" if perfect for broadband. The only reason to get "G" is for LAN transfers like sharing files between your home computers.

 

[ToeJam13]

I agree with amdfanboy.

802.11b is perfect for broadband access. It also makes a fine choice for network print servers and the occassional document transfer between desktops. With WEP, expect about 6-9Mbps with a strong signal. Latency is usually just a few milliseconds. Several companies are running promos on new equipment, with APs, AP/Firewall combos, and receivers running about $20 each. Used equipment is cheaper than dirt.

802.11g is also perfect for broadband and print server access. Its a good choice for moderate file transfer use. With WEP, expect around 30-45Mbps with a strong signal. Again, latency is usually just a few milliseconds. However, equipment is expensive. APs start at $60, AP/Firewall combos start at $80, and desktop receivers start at $35

Some WiFi manufacturers allow you to bond two channels together, doubling your bandwidth (22Mbps for 802.11b and 108Mbps for 802.11a/g). However, none of the no-name brands do this, and bigger names such as Netgear, Linksys, and Orinicco/Proxim charge more for it... sometimes up for 50% more. Even with dual channel 802.11g, with WEP enabled, I doubt you'd ever break 92Mbps.

100BaseTX Fast Ethernet is perfect for broadband, print servers and moderate file transfers. They are secure, have typical latencies of under one millisecond, and work well when hit with lots of "cross traffic" between desktops. It's also cheap, with a good Intel PRO/100 server NIC going for around $30, and cheaper generic brands as little as $5. Good money your mainboard already has it built in. Eight port switches are as cheap as $20.

1000BaseT Gigabit Ethernet is perfect for everything, including streaming HD video, transfering ISO/DVD images, and moving that huge porn collection your buddy brings over. You will most likely max out your desktop before your max out the Gigabit NIC. Its compares well with 802.11g prices. A good Intel PRO/1000 desktop NIC can be purchased for around $42, and cheaper generic brands are as little as $20. Eight port switches are as cheap as $120. Newer Athlon64 and Pentium3 mainboards even have it onboatd.

 

[Klinger]

Thank you both for your replies. I see that you both say that Wireless B is perfect for broadband and your reasoning makes perfect sense. The one point that still bothers me though is this:

Is there an explanation then for why it appears that my wireless laptop is slower than my desktop when surfing the web?

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Klinger
Thank you both for your replies. I see that you both say that Wireless B is perfect for broadband and your reasoning makes perfect sense. The one point that still bothers me though is this:

Is there an explanation then for why it appears that my wireless laptop is slower than my desktop when surfing the web?

Try it with Wire it probably feel the same. Laptops are usually more sluggish than their counterpart Desktops. Mainly has to do with the Power consumption circuitry that affects performance even when it is Off.

As for numerical comparison between Wire ? 802.11b - 802.g ? 802.11g Super.

Link to: Wireless What Should I Get?

 

[Cheetah8799]

Originally posted by: Klinger
Thank you both for your replies. I see that you both say that Wireless B is perfect for broadband and your reasoning makes perfect sense. The one point that still bothers me though is this:

Is there an explanation then for why it appears that my wireless laptop is slower than my desktop when surfing the web?

thick walls, bad placement of router antenna(s) and/or wireless adapter's antenna, poor connection quality, etc. That'll slow it down. At my apartment, the laptop IS slower than my wired desktop. It's still plenty fast though, so I don't care.

 

[ToeJam13]

You may also want to check your WiFi power settings. If you are using your laptop without a power cord, many WiFi transmitters will drop into a power saving mode. This will reduce your transmission power, resulting in a weaker signal and thus a lower speed negotiation with the AP.

 

[mamisano]

I have a laptop and router that run 802.11b, Cable speeds here max at 8.0Mbps (FAST!). I have no problem with Internet slowdown using this setup. Now, transferring large files from Laptop to PC via Wireless, then there is a BIG slowdown.

 

[Klinger]

Thank you so much everyone. I will check out everything you've said.

 

[Goosemaster]

Remember...

REAL AVERAGE TRANSFER RATES are different than the ideal one printed on the box.

802.11b:
Avertised :11Mbps
Reallife: max of about 8Mbps ( I get about 3Mbps on my 802.11b netowrk about 50ft away)

802.11g:
Advertised: 54Mbps
Reallife: max of about 20Mbps


802.11g(extremeg and superG)
Advertised: 108Mbps
Reallife: max of about 40Mbps