Wow... Talk about a HUGE difference! 5ghz really helped

[aphex]

So following my previous 50 threads on the topic, I finally decided something had to be done. With nearly 20 wireless networks in range of my laptop, i determined it was just too crowded for me and was likely the cause of my wireless issues (as some of you had suggested).

I took advantage of the eBay deal and picked up a Airport Extreme (gigabit model) for a great price.

Plugged it in, set it up on 5ghz only, and OH MY LORD, what a freaking difference. No longer do pages take 2-3 seconds to respond following my click to even start loading. No longer do pages themselves stop loading halfway through. No longer does my connection just inexplicably stop responding for 10-15 seconds at a time (though it says i'm still connected).

Ahhhhhh, so far 5ghz has been a godsend.

I'm so happy i could pee.

 

[spidey07]

The 5 ghz spectrum is pretty wide open with little noise and a LOT more channels. Not only that but by design 802.11a is FASTER than 802.11g even in completely noise free environments on both spectrums.

In every aspect 802.11a is better. The only draw back is doesn't penetrate quite as good as 802.11g.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: spidey07
The 5 ghz spectrum is pretty wide open with little noise and a LOT more channels. Not only that but by design 802.11a is FASTER than 802.11g even in completely noise free environments on both spectrums.

In every aspect 802.11a is better. The only draw back is doesn't penetrate quite as good as 802.11g.

Well luckily I think in my case, the short distance it needs to travel is offset by the less interference.

On second thought though, since no one uses 5ghz really, I don't want it to get crowded.

I changed my mind, 5ghz sucks... Don't buy anything with 5ghz :beer:

 

[aphex]

Actually I have a question, if my Airport Extreme is 5ghz only, why is my wife's laptop (with only a 802.11g card) able to see the network? It can't connect to it, but it can still see it.

 

[spidey07]

impossible, what model of card is in the laptop? Or the airport is doing something funky and actually sending 802.11g beacons even if you set it to .a only.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: spidey07
impossible, what model of card is in the laptop? Or the airport is doing something funky and actually sending 802.11g beacons even if you set it to .a only.

Well i have it set to .11n 5ghz only.... But the b/g card in my wife's toshiba laptop still can see it, no idea why.

This is her laptop; http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16834114260

 

[aphex]

I just checked on another laptop I have here, can't see the 5ghz network at all. WEIRD.

How would one b/g laptop be able to see it but another b/g laptop cannot?

 

[tomt4535]

Are you using 11n only or 11n b/g compatibe?

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: tomt4535
Are you using 11n only or 11n b/g compatibe?

11n only and 5ghz only

 

[NickOlsen8390]

i have a broadcom b/g card in my laptop, and when we were at a hotel and my friend had a extra router that was b/g/a i could see both the g and a connections, just couldn't connect to it, doesn't make scene, but it happens.

 

[aphex]

lol, im an idiot. Its an a/b/g card in the one laptop

 

[aphex]

Just an update again, I can't believe this whole setup works, but it does, beautifully.

Main Router - Airport Extreme in 5ghz Only Mode (speedy connection for my Macbook) - SSID: Heaven
Access Point - Linksys WRT54GC plugged directly into AE for legacy b/g wifi - SSID: Purgatory
Wireless Bridge - Zyxel P330W wireless link to the WRT54GC for my Brother 7820n Multifunction Network Printer