Questions about range on a wireless network

gsanta · #1 August 21st, 2003, 12:18 AM

Hi..im interested in the wireless linksys router 802.11b but i have range concerns. I live in a 2 story colonial house. My main pc is upstairs on the top floor. I will have that pc hard wired into the router which will sit on my desk. Now, I want to be able to use my laptop in my basement wirelessly, which is 2 floors down. Will this be a problem? I know it can go through walls but will 2 floors be an issue? If so, is there anything i can do to boost the range?
If anyone has a similar setup or if you have advice, i would appreciate the feedback. Most places charge a restocking fee if you return it, and i think thats outrageous.

Glenn

**Spider** · #2 August 21st, 2003, 01:04 AM

Cell/cordless phones, cement, fluorescent lighting, and
alarmed security systems can interfere with wireless signals.

802.11b and 802.11g both say 100 meter range (300 feet). If you
stick to 802.11g equipment you shouldn't have any problems.

gsanta · #3 August 21st, 2003, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spider

Cell/cordless phones, cement, fluorescent lighting, and
alarmed security systems can interfere with wireless signals.

802.11b and 802.11g both say 100 meter range (300 feet). If you
stick to 802.11g equipment you shouldn't have any problems.

Why stick with g?? I thought range was the same with b and g.

Glenn

**Spider** · #4 August 21st, 2003, 01:27 AM

Range is the same but the standards are different. g is a newer standard.
There were too many issues with a and b, hence g.

Some people run b and don't have problems, other do. Then g comes
along.

Think of it like CPUs. Some people will say
"I have Windows 98 running on a 486DX CPU and I don't have any problems at all."
I say "let me install and boot Photoshop on it."

So some people have b and say "no probs runs like a top" and others
take their equipment back to where they bought it cause they are
fed up with trying to make it stable.

a was the beginning. b came after some issues were sorted out but
users were still complaining of connection drops in office buildings (lots of cement).
Now it's g. If you want to save a few dollars you could go b and plug it
all in and see where your at. If your house is wood mostly and you aren't
surrounded by electronical signals or near high power lines then b
should be fine. If you want the latest technology go g.