Wireless-N ... Cross brand compatability?

[iamwhoiam]

Hi guys

If I buy a Dlink wireless-N ADSL Router, will it work with my clients (at wireless-N speeds) if the laptops/computers use a different brand, eg Netgear PCMCIA card or Belkin USB stick?

Andy

[Agent]

Wireless 802.11n is not official yet (although draft 4 has been approved according to WP), so what you currently have is a bunch of different company's taking the potentially non-finalised standard and using it in their products.

The problem here is that some may not work with others, so quite simply, you will need to try it and see.

If you need to ensure that there is no issues, use a finalised and published standard like 802.11g

[Funkstar]

On the flip side, many manufacturers are on their second of third generation of 802.11n equipment (standard of not). Intel also have a certified Pre-N logo for equipment that is supposed to work with its newest Centrino platform.

Also don't forget that even as a fully published and finalised standard, it took many firmware upgrades for quite a number of 802.11g equipment to play nice with others.