Few questions regarding Wireless N routers

[Andeh13]

I recently bought a NAS and i like the idea of streaming films from it (standard & HD) so i can watch them on laptop. I have been told that G routers wouldn't cope but N routers might. Has anyone ever tried streaming films (SD & HD) via a N network? The laptop will have a N chip in it aswell.

Would the N network is backwards compatible? As my flatmate has an old laptop that is B/G compatible?

And finally, this is the sort of router im looking at, would it be able to do all of the above?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Linksys-WRT350...3%3A1|294%3A50

thanks guys

[Arimus]

Most N routers are backward compatible. However; Some N routers operate on 5+GHz compared to the 2.4 (or is it 2.1?) GHz of BG.... most routers for home use though work on the 2.4GHz frequency the same as 802.11b/g.

What I am not sure about is whether having a b or g device on an n network will slow all devices down to the slowest speed link...

The router you linked looks suitable. However, you will need an external cable or ADSL device as the WRT350N does not have one built in.

[Andeh13]

What do you mean an extra ADSL device? Its not as easy as plugging it into the telephone socket? (is it as easy as that with o2 broadband? - iv been with sky for so long i cant remember).

thank you

[Arimus]

The WRT350N does not have a built-in ADSL modem so you can not just plug it into the ADSL line and expect it to work.

Something like this would be needed in addition:-
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/hardwa...k-dsl300t.html

Something like a Belkin N1 Vision (make sure you get the adsl variant not the cable variant) would be a better bet as it has the ADSL modem built in.

[Andeh13]

The modem we get with o2/BE*, could we plug that into the router i posted above using an Ethernet cable? Would that do the job?

thanks

[Arimus]

Depends on the modem you get from o2/BE... if you can link it I'll take a look.

[Andeh13]

www.shop.o2.co.uk/promo/o2mobilebroadband

We'll be on the mid package was whatever modem comes with that. Sorry i cant be more specific im abroad visiting family & it wont let me see the o2 shop.

[Arimus]

By the look of it no - that device is purely a USB 3G/HSDPA modem. Mobile broadband devices/packages such as these are designed purely for single PC use. You could probably use a PC to provide router functionality using linux but not sure what Linux's support for these devices is like (the linux network devices we design at work interface to VHF / UHF radios so while I do alot with linux as a router not done much using linux + usb mobile broadband devices).

(3G mobile broadband and ADSL are very different beasts - the only thing in common is they're faster than narrowband )

[Andeh13]

I see, thank you very much for your help mate! In terms of all in one solutions what should i be looking for to make sure it works? Just a mention of 'adsl modem' in the specs?

As for it being backwards compatible in terms of being able to stream N and B/G etc at the same time, is that the same, just looking for a router that stats it is compatible....or is it a fairly common feature that wouldn't necessarily be advertised all over the place?

[Arimus]

As far I know all 802.11n wireless access points which operate on the 2.4Ghz band provide backward compatibility. Most of the ones which operate on 5.0Ghz also provide a fallback 2.4Ghz mode with b/g capability.

You seem to be after two different things - in your original post you're refering to fixed line (cable/adsl etc) broadband and in later posts mobile broadband.

I think Vodafone (and possibly T-Mobile) offer a mobile broadband router.

As to a fixed line (ADSL) router - look for ADSL modem in the specs as you say

[Andeh13]

Sorry im not making it very clear, iv never really looked into this sort of thing before. Our uni houses & accommodation all came pre wired & before that we just had standard wireless connections at home.

Ill describe the situation ill be in and maybe you can advise on that better;

Ill be living in 2 bed flat with a mate of mine. I'll be setting up a NAS connected via wireless to share files between both of us (mainly films in SD & HD). My laptop is N compatible, his isnt. I want to be able to stream HD films etc to my laptop so when im in the lounge/bedroom etc i can watch them, hence me wanting the N speeds. We'll also be getting N/G/B compatible wireless cards for our computers for the internet in general.

This will all be running off a O2/BE* connection with whatever modem they provide, probably a usb modem from what you said earlier.

Its just an easy to use wireless router to tie it all together really, the cheaper the better preferably!

[Arimus]

In that case I'd get a fixed line system - either ADSL in which case BE* are a good choice, or cable if Virgin operate in your area.

Most mobile solutions have monthly bandwidth caps - one good quality HD film will easily bust that cap wide open - not to mention the high latency and jitter (variation in latency) will cause problems with streaming films.

The BE* modem/router only offers b/g (10/54mbit) speeds so probably won't be up to what you need. BT's Homehub 2 offers n but I'm not overly impressed by its claims about range and power...

I'd personally consider going with BE* but get yourself your own router - such as the Belkin N1 vision for access/wi-fi network provision.

[Andeh13]

Sorry, think im confusing the matter. Im not after mobile broadband, just a fixed line to our flat. I cant stand VM & we didn't use sky this year so its purely internet speeds we're after (hence 02/BE*). The streaming will be within the flat via the w-ifi provided by our router!

[Arimus]

That case go with BE* - the O2 info you linked earlier is purely mobile broadband...

BE* have a good reputation (you watch, now I've said that they'll go down hill - ) - if there are only two of you on the network my advice would be to try the router BE* provide to start with and only get a faster router (n) if you find you need the extra performance.

[Funkstar]

That case go with BE* - the O2 info you linked earlier is purely mobile broadband...

However O2 own Be* and actually offer a slightly cheaper ADSL2+ package, even though it is identical. cheaper still if you have an O2 mobile (even a PAYG).

As for 802.11n: Unlike the migration from B to G wireless, there is no performance penatly from using a G device on a N network, all the other N devices will still negotiate a N-spec connection. However, running a B device on there will knock G devices down to B speeds. I believe N devices will still ne unafected by the B device.

2.4Ghz and 5Ghz: Everything (B, G and N) will run at 2.4Ghz. N however has the ability to run at 5Ghz, meaning it has much more potential bandwidth and much less chance of interfering with nearby 802.11g networks. This is an optional part of the specification though, it's mostly just the high end gear that has a 5Ghz band. To make use of it, both the Router/AP and the client receivers need to support 5Ghz, not all do. Though you can mix and match, on device without 5Ghz capability isn't going to effect one that has.

I personally doubt there is much of a cost difference between producing a device with and a device without 5Ghz, but there is a difference in the positioning of that device in the market, so there tends to be quite a price difference when you come to buy them.

[Andeh13]

Bugger, sorry for the confusion Arimus. Because i am in South Africa atm i cant see o2's website (just get a message saying their packages aren't available in this territory) so I just presumed it was the correct broadband package.

I am looking at the 20mb, unlimited dl o2 package for around £12 from memory (flat mate is with o2). This will be coming through the phone socket, so its a cheap N router with an ADSL modem built in that i should be looking for? Ill probably get one off ebay to keep the costs down.