Difference between G and N Routers?

Tech Talk
1

Today i got this crappy linksys router, so we wanna replace it but I see that there are 2 different types of routers ( G and N) the only difference i know is that N is the most recent one, if that is so does that make incompatible with my old devices? I have comcast, just need a good wireless router. Any input greatly appreciated.

2

Most any router with N capability can also broadcast in B and G. Just look up the router model on the manufacturer’s website to see if it has backwards compatibility.

3

Quick reply. Thank you.

4

N broadcasts over a greater range, but few devices have N receivers. G is your basic standard wireless that most things use.

5

802.11n is a lot faster than 802.11g and has a wider broadcast range (as well as SRX and MIMO built-in), but in order to take advantage of it, you’ll need an N receiver, too. The 802.11n spec, which was finally standardized recently, is also backwards-compatible with 802.11b/g, too, so you really can’t go wrong with a compatible router.

Might I recommend D-Link. I’ve had bad luck with Linksys and Netgear in the past.

6

All of these posts are right. Do like septimus says and go with the d-link. It’s probably the best if you don’t like fooling with custom firmware. If you do (guessing no by the nature of this question), looking for a router that supports DD-WRT custom firmware is a great idea.

7

Does the wireless-N range increase also apply to wireless-G devices that connect to the router? Or will the wireless-G devices connect at the same range as with a wireless-G router?

I’m asking this because I currently have a wireless-G router with crap range and I don’t want to have to buy completely new adapters for the computers that connect to a new wireless-N router.

8

The range will only apply to wireless N devices, so unless it has a wireless N receiver it’ll gain no benefit.

9

Listen to ComradeTao about the DD-WRT. It turns your mediocre router into an awesome router. Check to see if the linksys you have can be flashed to it. I especially like the quality of service feature, I set my xbox to the highest priority and the wife’s laptop to the lowest.

10

Is there any Wireless N routers that will let me install tomato Firmware and bridge them? I have a pair wrt54GLs that are bridged using tomato firmware. One in the office with the cable modem and the other bridged wirelessly to the first in the living room for my ps3 and xbox. I’d like a pair of N routers that can do that but had no luck in finding some. Does DD-WRT do this?
My Setup

http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww301/rtdzign/Misc/Router-Setup.jpg

11

If I may…