Hi,
I have to buy a wireless modem/route (ADSL) for my mother who just got a 
laptop (wireless-g). I was wondering if I should go for a wireless-g 
modem/router, the like of Linksys WAG200G or for a wireless-N, like
Linksys WAG160N. I know that the speed is going to be limited by her 
ADSL anyway, but the reasoning is that her house is very old with *very* 
thick wall, and I'm slightly worried that a wireless-G network would not 
be enough. I read that apart from the speed, the range of wireless-n is 
much better, so, in case wireless-G doesn't work, and if I buy a 
wireless-N modem/router, I guess I can later buy a wireless-N USB 
adapter for her laptop and make it work this way.
So, I guess my question is: any potential problem using a wireless-N 
modem/router with a wireless-G laptop?

Sorry if this has been covered before.
many thanks

Philippe

On 03/09/2008 in message <SPrvk.52221$E41.27214@text.news.virginmedia.com> 
Philippe Gautier wrote:

>Hi,
>I have to buy a wireless modem/route (ADSL) for my mother who just got a 
>laptop (wireless-g). I was wondering if I should go for a wireless-g 
>modem/router, the like of Linksys WAG200G or for a wireless-N, like
>Linksys WAG160N. I know that the speed is going to be limited by her ADSL 
>anyway, but the reasoning is that her house is very old with very thick 
>wall, and I'm slightly worried that a wireless-G network would not be 
>enough. I read that apart from the speed, the range of wireless-n is much 
>better, so, in case wireless-G doesn't work, and if I buy a wireless-N 
>modem/router, I guess I can later buy a wireless-N USB adapter for her 
>laptop and make it work this way.
>So, I guess my question is: any potential problem using a wireless-N 
>modem/router with a wireless-G laptop?
>
>Sorry if this has been covered before.
>many thanks
>
>Philippe

I wonder if you would be better off with a HomePlug solution, thick walls 
kill wireless signals very quickly.
I got a pair of Devolo HomePlugs - a master and a WAP so I get the benefit 
of wireless without walls attenuating the signal.

-- 
Jeff Gaines Damerham Hampshire UK
All those who believe in psychokinesis raise my hand.

"Jeff Gaines"  wrote in message 
news:xn0fuqikm1iokel000@news.individual.net...
> On 03/09/2008 in message <SPrvk.52221$E41.27214@text.news.virginmedia.com> 
> Philippe Gautier wrote:
>
>>Hi,
>>I have to buy a wireless modem/route (ADSL) for my mother who just got a 
>>laptop (wireless-g). I was wondering if I should go for a wireless-g 
>>modem/router, the like of Linksys WAG200G or for a wireless-N, like
>>Linksys WAG160N. I know that the speed is going to be limited by her ADSL 
>>anyway, but the reasoning is that her house is very old with very thick 
>>wall, and I'm slightly worried that a wireless-G network would not be 
>>enough. I read that apart from the speed, the range of wireless-n is much 
>>better, so, in case wireless-G doesn't work, and if I buy a wireless-N 
>>modem/router, I guess I can later buy a wireless-N USB adapter for her 
>>laptop and make it work this way.
>>So, I guess my question is: any potential problem using a wireless-N 
>>modem/router with a wireless-G laptop?
>>
>>Sorry if this has been covered before.
>>many thanks
>>
>>Philippe
>
> I wonder if you would be better off with a HomePlug solution, thick walls 
> kill wireless signals very quickly.
> I got a pair of Devolo HomePlugs - a master and a WAP so I get the benefit 
> of wireless without walls attenuating the signal.
>
> -- 
> Jeff Gaines Damerham Hampshire UK

I would hold off getting the Homeplugs at the moment.  OFCOM are already 
clamping
down on people using them as there is no type approval and they are causing 
radio
interference.  They are illegal to own and operate in the UK, but OFCOM will 
not
stop companies supplying them.  Many people have hadthe homeplugs 
confiscated in
return for not being prosecuted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S__UBDaL-aE&feature=related

You would be better buying a bigger aerial for the router.  I got one that 
is about
18inches tall from www.aria.co.uk  - it gives another 3 bars on reception 
compared
to the small aerial with the router.
Power levels from routers are limited anyway, it's just sales talk that 
often misleads
by using statements like "extra range" and "extra coverage".  It's just a 
higher
throughput of data because 2 or more channels are used at the same time to 
make the
signal "wider".  That leaves it open to interference from others nearby with 
a router.
The wider the bandwidth of a signal the stronger it needs to be, so it will 
not go through
thick walls any better than a narrow bandwidth, it will be worse.
The only way to think of it is an FM stereo radio providing a hissing signal 
will often
sound perfect in MONO.  That's because you're comparing a wide and narrow
bandwidth.
Stick with G and get a bigger aerial for the router.  Mine cost about £5 and 
works
brilliantly from two floors away.

On 03/09/2008 in message <g9lu5s$l33$1@news.albasani.net> Ian wrote:

>I would hold off getting the Homeplugs at the moment.  OFCOM are already 
>clamping
>down on people using them as there is no type approval and they are 
>causing radio
>interference.  They are illegal to own and operate in the UK, but OFCOM 
>will not
>stop companies supplying them.  Many people have hadthe homeplugs 
>confiscated in
>return for not being prosecuted.
>
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S__UBDaL-aE&feature=related

That video is essentially a radio amateur flying a kite!

There is a brief mention on the RSGB website:
http://www.rsgb-region-12.org.uk/news.php?news_id=109

which essentially says Ofcom aren't interested (although they have a duty 
to investigate individual cases of interference).

I can't find any references to HomePlugs and type approval, not sure what 
is required - do you have any links?

-- 
Jeff Gaines Damerham Hampshire UK
If it's not broken, mess around with it until it is

Philippe Gautier wrote:
> Hi,
> I have to buy a wireless modem/route (ADSL) for my mother who just got a 
> laptop (wireless-g). I was wondering if I should go for a wireless-g 
> modem/router, the like of Linksys WAG200G or for a wireless-N, like
> Linksys WAG160N. I know that the speed is going to be limited by her 
> ADSL anyway, but the reasoning is that her house is very old with *very* 
> thick wall, and I'm slightly worried that a wireless-G network would not 
> be enough. I read that apart from the speed, the range of wireless-n is 
> much better, so, in case wireless-G doesn't work, and if I buy a 
> wireless-N modem/router, I guess I can later buy a wireless-N USB 
> adapter for her laptop and make it work this way.
> So, I guess my question is: any potential problem using a wireless-N 
> modem/router with a wireless-G laptop?
> 
> Sorry if this has been covered before.
> many thanks
> 
> Philippe

  Thanks for all the comments, it gives me food for thoughts.