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SMHarman · 17-08-2004, 14:04

Wireless a - this works on a 5Mhz frequency and is only compatible with other a products. Due to the higher frequency it travels less distance, but the frequency is less congested with other wirless products so generally more reliable.

Wireless b/g - both use the same 2.4 Mhz frequency b with a max speed of 11Mbs and g with 54Mbs. Most (probably all) g adapters are also dual standard, as such a wireless g will operate with a b access point if there is no g access point, e.g. if you take your g laptop to your mates house with a b wireless lan, it can connect).

The frequencys used for b/g are quite heavily congested with other wireless devices and other potential intrusions. The main items are DECT digital cordless telephones, wireless Video senders and microwave ovens, oh, and other wireless networks.

In the UK there are 13 availible wireless channels, strangely enough numbered 1-13. Channels 1, 6, and 11 are discreet and do not overlap other channels, the others all overlap to a degree and this noise can impact performance of yours and adjoining networks. If you and your neighbours have wirless lans, then you and your neighbours would need to agree on a frequency strategy, say your neighbour on the left has channel 1, you channel 6 and the neighbour on the right 11, that way you will not interfere with oneanother.
Putting your DECT base station, mobile phone, microwave next to the router base unit will also have a negative impact. If you find your network stops working when you switch your microwave on, then the magnetic seals on your microwave have failed and it is time for a new one (or a microwaved tummy if you stand too close).

Height is a great benefit in wireless networks, the stability of the connection on mine improved greatly when I moved the router from desk level to top shelf level (partly I imagine because all the PCs casing and cables were no longer nearby).

A wireless network signal is roughly 1/10th of the strength (at most) of a mobile phone signal. A mobile phone can transmit to a base about 3k away, your network will struggle at 100m. You also do not put the PC or the router against your brain when you use it, as such the risks of wireless networking (by comparison to the percieved risks of mobile phones) are low.

17-08-2004, 14:04	#4
SMHarman Inactive Join Date: Jun 2003 Services: Cablevision Posts: 8,305	Re: Wireless information Wireless a - this works on a 5Mhz frequency and is only compatible with other a products. Due to the higher frequency it travels less distance, but the frequency is less congested with other wirless products so generally more reliable. Wireless b/g - both use the same 2.4 Mhz frequency b with a max speed of 11Mbs and g with 54Mbs. Most (probably all) g adapters are also dual standard, as such a wireless g will operate with a b access point if there is no g access point, e.g. if you take your g laptop to your mates house with a b wireless lan, it can connect). The frequencys used for b/g are quite heavily congested with other wireless devices and other potential intrusions. The main items are DECT digital cordless telephones, wireless Video senders and microwave ovens, oh, and other wireless networks. In the UK there are 13 availible wireless channels, strangely enough numbered 1-13. Channels 1, 6, and 11 are discreet and do not overlap other channels, the others all overlap to a degree and this noise can impact performance of yours and adjoining networks. If you and your neighbours have wirless lans, then you and your neighbours would need to agree on a frequency strategy, say your neighbour on the left has channel 1, you channel 6 and the neighbour on the right 11, that way you will not interfere with oneanother. Putting your DECT base station, mobile phone, microwave next to the router base unit will also have a negative impact. If you find your network stops working when you switch your microwave on, then the magnetic seals on your microwave have failed and it is time for a new one (or a microwaved tummy if you stand too close). Height is a great benefit in wireless networks, the stability of the connection on mine improved greatly when I moved the router from desk level to top shelf level (partly I imagine because all the PCs casing and cables were no longer nearby). A wireless network signal is roughly 1/10th of the strength (at most) of a mobile phone signal. A mobile phone can transmit to a base about 3k away, your network will struggle at 100m. You also do not put the PC or the router against your brain when you use it, as such the risks of wireless networking (by comparison to the percieved risks of mobile phones) are low.