802.11n performance in a mixed mode environment

Question

Level 4

1,026 points

802.11n performance in a mixed mode environment

Background:

Currently I have 3 bridged Airport Expresses (previous model) set to "g only". In addition to my computers, my Wii, PS3, A/V Receiver and remote controlls also use 802.11g.

Question:

If I were to upgrade to the new 802.11n Airport Express in order to do faster file transfers between my Macs (all n capable) would I see a significant performance bump if it was set to mixed mode g/n or would the mere presence of the 802.11g devices bring the n devices down to g speed?

MacBook Pro 1.83 (7200 HD)/ MacPro 2.66/ mini 1.5Ghz / PBG4 1.25Ghz, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Mar 18, 2008 5:58 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

152,302 points

Mar 18, 2008 8:59 AM in response to Harry

If I were to upgrade to the new 802.11n Airport Express in order to do faster file transfers between my Macs (all n capable) would I see a significant performance bump if it was set to mixed mode g/n or would the mere presence of the 802.11g devices bring the n devices down to g speed?

The default "802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)" radio mode allows for full backwards compatibility in 2.4 GHz, while allowing N to work at about 70% of its full speed in regular-width channels. Having G clients on the network should not bring the entire wireless network down to G speeds.

Reply