Multicast Rate: 2 Mbps or 11 Mbps...which setting?

I am trying to maximize the speed on my network. I have upgraded from 1.5 Mbps to 6.0 Mbps with my ISP and I have changed a setting in airport utility to reflect 802.11g compatible only. These changes were based on helpful posts here so I thank all. I have one last setting (Multicast) I have a question about that I have read conflicting opinions on so I am posting here to get a definitive answer if possible. I have a WDS network setup with an old UFO-like airport extreme base station as the main station and then 2 airport expresses set up as the relay and remote stations. All 3 are older and don't have the 802.11n standard. I use 2 powerbooks, 2 iphones, and 2 ipads on the network not all at the same time. I currently have the airport utility setting to be 2 Mbps on the multicast setting...would it make my wireless experience faster if I changed the Multicast setting to 5.5 or 11 Mbps or does it not make a difference? Thanks much.

Powerbook G4

Posted on Apr 28, 2010 11:36 AM

2 replies

Apr 28, 2010 12:49 PM in response to Community User

+I currently have the airport utility setting to be 2 Mbps on the multicast setting...would it make my wireless experience faster if I changed the Multicast setting to 5.5 or 11 Mbps or does it not make a difference? Thanks much.+

Multicast is misunderstood by many users. It has nothing to do with the maximum speed on your network.

The multicast rate is the minimum speed at which a device is allowed to connect. If you set this too high, some older devices running at lower speeds will not be able to connect if multicast is set too high.

Leave it set at the lower 2 Mbps setting and all will be well.

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Multicast Rate: 2 Mbps or 11 Mbps...which setting?

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