Submitted by Dallas Smith of Dallas Smith -- Certified Computer/Network Tech

One of the most common services computer repair techs provide is wireless network troubleshooting or new installation. It’s surprising to see how many clients are still using older technology, especially since the newer Wireless N standard has been on the open market for at least a year now. Here are some important points to consider when deciding whether or not to upgrade.

Know your standards

Wireless A: The initial wireless standard which is now all but nonexistent. If you have any equipment using this standard, contact the Smithsonian.

Wireless B: The second standard to be released and a significant upgrade to Wireless A, but pales in comparison to newer standards. Wireless B had an effective range of 60-75 feet and transmitted at 11 Mbps (megabits per second).

Wireless G: A more common standard that was another significant upgrade. Wireless G has an effective range of 150 feet and transmits at 54 Mbps.

Wireless N: This is the newest standard and has an effective range of 300 feet and transmits at 150, 300, or 600 Mbps per second depending on the version.

The easiest way to determine the standard your hardware uses is to look at your router or adapter and locate the model number. From there you can go to the manufacturer’s website and use the support page to locate the specification sheet. If you are not comfortable with this or need further advice you should contact a professional who can help you with this process.

You network is only as strong as its weakest link

For maximum benefit, it’s important you maintain the same standard with all your networked equipment. A laptop with a wireless G adapter will only connect to a router at a maximum of 54 Mbps. Likewise, anything connecting to a wireless G router will only be able to connect a maximum of 54 Mbps.

Another thing to remember is that the ratings given each wireless standard are for internal use only. That means anything inside your home, not the internet. A common misconception is that upgrading your router or adapter will increase your internet speed, this is not true directly. The router and adapter have nothing to do with your overall internet speed, but upgrading can help indirectly by providing you with better range or a more stable connection from client to router.

Dallas Smith is a certified and highly experienced computer/network technician servicing the Washington D.C. metropolitan region. He holds a college degree in network systems and also three industry standard certifications in computer repair, networking and Windows Operating Systems. Furthermore, he has nearly 12 years of residential and corporate experience. He consults in the evenings and weekends in addition to his full time job as a Systems administrator for a financial firm.

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