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When 54 Mbps isn't 54 Mbps: 802.11g's Real Speed

Posted by michael on from the compatibility-more-important-than-speed dept.

eggboard writes "Matthew Gast, author of 802.11 Wireless Networks, filed this article for O'Reilly Networks explaining exactly how fast 802.11g really is: that is, what's the actual data payload and real throughput, not the rated maximum speed. His conclusion? In mixed 802.11b/g networks, which will be common for years to come, g is only 1.6 to 2.4 times faster than b, not 5 times faster as it is in its g-only mode. This article has real math based on the specs, rather than armchair speculation."

3 of 127 comments (clear)

  1. Top 5 Reasons to Avoid Wireless by Amsterdam+Vallon · · Score: 5, Funny

    5.) It's still too slow to download Celeste-Virtual_BJ.avi in a reasonable time
    4.) You're not a cafe communist with a computer and a four dollar cup of coffee.
    3.) The low-bandwidth version of Slashdot doesn't have those cool 1997 .GIF icons.
    2.) The babes dig retro shit these days, like 14.4bps dial-up.
    1.) Your life revolves around physical things, not six-hundred dollar mp3 players (iPaqs, etc.)

    --

    Reply or e-mail; don't vaguely moderate. Ex-O'Reilly/MIT employee, now a full-time Google employee.
  2. 802.11b is fast enough by toupsie · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have no complaints about the speed of my neighbor's wifi access point.

    --
    Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.
  3. Re:Quick rundown: (corrected, mod this one up) by ShadeARG · · Score: 5, Funny

    Holy ballz son. You've discovered a new formula!

    1) Post Insightfully with format errors
    2) Admit to mistake and repost with corrections
    3) Go from Insightful to Informative and reap in double the karma

    Niiice.