mixing 802.11b and 802.11g..question...

[kepper]

just want to make sure I understand this correctly..

Here is my network setup (I am aiming at the highest possible network efficiency and speed)
I have cox cable running into the modem, which connects to a router(non wireless). I plug a wireless AP into the router to create a wireless network in my home (running at 802.11g..all the clients connecting to that WAP are 802.11g)

now if I want to connect a new device.. that is only capable of 802.11b speed, is there a way to create a different network or subnet off of the same router that will run at 802.11b and not slow down the 802.11g network?

i.e.
(subnet 1) is for file sharing, internet surfing, streaming audio video on wireless laptops running at 802.11g
(subnet 2) is for a wireless touchscreen for a home theater system that only runs at 802.11b. I dont want this device to define the speed for the entire house.

suggestions?
if a second Wireless AP is plugged into the router, broadcasting a different SSID for the touchscreen.. that will still slow down network speed for the 1st wireless AP right?

[Alan87i]

If you set one Ap on ch 1 and the other on Ch 11 I think it will be fine.
Also try not to mount them in the same general area. Make sure the G unit is set to allow G only.
Allan
VA2CBE

[kepper]

so, AP's on different channels will transmit different speeds?

if both clients are on the same network, connected to the same router through different Wireless AP's on different channels but the Same SSID, with one client being 802.11g and the other 802.11b, they will both transmit at their respective speeds.... the 802.11g client won't drop down to 802.11b???

that doesn't sound right

I thought it was if 2 devices share the same router, no matter how the nodes are set, they all operate at the fastest speed of the slowest machine. (wirelessly of course, and by speed, I mean network speed)
maybe i was wrong ?

[Alan87i]

You will have to use seperate ssid's for each AP.
Most Ap's or routers have a setting for connection speed. If you set it in G mode or xx Mbps they will only allow connections to devices close enough or able to connect at that speed.
Allan
VA2CBE

[kepper]

ahh thank you very much..
I kept thinking I had to get a layer 3 switch and plug 2 routers into it, each as a separate dhcp network.
well this solves my problem.

how far apart should the 2 APs be if they are on different channels and broadcasting diff SSIDs?

[Alan87i]

I'd say at least 5 or 6 feet as a starting point, then experiment from there. RF can bounce off many things with in the home.
My self I would try to mount the new ap in a different room close or in the area of the new device you need it for.
That way if it's close enough you may even be able to lower it's power output and drop the risk of interference even further.
Allan
VA2CBE