A set of Network Questions...

Hey all,

I've got a few questions regarding networking in general and then some issues that have popped up since upgrading (in place) to Win7.

1) Generic question: If I were to install a Wireless N router would the wireless network default to the slowest connection on the network? For example, if I had two N wireless adapters and one B adapter would the entire network run at B speeds? If so, would a dual band router allow me to circumvent the issue?

2) Generic question: Would the same issue as outlined in #1 be a problem in a wired network? Can I mix 10/100 and gigE on the same wired network and achieve gig speeds between gig-enabled devices?

3) Specific: I have an HP dv9500t that I upgraded to Win7. HP has not released Win7 drivers for this machine but I have been able to work around the few issues that I encountered. However, my wireless connection to my Linksys AP (Wireless-G broadband router WRT54G2 with up-to-date s/w) seems to be dropping and recovering on a regular basis. I have not seen the issue on any other wireless network. If I am downloading a large file (say 1G) the d/l will proceed at full speed for ~45 seconds and then drop to zero for ~45 seconds. I'll usually get the "limited connectivity" alert but then the link will restore itself and begin transferring again. I've run some of the Linksys diags when it is down and it usually tells me that the default gateway is unavailable and resets my wireless adapter and the whole routine starts again. Quite frustrating. I've worked with Linksys tech support (they claim no known issues with Win7) and their supposition is that it is an interference issue and they suggest I change wireless channels. I've tried 6 different channels and the issue does not change. I have tried upgrading the adapter drivers the the latest available from HP (Vista drivers, not Win7) and have also tried drivers from the adapter manufacturer (Intel Wireless WiFi link 4965AGN, Win 7 drivers) but the issue is still there. I have also rest my AP back to factory defaults to no avail. It certainly could be that I have burned through yet another wireless AP but before replacing it I wanted to see if anyone might have suggestions.

4) Since, as far as I know, Homegroup cannot be used unless all of the PCs on the network are Win7 I am trying to utilize Workgroup settings to config my network. The problem is that my wirelessly connected laptop does not seem to have access to my wired workgroup unless I set the SSID of the AP to the same name as my workgroup. Is this normal operation or is there a good tutorial around showing me how to set this up?

Thanks a bunch,
Ski

Looks like I'm not the only one having this issue - there is a sudden proliferation of postings with the same symptoms. I'll try disabling ip6 support and see if it helps.

Ski

I'll give it a go.

1) As long as each wireless AP is wired to your network (not wirelessly bridged to each other) your speed will be determined by which one you connect to. You connect to the N you get N speed, you connect to the G you get G speed.

2) You can mix 10/100 and gig in the same network but the slowest link between 2 machines will determine the speed. If you have a gig adapter in a desktop and go through a gig switch and a 10/100 router to an other gig adapter in a different desktop you only get 100 speed.

3) Sounds like a driver issue.

4) Homegroup is only a w7 thing at this time.

I'll give it a go.

1) As long as each wireless AP is wired to your network (not wirelessly bridged to each other) your speed will be determined by which one you connect to. You connect to the N you get N speed, you connect to the G you get G speed.

2) You can mix 10/100 and gig in the same network but the slowest link between 2 machines will determine the speed. If you have a gig adapter in a desktop and go through a gig switch and a 10/100 router to an other gig adapter in a different desktop you only get 100 speed.
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Thanks for the try ultra but I guess I didn't make my question clear enough. I'm looking at connecting multiple devices to a single N router with GigE ports. I am wondering if attaching any 802.11B device to the N network will bring the entire network down to B speeds even if the B device is not in the path. So, if I were to be transfer large file between two N-capable devices and then attached a third device that was only capable of B speeds would I be able to continue N-speed communications between the two N devices or would the entire network be limited by the B device?

I'm trying to implement the setup in the attached diagram (if it uploaded correctly) and I'm wondering if:
1) Will I be able to make transfers between Desktop 1, Desktop 2, and the External drive at full GigE speeds or will the 10/100 printer cause the network to ratchet down to 10/100?
2) Can Laptop 2 communicate with Desktop 1, Desktop 2 , and the External Drive at full N speeds or will the wireless be ratcheted back to B when laptop 2 is connected to the network?

Thanks,
Ski

Skibumtx said:

Looks like I'm not the only one having this issue - there is a sudden proliferation of postings with the same symptoms. I'll try disabling ip6 support and see if it helps.

Ski

Man, this issue has me stumped - and based on the number of new posts showing the same issue - I'm not the only one.

I'll close this part of my question (Issues 3) and move it to, yet another, thread.

Ski

Skibumtx said:

I'm trying to implement the setup in the attached diagram (if it uploaded correctly) and I'm wondering if:
1) Will I be able to make transfers between Desktop 1, Desktop 2, and the External drive at full GigE speeds or will the 10/100 printer cause the network to ratchet down to 10/100?
2) Can Laptop 2 communicate with Desktop 1, Desktop 2 , and the External Drive at full N speeds or will the wireless be ratcheted back to B when laptop 2 is connected to the network?

Thanks,
Ski

Ski - It would all depend on your router. It is a valid concern but only your router maker will know how they have it all configured. I have a gig switch that lets everything work at its full speed no matter what other devices are connected. In number 1 above you will be limited by the speed of the USB connection. In number 2 it will depend on your router.

What is the router? Model?

I don't have one yet I'm still chasing through the dropped wireless connection issue that seems to be cropping up everywhere.

Any suggestions?

Ski