What wifi is compatible with what wifi?

Question

were gonna get wifi on our house so we don't have to run wires all over. but I'm not sure what to get. I thought about getting a N router because the router will be downstairs and I have wood floors and plaster walls. also the furthest computer will be 60 to 70 feet away . but were using PCs so were gonna have to get wifi cards. wifi G cards are only $10 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2526192&CatId=2692). and to save money i would rather get a G card. So my first question is will a wifi N router compatible with a G card in my PC? My seconded question is if they are compatible will the G card

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3246388&CatId=268

be able to do my full 100Mbps dsl speed? by the way, thats the card i would get. Third question is will a G router work? so this wont be so complicating. Any thing will help. im new to networking. ill take suggestions, any thing. thanks!!

Answer 1

While N will be significantly faster (270Mbps vs 54Mbps), G is the older technology, and is also more compatible.

The technology called "N" is actually more accurately "Pre-N." The standard (802.11N) has not been ratified by the Wi-Fi alliance. It may undergo further changes before it is official. This is not particularly significant but is notable since it is rarely mentioned.

If you purchase a 802.11N router, both 802.11N and 802.11B/G devices will function with the router. A 802.11N card will also function on an 802.11G router. They were careful to ensure compatibility, but the real differences are speed and (possibly) range. Since N routers are MIMO (Multiple in, multiple out), meaning there are several antennas, the range is theoretically longer than older technologies. This is not always true in practice.

Both types of routers/cards will serve your purpose. However, using a wireless N router with G clients will probably defeat the purpose of the N router. As for internet speed, I don't know of any DSL which gets 100Mbps, but I will take your word for it. If it does get 100Mbps, then you will only get the full speed with a wireless N router and card.