Is a wireless network only as fast as its slowest link?

Is a wireless network only as fast as its slowest link? Or is it as slow as its slowest device connected to the network? I have a wireless 802.11n network and have one G4 running a 802.11b Airport card. Does that computer slow down the rest of the network?

I believe the "jury is still out" on how much impact vs. the number of non-"n" devices added to a "n" network will degrade it, but it still shouldn't reduce it to "g."
"n" upgrades are available, albeit they are fairly costly. One vendor is QuickerTek
A somewhat less costly path would be to utilize a second wireless router with 802.11g capability, and then, set up a "Dual Mode" network with your 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn). In this configuration, you can run the AEBSn in pure 802.11n, either at 2.4 or 5 GHz, and use the other router for your "g" devices with all devices still being on the same network.

Similar Messages

Out of the blue, my ITouch is unable to access my wireless network ONLY when my PC has been turned on (PC is connected via Ethernet cable, and has no wireless capability as far as I know). What gives? It works fine when the PC is off.

Out of the blue, my ITouch is unable to access my wireless network ONLY when my PC is on (the PC is connected via Ethernet cable, and has no wireless capabilities that I know of). What gives? When the PC is turned off, everything is totally fine. I\m stumped.

Does the iOS device connect to other networks?
Does the iOS device see the network?
Any error messages?
Do other devices now connect?
Did the iOS device connect before?
Try the following to rule out a software problem:
- Reset the iOS device. Nothing will be lost
Reset iOS device: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Power off and then back on your router
.- Reset network settings: Settings>General>Reset>Reset Network Settings
- iOS: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections
- Wi-Fi: Unable to connect to an 802.11n Wi-Fi network
I suspect a problem with your router. Try changing the security. First use no security as a test.
- iOS: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points
- Restore from backup. See:
iOS: How to back up
- Restore to factory settings/new iOS device.
If still problem and it does not connect to any networks make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store since it appears you have a hardware problem.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

We bought a time capsule then the wifi has a problem since it does not identify the existing wireless network and it says that its need to have an update firmware. The existing firmware is 7.3.1, does it have an newest update firmware existing now?

We bought a time capsule, 1TB, then the wifi has a problem since it does not identify the existing wireless network and it says that its need to have an update firmware. The existing firmware is 7.3.1, does it have an newest update firmware existing now? Does APPLE do not provide latest firmware for this item?

How old is that Time Capsule? The fact that it still have firmware 7.3.1 suggests that it's not the latest model. The latest firmware available for my two-year-old model is version 7.5.2. Apple does provide firmware updates. You just have to let the Time Capsule download and install them. Use AirPort Utility to do that.
Regarding your Wi-Fi problem, please explain what you mean by "it does not identify the existing wireless network".
By the way, you've been misled by poor field labeling on this forum into typing a large part of your message into the field intended for the subject. In the future just type a short summary of your post into that field and type the whole message into the field below that.

Wireless network only visible on Mac but not PC

Hi all,
I replaced my Linksys router with an Airport Extreme.
I configured a wireless network and I can see the wireless network on my MacBook Pro. However, while my PC's can still see the old Linksys wireless network, they don't pick up the wireless network of the Airport Extreme.
Has anybody had the same issue? Any ideas?
Thanks!
-Bernd

No, I'm running in 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible) mode.
The firmware version is 7.0.
Do you have another suggestion?
Thanks again,
-Bernd

Question about how wireless networks work

Hello,
This is more of a general question rather than one that is specific to the airport. I have a network with an Airport Express with wireless n, a Macbook Pro with a wireless n card, and a printer that has a wireless g card. Someone told me that because I have a wireless g device on my network that I will never get wireless n speeds even when using my computer to do things besides printing because the network is only as fast as its slowest device. Based on this, if there is a computer on my network that has a wireless g card then everyone on the network can only get wireless g speeds even if the others have wireless n cards.
It was always my understanding that I could not get n speeds when using the printer but I thought that if I were using my computer to connect to the internet, download, upload, etc. (things that have nothing to do with printing and don't require the printer) then I should be able to get wireless n speeds.
I was wondering if someone could explain how wireless networks work. Thanks in advance.

The simple answer is that having 802.11g (i.e. 54 Mbit/s) clients on an 802.11n network will NOT slow down the 802.11n clients.
However, 802.11g works only in the 2.4 GHz band, whereas 802.11n also works in the 5 GHz band, which is potentially much faster. So if you require compatibility with g devices on an AirPort Express, it decreases the potential maximum speed of the n devices, because you have to operate in the 2.4 GHz band. But this slowdown occurs whether or not g devices are actually connected to the network.

Best way to have internet only wireless network

Our current way of configuration for this is standalone ap's with multiple ssid's. The main network ssid's are on the 10.0.0.0 networks. The internet only ssid is on the 192.168.1.0 network. ( this is a wireless network only,no wired) They all get there dhcp address from a layer 3 switch. To prevent the wireless 192.168.1.0 intenet only network from getting to the 10.0.0.0 networks, we just put a simple source & destination deny acl on the in vlan interface of the 192.168.1.0 network on the layer 3 switch.
Now that we are impementing a Cisco 2504 controller, the management and ap manger are both on the 10.0.0.0 network.( both on port 1 with dynamic ap manager enabled) I can setup as many ssid's on the 10.0.0.0 network and they all work fine. But when I setup the 192.168.1.0 internet only ssid it will not connect. I'm assuming that its because the 192.168.1.0 network or anyone trying to connect and use that network has to go through the controller located on the 10.0.0.0 network. I'm thinking that the acl on the vlan interafce is the problem.
Please correct me if i'm wrong here on any of the above thinking. So, if I'm correct, what is the best way to setup a separate internet only network through the private networks? I'd appreciate any advice on this subject as I'm new to the lan controller way of doing things.
Thanks

So it should be working, you may need to disable proxy on the WLC. Controller > Advanced > DCHP and uncheck the proxy box.
If you do this, you need to make sure you have ip helper-address configured under the L3 interfaces
HTH,
Steve
Please remember to rate useful posts, and mark questions as answered

I'm suddenly getting the kernel panic message and constant restarts when connected to the time machine wireless network. if is switch to the BT network, all fine. no help found so far as to what's wrong or how to correct, anyone have any thoughts...

Recently upgraded to mountain lion in order to buy the new tall tower for time machine backups. had to get technical support to help with set up as it wouldn't play ball with two computers. all working fine up until last week when the iMac started getting backup error messages. then system restarts independently when using time machine on the time machine wireless network. only stops restarting when I switch the wireless network back to he bt one, which is a pain obviously as can't back up to time machine then. it has to be a problem with airport utility or something wireless but all says all up to date with software etc. all still works fine backing up from laptop on the wireless network, just the iMac is not happy. any help or thoughts very much appreciated.

Hi, many thanks Bob, what you say is not unthinkable at all, although it does answer the question
"what could I do *instead* of ..." rather than the one I actually asked, but seriously ...
Shutting down might be an answer, although it would clear out my tmp directory - which I might not want to have to sort through looking for things I want to save every time I go to work, and also, now that nvram doesn't seem to work for disabling the boot chime, it can get a bit embarassing booting up in a busy meeting if I have forgotten to mute before I shut down. There are all sorts of other issues, such as editing documents, loading web pages and so on that I would have to set up again.
Your suggestion of letting Apple know is a good one - thank you for the link.
Take care,
Mark

Wireless Network - can't connect!!

Lenovo N 3000 running Windows Vista Business
Product 0769A64
I can't connect to wireless internet. Am at the end of my tether and hope it's something simple!
This is what's happening so far...
Using Access Connections, I can use the wireless radio to find the network I want. It's a public wireless connection (in a library). It has signal strength of 60%. This has been more than fine for me in the past. Everyone else is using it so why can't I!?!?!
When I try to connect through Access Connections, I get the following message:
Unable to connect to the selected wireless network. You may need to configure your system to support the authentication method that is in use. Do you want to configure now?
I click Yes, (don't really know what I'm doing at this point so just OK out of that window)
Then it tries to connect. It then goes through Applying wireless settings - OK, then when it says 'waiting for association, it fails.
If I connect through networks, I can connect to the local network only, but not the internet.
What I've tried to fix it (don't even know if any of this is relevant...):
Made sure it's automatically setting IP address.
Switched off Windows Firewall
Boot in safe mode.
Checked the network adapter and it is working properly and has up to date drivers.
In Control Panel- Network connections, under Wireless Network Connections, I've disabled/enabled TCP/IPv6 and TCP/IPv4 in various combinations.
Thought I may as well let the cat have a go at fixing it after all that lot.
Run command prompt as administrator.
ipconfig /release shows: No operation can be performed on Wireless Network connection while
it has its media disconnected
ipconfig /all shows:
Host Name..............Default-PC
Primary Dns Suffix.....:
Node type..............Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled.....No
WINS Proxy Enabled.....No
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection
Media State............Media Disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix..:
Description............Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Physical Address.......:00-1B-38-0c-25-E2
Autoconfiguration Enabled....Yes
Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:
Media State............Media Disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix...:
Description............isatap.(453E23F5-D966-4B89-B53C-A4E3D9CF0071)
DCHP enabled...........Yes
Autoconfiguration enabled...Yes
Then a load of stuff about Tunnel adapters - *6, *7 and *9 are discomnnected. Apparently.
Tried to run PC Doctor on the network card and it passed the following tests:
PCI Express Status Test
Wireless Connectivity Test
Wireless signal Strength Test
Network Link Test
But it couldn't run the :
TCP/IP Network Communication Test
Any help at all would be incredibly gratefully received!!
Thanks, Claire.

I just purchased a Thinkpad from Lenovo with the Intel 5100 AGN wireless card in it. I kept losing my connection to the Internet. I searched on the web for a solution and tried a number of the suggestions, one of which solved one problem (access connections was turning off the wireless radio during inactivity to "save power"), but the problems persisted, even after I let Windows manage the connections.
The first symptom I noticed was that Windows could not find any networks. The next one I noticed was that the signal strength would drop very low. I even saw that when the laptop was 2 feet away from the router.
I finally came to the point where I was suspecting the Intel 5100 AGN itself. I have 2 other computers that use my wireless router and they have no problems, and people have come over with laptops and have not had any problems.
The router I have is D-Link Di-624 Xtreme-G. It seems to work just fine. I reconfigured the router to not use its Super-G mode. That appears to have eliminated the problem. It is still too early to be sure since the problem is intermittent, but it has stayed connected for a day now (whereas I used to lose the connection frequently in any given day).
I can't say for sure if the problem is with the 5100 AGN card, but I suspect it is. Given that I have never had this kind of problem with other computers (with varying cards) but only with this new one, the culprit seems to be the Intel 5100 AGN.
There are a lot of posts on the web about this very problem and no one seems to have found the answer.
I may have fixed the problem within my home by reconfiguring the router, but I can't do that for other routers (eg in a coffee shop). Other people have "solved" the problem by buying a new router (an expensive solution). The real fix has to be in the 5100 AGN itself, either a better driver (I have the latest version 12.1.0.14), or some card configuration (or else somehow replace it with a better wireless card).

"could not scan for wireless networks" iphone6 or iOS 8?

new iPhone 6 with iOS 8. Wifi works fine for a few hours and then drops. The wifi connect screen sits there spinning and if I attempt a manual connecation I get the message:
"could not scan for wireless networks"
Only solution so far has been rebooting.
No issues with older devices and iOS 8. Just the iPhone 6.
As this issue seems to come out every time Apple release new hardware I am hoping it's just a bug that will be squashed and as such wanted to bring it up on the forums. Will also report to support.

Hi Uncle Ook,
From what I've read, other iPhone 6 users have experience this issue too. I've read that by doing these steps it may help resolve your issue:
Open Settings
General
Reset
Reset Network Settings
Enter your Passcode if prompted
Tap Reset Network Settings
What this will do is reset your network settings. By doing this we'll reset any issues to default settings that'll help fix your issue by setting the network settings to default settings.
You'll see a series of different screens. This is normal. Just wait until it's completely done. You'll know when it's done when it takes you to the lock screen. You'll need to unlock your iPhone after that and try reconnecting to your wireless network that you were attempting to join. I'm not sure however that these steps will help permanently or temporarily, but I'm sure Apple will fix this issue within the next update that comes out. I hope this helps, and if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Extending wireless network many times – works with limitations (why?)

Hi all! I want to extend wireless network in big 2 floor house without ethernet cables. My current setup is attached in picture file.
Time Capsule – connected directly to Internet.
TimeCaps-Front – this is AirPort Express configured to extend network from Time Capsule.
TimeCaps-Back – this is AirPort Express configured to Bridge mode (it accepts local network via ethernet cable plugged to its WAN) and this AirPort creates new network with the same name and password as Time Capsule do.
2nd-floor-main – this is AirPort Express configured to extend the network from TimeCaps-Back (NOT from Time Capsule because 2nd extension doesn't work).
This setup is WORKS (unbelievable)!!!
But when Time Capsule is rebooted, any client can't connect to any base station, even to Time Capsule (error - connection timed out). For this solution work, it needed to reboot each device individually each after previous… Also I noticed, if after Time Capsule reboot, turn off "TimeCaps-Back" we can again connect our wireless clients to Time Capsule.
So the question is – how to optimize (if possible) this setup?

It sounds a bit corny to say that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, but it remains a valid concept. In your case, the weakest link is the wireless connection between the Time Capsule and AirPort Express.
The reason for this is that an extending device can only extend the quality of signal or bandwidth that it receives. So, the stronger the connection at this point in the network, the better the whole network will perform in terms of speed and stabiity. At least half of your entire network depends on a single wireless connection between the Time Capsule and the AirPort Express.
If things are working fine, there may be no need to check further. If you want to be a bit more scientific, then you can use a good utility like WiFi Explorer to examine the Signal to Noise (SNR) at various points on the network.
In that regard, I would first measure the SNR of the Time Capsule signal at the location of the first Express to make sure that it was acceptable and even experiment if possible by moving the Express closer to the Time Caspule or minimimizing any obstructions that might be limiting the SNR at this point.
The wireless connection between the Time Capsule and AirPort Express supports the other half of the entire network, so any weakness at this link in terms of bandwidth will be passed down to the other devices on the network.

HT1178 trying to make time capsule connect to a wireless network. How?

Hi! New mba, new time capsule. Trying to connect tc to existing wireless network. Can't find 'manual setup' or 'join wireless network', only 'extend wireless network', which results in the tc disappearing from my list of networks altogether. Help!

A TC is really not designed to join a wireless network and it is a really poor way to run it. It has always been a hidden option.. and now it is even harder to find.
For manual setup it is much easier to simply install 5.6 utility and then you can find and use TC any way you want. But please note the speed will be extraordinarily slow.. all packets will have to travel via the main router that supplies wifi.. to the TC.. you will lose all direct connection.
How to load 5.6 into ML.
1. Download 5.6 for Lion.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Click to open the dmg but do not attempt to install the pkg.. it won't work anyway.
2. Download and install unpkg.
http://www.timdoug.com/unpkg/
Run unpkg on the desktop.. it is very simple.. drag the AirPortUtility56.pkg file over to unpkg.. and it will create a new directory of the same name on the desktop.. drill down.. applications utilities .. there lo and behold is Airport utility 5.6 .. drag it to your main utilities directory or just run it from current location.
You cannot uninstall 6.1 (now 6.2 if you updated) so don't try.. and you cannot or should not run them both at the same time.. so just ignore the toyland version.. the plastic hammer.. and start using 5.6.. a real tool.
For screen shots see this post.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4668746?tstart=0

Problems connecting to wireless network

I'm visiting my parents at the moment and the perennial issue of connecting to their wireless network has once again reared its ugly head. My wireless network adapter is working, I received a strong signal and I have the correct password, but for whatever reason, I still can't connect.
I've tried resetting my IP address. I've tried manually entering my IP address, the MAC address and the DNS server and then switching all of them back to automatic-detect. I've run trouble-shooting wizards and restarting my computer more times than I can count, but I still can't connect. Thoughts, suggestions, tips? I'll try just about anything at this point. Thanks!

Are you sure that their wireless router is compatible with your laptop? IE your laptop might be 802.11N, the router might only support G...
If you like my post, or solution to your issue/question, go ahead and click on the little star by my name and/or accept the post as the Solution. It makes me happy.
I'm NOT an employee of Best Buy, or Geek Squad, though I did work as an Agent for a year 5 years ago. None of my posts are to be taken as the official stance that Best Buy will take on your situation. My advice is just that, advice.
Unfortunately, that's the bad luck of any electronic, there's going to be bad Apples... wait that's a horrible pun.

What is the best way to extend a Wireless network?

Hi,
We have 3 devices,
1) Our Primary Network Router (which creates our office Network and has DHCP enabled).
2) We have and Airport Extreme, which is used to create our Wireless Network (THIS IS SET TO “Create Wireless Network”), it has DHCP Enabled, its DHCP IP Scheme is set to 192.168.2.x, where the IP Scheme of our Primary Network is set to 192.168.181.x.
3) We have an Airport Express that we are trying to use to EXTEND our Wireless Network.
The most important thing we are trying to accomplish is to isolate the Wireless Network from our Primary Network, so Wireless Clients can access the Internet, but CAN’T SEE or ACCESS the Shared Network Volumes AVAILABLE ON THE PRIMARY NETWORK.
At the moment, the Wireless Clients can access the Internet and receive an IP in the range of 192.168.2.x from the DHCP Server in the Airport Extreme. That part of it is working, but the Wireless Clients can unfortunately still SEE and ACCESS the Network Volumes available on the Primary Network. WHICH IS NOT WHAT WE WANT!!
Question 1: How can we have the Airport Create a separate Network, so the Wireless Clients CAN’T SEE or ACCESS the Network Volumes from the Primary Network, but can still get access to the Internet through the Primary Network?
Question 2: What is the best way to use the Airport Express to “EXTEND” the Airport Extreme’s Wireless Network? I have tried WDS “Main” for Extreme and WDS “Remote” for Express, but all that doesn’t allow you to use the Extreme to Create a Separate Network, it uses the DHCP Server built into the Primary Network’s Router. Also tried to set the Express to “EXTEND WIRELESS NETWORK”, which seems to work, but I am not sure why. Because I don’t have a cable from the Extreme to the Express, which is sounds like you have to when it is setup that way!!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks
Kalagan

Question 1: How can we have the Airport Create a separate Network, so the Wireless Clients CAN’T SEE or ACCESS the Network Volumes from the Primary Network, but can still get access to the Internet through the Primary Network?
There is no way to do this. Any of the wireless clients of the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) can see any device connected to the AEBS's WAN port. Clients of a subnet can see anything on the supernet.
You could configure you network like this:
Internet-> (WAN) AEBS (LAN) -> Primary router
As long as the Primary router was providing DHCP/NAT the things on the LAN side of the Primary router would be hidden from the AEBS clients.
A better solution may be to have 2 completely separate networks OR invest in some type of network security firewall device to actively isolate your Primary network.
Question 2: What is the best way to use the Airport Express to “EXTEND” the Airport Extreme’s Wireless Network? I have tried WDS “Main” for Extreme and WDS “Remote” for Express, but all that doesn’t allow you to use the Extreme to Create a Separate Network, it uses the DHCP Server built into the Primary Network’s Router. Also tried to set the Express to “EXTEND WIRELESS NETWORK”, which seems to work, but I am not sure why. Because I don’t have a cable from the Extreme to the Express, which is sounds like you have to when it is setup that way!!
WDS is 802.11g's method of wirelessly extending a network.
"Extend wireless network" is 802.11n's method of wirelessly extending a network.
Neither of them require the AirPort Express (AX) to be cabled to the AEBS.

Can't connect to wireless network

I have a wireless set-up that I've been able to connect to the past, but now I can't. Number 3 port light is on, as well as wireless, internet and power. No light on above the WI-FI protected set-up button.

The port 3 light is lit up on your router so I think there must be a computer connected to the router with the Ethernet cable. Open the Internet browser on that computer and in the address bar type the number ' 192.168.1.1 '. Log in to the router setup page with the default admin password, leave the user name blank. Go to the wireless tab and check the wireless settings. Just under the wireless tab you will find the wireless security sub tab. Check the type of security and password of the wireless network.
Now try to connect to the wireless network on the laptop. Follow this link to connect to the wireless network.

HP Officejet Pro 8600 - Trying to connect to wrong wireless network.

I have cable wireless and due to provider requirements I have had to disable my hub wireless and plus in another router to the hub to provide wireless. The hub has a network name and the router has the same name but shows a "2" after it. When I try and connect my printer to this itonly picks up the Hub and says wireless is disabled which is correct. How can I get it to recognise the router instead?
I hope this makes sense

Hi Pushoz,
Please let me take a moment to say "Welcome Back" to the HP Forums. I see that it has been awhile since your last visit.
To help you get the most out of the HP Forums I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More.
I see that you are having some issue with connecting your printer to your wireless network.
Here is a document that will assist you with this issue and explain in detail how to connect over the wireless network.
Please click on the following link's for Installing the Printer Software on a Wireless or Wired (Ethernet) Network and for
Connecting the Printer After Changing Your Wireless Network.
Please write me back if you have any other questions.
I hope you have a great day and if I don't hear back from you today, I hope you have an excellent weekend.
Cheers,
Click the “Kudos Thumbs Up" at the bottom of this post to say “Thanks” for helping!
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
W a t e r b o y 71
I work on behalf of HP

Is a wireless network only as fast as its slowest link?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for