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    Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N mode

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by BlukSki, Aug 15, 2007.

  1. BlukSki

    BlukSki Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am posting this as it may help others who are looking to make use of N mode on the Intel 4965AGN wireless adapters. My T61 has one installed, and here are some things you should know:

    1. 801.11n mode will not work unless you disable security entirely or use AES encryption. This means all your wireless devices must support AES with WPA-PSK. Or no security at all.

    2. Supposedly, the 4965AGN will work with Wireless-N access points that have the "Connect with Intel Centrino" label. There are not many Wireless-N access points carrying that label on retailers shelves, and of course Intel does not provide a list of compatible access points either (thanks for nothing).

    3. I did a speed test comparison between a Linksys WRK54G and a Buffalo Wireless-N Nfiniti model WZR2-G300N. The download speed was approximately double that of the WRK54G - 8500 kbps on a Comcast cable setup.
     
  2. wisdom

    wisdom Notebook Consultant

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    N works out of the box with my new t61p connected to the new Belkin N1 Vision wireless router. 100+Mbps. Cool stuff.
     
  3. mojoRT

    mojoRT Notebook Geek

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    Thanks for this very helpful information. I'm getting my T61 soon which will come with a 4965AGN card. I was thinking of pairing it up with a Linksys WRT150N router. However, just recently I bought a WRT54G (rev. 8) and I'm wondering whether it's worth while to upgrade to these draft-n routers. You get an increase in speed, that's good - can you comment about range/signal?

    What was the model of your Wireless N router you tested with?
     
  4. georule

    georule Notebook Guru

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    Personally, I'm waiting for d-link DIR-855 router. You really want a dual-band (2.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz) router for maximum compatibility in a mixed environment (2.4Ghz) while maintaining maximum speed for 802.11n (which likely requires 5.8Ghz for channel bonding because of interference and limited channel availability in 2.4Ghz band). I think it's that "mixed" environment of n and a/b/g that the original post is referencing.
     
  5. newskin

    newskin Notebook Geek

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    I would recommend sticking with your wrt54g. I just went back to a wrt54gl after trying a dlink and a belkin router. They both blew and a wrt54gl with ddwrt is still the best router I have ever used. Could have just been bad luck on my part, but most people just need the wireless to get online so why do you need all that speed right now? Just wait for N to get finalized so you are not paying to test beta hardware.
     
  6. mojoRT

    mojoRT Notebook Geek

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    Is "Draft-N" considered beta? From what I've read, all it doesn't have is some kind of certification from a certain organization. I guess it's not official yet, so it's somewhat beta.

    I recall reading that Pre-N routers provided more thoroughput than Draft-N routers - but Pre-N had compatibility issues which were somewhat resolved with Draft-N.

    I want to go Draft-N more for the range/signal improvements it gives over G. I read reviews saying that you can get a signal from almost over 600 feet with Draft-N, and sometimes 1000 feet depending on the router and interference in your area. So, my assumption is that for ranges 600 feet and less, it'll be rock solid stable.

    I purchased a WRT54G a week ago for $50 CAD. This week, the WRT150N is onsale for ~$60. Personally, I would never have the intention of upgrading to N; but my T61 w/ 4965AGN is coming soon and ~$10 more for N, is it worth it?
     
  7. mcbrided

    mcbrided Notebook Consultant

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    From what I understand, pre-n is a 'possible' standard. It will most likely be firmware upgradable when the standard is chosen...though that isnt a given.
     
  8. mojoRT

    mojoRT Notebook Geek

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    Wait now I remember. Pre-N isn't even "N"... right?
     
  9. SkyzerFizer

    SkyzerFizer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Draft-N isn't N. Pre-N isn't either, but only Pre-N can be upgraded by firmware to the "official" N when it's released. Draft-N was essentially a trial/beta to see if N would prove to be a proper wireless standard, and Pre-N is N hardware with the trial software/firmware. Or so I believe... lol
     
  10. georule

    georule Notebook Guru

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    My understanding is that "Pre-N" doesn't have an official meaning. Could mean whatever the vendor wants it to mean. Draft N should be either Draft 1.0 or Draft 2.0. Draft 2.0 is nearly a dead certainty to be firmware compatible with the final standard. Draft 1.0, from what I read by experts, *should* be upgradeable, but the vendor has to take the time and effort to do so. We should see a whole bunch of N activity with new routers this quarter. In my book, it's already a few months later than I was expecting (i.e. Fall vs Summer).

    But then last year I was expecting to get my way cool Santa Rosa notebook with all the goodies (including built-in 802.11n) in April or May of this year, and here it is nearly September and I'm still waiting for my T61p to arrive!
     
  11. BL3SSED1

    BL3SSED1 Newbie

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    Hi Guys, I have a Gateway M-6817 laptop with the Intel 4965AGN wireless chip with a Netgear WNR854T. It works well with this router because it has the security options for WPA-PSK [TKIP] + WPA2-PSK [AES]. I'm assuming that when Windows reports the speed for my wireless connection is 144Mbps it's working in Wireless-N mode. It also support my Linksys WGA54G Game adpater. Thanks Blukski for posting this info...
     
  12. sbkim

    sbkim Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have 4965AGN on my X61s and works perfectly with DLink 655 - connects at 100+Mbps using WPA PSK.
     
  13. Paekgom

    Paekgom Newbie

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    1. 801.11n mode will not work unless you disable security entirely or use AES encryption. This means all your wireless devices must support AES with WPA-PSK. Or no security at all.

    At first thanks you a lot for this Information. I just couldn't figure it out, why I cannot connect to my new Linksys WRT150N Router over the highspeed N Standard.

    Now I changed the encryption to AES with WPA-PSK and it works. I hope some older devices will be still able to connect...
     
  14. miro_gt

    miro_gt Notebook Deity

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    great info, thanks
     
  15. cave

    cave Newbie

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    Thanks for the info, just bought the linksys WRT150N.
    After changing the setting i had speed up to 130Mbps.