mixed G and N networks?

I have an existing G network and devices that are only a/b/g capable, but I'm looking to put in an N network. I've read that if you put N into compatability mode you get significant performance reductions. can I run both a 5GHz N signal from a new router and the 2.4GHz G signal from my existing G router without problems? both would be acting as AP/switches, as my main gateway/firewall/DHCP is another device.

Hopefully so, as the N device would be on the edge of an existing gigabit ethernet network, and I would like to eliminate as many bottlenecks as possible.

 

Are you cascading the routers?

 

not sure of the term, have a definition? they would have different SSIDs. one for N devices and another for G devices.

currently the G wireless router is set up simply as an AP/switch, so I would do the same with an N router, and connect the two via the LAN-side ethernet switch.

 

cascade:

modem --->router 1--------->router 2

router 2 is connected to router 1 Ethernet port.

 

then yes

rest of LAN > N router/AP > G router/AP

(each ">" representing a wired ethernet connection to the LAN side of each device)

 

The router connected to the modem should have DHCP and the other router should have an static IP address.

What is the application for this configuration?

 

ok, notice the "Rest of LAN" in my little diagram? there is an existing LAN with a gateway/firewall/DHCP appliance (a d-link DI-604) hooked to a netgear prosafe gigabit switch with ethernet runs to several rooms, and at the end of one of those runs is a d-link DI-524 wireless router with LAN DHCP disabled and acting as a wireless access point.

this setup works as intended without hiccups, but now I have a laptop with N capabilities I would like to take advantage of - and yes I realize this won't increase my internet download speeds, I want to move files around the LAN as quick as possible wirelessly. I have read that placing an N router into compatibility mode to work with both G/N decreases performance of the N devices, whereas running N exclusively allows for much greater speed.

so, if I place an N router into a similar configuration as the current G router, connect it to the switch in a similar fashion, then connect the G router to the N router through the N router's built-in switch. this would then allow me to run separate wireless signals for the N devices and G devices, allowing the N wireless devices to run at a greater speed.

so, after all that, will having the two signals operating at the same time (the two devices will probably be sitting literally next to one another,) will interference be an issue?

 

One router work in the 2GHz band and the other one in the 5GHz band, no chance for interference at all.

 

excellent, thanks

 

You welcome.

 

Yeah, Wirelessman is correct. I did exactly what you're talking about. I added an N wireless router in "N-only" mode alongside the G router for the rest of the devices. I connect my notebook (the only N device we have) to the N router and stream video to my notebook from my server. Everyone else connects to the G router and stays out of my way.