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by Anonymous on August 10th, 2009
One a wireless 802.11G connection, you will never get more than 54Mbps even if your ISP provides you with a 100Mb/s line. Using a category 5 or category 6 Ethernet cable, the minimum you can expect these days is 100Mbps.
If your computer has a gigabit Ethernet port and your router supports gigabit Ethernet then you have the capability of taking advantage of a internet speeds greater than 100Mbps provided your ISP gives you that much bandwidth.
E.G. If your ISP provides you with a 200Mbps line and your computer has a 100mbps wired Ethernet port, your download speed will not exceed 100mbps unless you upgrade your router and computer to gigabit. If you on a wireless 802.11G (54mbps) then don't expect any more than 54mbps despite the fact that you are paying your ISP for a 200Mbps connection.
Another important thing to take note is that most consumer grade routers that feature gigabit switches but a 100mbps wan port (modem connection). This allows for fast file sharing between computers in your home but can be limiting for those on a super duper ISP, however such super duper ISPs are rare for home use and nearly hypothetical at this moment in time, so for the time being 100mbps wan port will have 10x more bandwidth than the most common internet connections provide.
One more thing: General rule of thumb for all types of connections (network and otherwise): if you have two connections wired and wireless, both being 100mbps; THE WIRED CONNECTION WILL ALWAYS BE MUCH FASTER, especially if it's not connected using something usb.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on August 10th, 2009
It depends on the modem.
However, I know of few ISPs that offer better bandwidth than the 54Mbps limit of 802.11g. Accordingly, your router and modem are probably not the bottle-neck.
Try flooring a Bugatti Veyron in the boonies. All that horsepower means nothing if the roads don't allow you to use it. You aren't going to hit 242 MPH on a twisty dirt road.
As for whether it can still be used for a wired connection, that also depends. Can you plug a CAT5 cable into the back of it?
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You're reading Can a wireless modem be used for wired broadband connection? Also, would the wireless speed cap of 54Mbps still be applicable if wired or will speed capability increase to max 100Mbps?
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Comments
It's a 802.11g/b wireless and we're tossing up whether to use it as a wired modem, or whether we should go out and get a Wireless USB Network Adapter as our current computer doesnt have wireless capabilities at the present. We also have a wired D-Link DSL502T ADSL modem and we're just trying to figure out which one to use. We've been on dial up for ever and had both modems given to us this week.
Thanks for that info :) More food for thought!
by SilentPurr on August 10th, 2009
USB network adapters (modems, wifi, wired, etc) should be devices of last resort. Cardbus, PCMCIA, PCI-e (pci express), or PCI (mini-pci for laptops) should be your first choice since they offer lower latency, better bandwidth efficiency, lower CPU usage (most/many have their own processor), and these devices have direct access to the CPU and system memory where as USB cannot do any this and is much slower (lag) and puts higher demand on the cpu (pentium chip).
by Anonymous on August 11th, 2009
Help me answer your question better by telling me what kind of computers (laptop, desktop, netbook, ps3, xbox, etc) you have. Brand and model would be very helpful.
by Anonymous on August 11th, 2009
Just the one desktop computer (so no real need for wireless, until daughter buys a laptop shortly). The computer is nowhere new but doing it's job for us well and were not up for replacement at this stage. It's a HP Pavilion 510a (got it in 2002). It's "broadband ready" with " Integrated 10/100 Base T network interface". No wireless network card hence wondering about the USB adapter as we're trying to keep costs at a minimum.
Been on dial up since purchase and was given two modems this week. One's a wired D-Link 502T ADSL modem, the other a Thomson Wireless TG 585v7 ADSL2+. (ADSL2 not available in my area for another year)
by SilentPurr on August 11th, 2009
According to the specs from HP, you have 2 free PCI slots. One of those could easily be occupied by a CISCO wireless PCI adapter. When going wireless, be mindful of distance. The further away you get from your router and/or the more walls the signal must pass through, the slower your connection gets. On an 802.11G network You will get about 50mbps sitting with in a few feet of the router and the speed diminished from there.
.
So if your PC is more than say 100 feet and a 2 or 3 rooms/walls away from the router, then your best bet may be to consider running (up to 100 meters/330 feet) categoty 5e or category 6 wires through your walls.
by Anonymous on August 11th, 2009
Don't confuse it with the Linksys by cisco pci adapters, they are not the same or not nearly as good.
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/wireless/ps6442/ps4555/ps5819/product_data_sheet09186a00801ebc33.html
by Anonymous on August 11th, 2009
Model Number: AIR-PI21AG-A-K9
by Anonymous on August 11th, 2009
Here's the handy specs sheet for your computer.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=bph07060#
by Anonymous on August 11th, 2009
Thanks so much for the wealth of info there Anon :)
Have noted it duly and bookmarked it for future reference.
by SilentPurr on August 11th, 2009
I've noticed the age of your computer vs the cost of networking gear. With laptop prices being so cheap now, it could be more adventagious to get a new desktop/laptop. HP has a few models that sell for $350-400. Wal-mart is in talks with dell and hp to sell a basic $299 computer. With the release of Windows 7 coming this October and vista to be phased out like it never happened, Should you decide to take the short leap, November-December looks like a good time to shop for a new computer; as you will get the newer Windows OS and possibly score a good holiday deal (a down economy could even push manufactures to sell lower to stimulate sales)
by Anonymous on August 12th, 2009