how can I bring my wireless G iMac up to speed with the rest of my N network?

[M. Malone]

Hello,

I have the first generation intel iMac which supports wireless G.

Recently, I added 2 laptops and Time capsule to the network. All three devices support wireless N.

The iMac has the largest hard drive of all machines and I use it as a server, files are always coming in and out of the iMac. But it's not as fast as when I transfer files between the wireless N machines. Clearly the Wireless G imac is killing the fun I can have with wireless N. and especially that the wireless G device acts like an intersection for all my devices.

What suggestions does anyone have in making my iMac stay to speed with the rest? I understand the built in ethernet 100 isn't as fast os wireless N either.

thanks

 

[M. Malone]

can someone confirm this.

The first Intel iMacs, did they come with gigabit ethernet or the regular 100 mbps.

If they indeed support gigabit ethernet, then I think simply getting an airport express wireless N and connect it to the network and connect the iMac into it via ethernet would work? is that all there is to it?

would it still be as smooth as having the iMac directly connected to the router?

thanks

 

[phifer8390]

Hello,

I have the first generation intel iMac which supports wireless G.

Recently, I added 2 laptops and Time capsule to the network. All three devices support wireless N.

The iMac has the largest hard drive of all machines and I use it as a server, files are always coming in and out of the iMac. But it's not as fast as when I transfer files between the wireless N machines. Clearly the Wireless G imac is killing the fun I can have with wireless N. and especially that the wireless G device acts like an intersection for all my devices.

What suggestions does anyone have in making my iMac stay to speed with the rest? I understand the built in ethernet 100 isn't as fast os wireless N either.

thanks

Is your iMac compatable with this?
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D4141ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDAzOA&mco=NjUyMTE1#overview

Lots of newer macs have wireless N capabilites but they are disabled by software.

 

[phifer8390]

On another note. If you have mixed wireless N and wireless G items on the same network then you are not seeing the capable wireless N speeds. When you mix these items it slows down your entire network to the slowest item connected. Therefore even when using the wireless N equipment it is still only working at wireless G speeds unless the iMac is not connected or if by chance you have an expensive wireless router that has dual band.

 

[M. Malone]

Is your iMac compatable with this?
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D4141ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDAzOA&mco=NjUyMTE1#overview

Lots of newer macs have wireless N capabilites but they are disabled by software.

unfortunately I have the model right before, but thank you.


Also, I did hear about having one device that is G would slow the network down, I do plan on disabling wifi on the iMac and plugging it into ethernet.

But when I think about it, what about my iPhone? it uses wireless G, so will it slow my entire network to G speeds when I connect it to the network?

 

[Mr9758]

I think his point was that a network is only as fast as it's weakest link. If you're using an iMac running wireless G to serve wireless N devices, it will only run at G speeds. However, if you're using an iPhone to access the internet through wireless G, it should not slow it down considerably.

 

[M. Malone]

I think his point was that a network is only as fast as it's weakest link. If you're using an iMac running wireless G to serve wireless N devices, it will only run at G speeds. However, if you're using an iPhone to access the internet through wireless G, it should not slow it down considerably.

thank you all for that, in that case, my iMac will definitely go through ethernet.

 

[leighonigar]

His point was that the router will have to switch to G. So yes, your iPhone would slow down the network for the rest of your devices.

 

[Eidorian]

http://macwireless.com/html/products/wireless_cards/11n_cards/11nUSB.php