( 
)
I recently sold a D-Link AirPlus eXtreme wireless router and described it as an 802.11g (54Mbps) compliant router. This means that the Wi-Fi connection has been certified as meeting the IEEE 802.11g standard which is for 54Mbps. I got a number of eBayers asking me why I wasn't describing it as a 108Mbps router because that's how the D-Link website described this product. I'm writing this guide to explain what the D-Link 108Mbps Wi-Fi really means. This also applies to any manufacturer that makes a 108Mbps router.
Please take a few moments to vote YES for this guide. I spend a lot of time researching and writing my guides.
Personally, I describe these 108Mbps routers as 802.11g compliant and state the 54Mbps transfer rate because that's the Wi-Fi speed that any user can achieve. Most buyers think that if they purchase this class of router that they are getting a super-fast router. As a potential buyer, you need to be aware that you'll only get the faster data rate if you use the corresponding wireless adapter. This goes the same for any other manufacturer that offers a 108Mbps wireless router. They are using proprietary technology and you have to purchase the manufacturers wireless router and adapter to achieve the higher speed.
Because these wireless routers are 802.11g certified, they will work with any 802.11b or g wireless adapter. You'll just get the standard Wi-Fi certified data rates of 11Mbps or 54Mbps with other wireless adapters. There has been some anecdotal reports that these eXtreme G WireLess routers have better signal range than standard 802.11g routers. I haven't used one of these routers long enough to form an opinion of improved signal range. If you've got any thoughts on the improved range, feel free to contact me.
The next generation of wireless devices will be using 802.11n standard. This standard is expected to provide data transfer rates in the neighborhood of 540Mbps and provide greater range than current 802.11b & g devices. IEEE is currently working to establish the 802.11n standard. The 802.11n standard is currently available to industry in draft form, and is expected to be ready for approval around mid-2007. If you really want to get a faster wireless networking capability, look for 802.11n wireless devices. There are some manufacturers selling pre-802.11n wireless devices. Be aware that these devices are being manufactured before the standard has been established, so if you purchase one these pre-802.11n devices, you'll probably have to install a software update once the standard has been established.
If you've found this guide to be useful, or entertaining, PLEASE VOTE on it at the bottom of this page. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any comments, suggestions or questions regarding this guide. I'm always interested in improving my guides.
Please take a few moments to vote YES for this guide. I spend a lot of time researching and writing my guides.
My only compensation is your VOTE on its helpfulness. Your VOTE will be greatly appreciated!
If you check the fine print on the D-Link site, you'll find out that it states you only get the 108Mbps data rate only if you use an AirPlus eXtreme enabled wireless adapter. If you use any other wireless adapter, you'll only get a maximum 54Mbps transfer rate. D-Link has developed proprietary technology that makes more efficient use of the Wi-Fi bandwidth and compression techniques to achieve the 108Mbps data rate. So while the router can achieve these higher data transfer rates, you can only realize the speed if you use both the D-Link AirPlus eXtreme enabled router and a D-Link AirPlus eXtreme enabled wireless adapter.
There is an exception to this rule that I thought I should point out. NetGear, D-Link and Intel all use the Atheros AR5002 chipset. If you have a NetGear or D-Link 108Mbps accelerated wireless router, and use it with an Atheros 108Mbps accelerated wireless adapter, you should be able to obtain the 108Mbps throughput. You will probably be able to achieve the 108Mbps throughput if you use any 108Mbps accelerated 802.11G wireless adapter with any 108Mbps accelerated wireless router, as long as both the router and adapter use the Atheros wireless chipset.
There is an exception to this rule that I thought I should point out. NetGear, D-Link and Intel all use the Atheros AR5002 chipset. If you have a NetGear or D-Link 108Mbps accelerated wireless router, and use it with an Atheros 108Mbps accelerated wireless adapter, you should be able to obtain the 108Mbps throughput. You will probably be able to achieve the 108Mbps throughput if you use any 108Mbps accelerated 802.11G wireless adapter with any 108Mbps accelerated wireless router, as long as both the router and adapter use the Atheros wireless chipset.
Personally, I describe these 108Mbps routers as 802.11g compliant and state the 54Mbps transfer rate because that's the Wi-Fi speed that any user can achieve. Most buyers think that if they purchase this class of router that they are getting a super-fast router. As a potential buyer, you need to be aware that you'll only get the faster data rate if you use the corresponding wireless adapter. This goes the same for any other manufacturer that offers a 108Mbps wireless router. They are using proprietary technology and you have to purchase the manufacturers wireless router and adapter to achieve the higher speed.
Because these wireless routers are 802.11g certified, they will work with any 802.11b or g wireless adapter. You'll just get the standard Wi-Fi certified data rates of 11Mbps or 54Mbps with other wireless adapters. There has been some anecdotal reports that these eXtreme G WireLess routers have better signal range than standard 802.11g routers. I haven't used one of these routers long enough to form an opinion of improved signal range. If you've got any thoughts on the improved range, feel free to contact me.
The next generation of wireless devices will be using 802.11n standard. This standard is expected to provide data transfer rates in the neighborhood of 540Mbps and provide greater range than current 802.11b & g devices. IEEE is currently working to establish the 802.11n standard. The 802.11n standard is currently available to industry in draft form, and is expected to be ready for approval around mid-2007. If you really want to get a faster wireless networking capability, look for 802.11n wireless devices. There are some manufacturers selling pre-802.11n wireless devices. Be aware that these devices are being manufactured before the standard has been established, so if you purchase one these pre-802.11n devices, you'll probably have to install a software update once the standard has been established.
If you've found this guide to be useful, or entertaining, PLEASE VOTE on it at the bottom of this page. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any comments, suggestions or questions regarding this guide. I'm always interested in improving my guides.
Guide created: 08/07/06 (updated 07/05/08)
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 
