Will a 802.11b access point work with a 802.11G nic?

Will a 802.11b access point work with a 802.11G nic? I understand that 802.11G access points are backwards compatible with 802.11b nics but I want to know if the reverse is also true. I have a Compaq Presario 3077wm that has an integrated 802.11g nic and I want to be able to connect with an SMC 7004VWBR 802.11b wireless router. Should I have any problems with this?

Thanks,
Steve Smith

If the router is set for mixed mode i.e. both b and g, then yes. If it is
set for G only, then no

S


"Steve Smith" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:xjDfb.13305$k74.2795@lakeread05...
Will a 802.11b access point work with a 802.11G nic? I understand that
802.11G access points are backwards compatible with 802.11b nics but I want
to know if the reverse is also true. I have a Compaq Presario 3077wm that
has an integrated 802.11g nic and I want to be able to connect with an SMC
7004VWBR 802.11b wireless router. Should I have any problems with this?

Thanks,
Steve Smith

simonbray" wrote
> If the router is set for mixed mode i.e. both b and g, then yes. If it is
> set for G only, then no

The wireless router is only 802.11b. It does not offer a mixed mode option in the setup. I wouldn't have expected that 802.11b access points would offer a mixed mode option for 802.11g compatibility since 802.11g wasn't available when most 802.11b APs were manufactured. Unless a recent firmware update adds this capability. The most recent firmware upgrade to the SMC 7004VWBR does not.

Let me make sure I understand. When they say that 802.11g is backwards compatible with 802.11b, they are only referring to 802.11b nics that are communicating to 802.11g access points? A 802.11b access point can not communicate with a 802.11g nic unless the 802.11b access point offers a mixed mode option for 802.11g compatibility? Is this correct? It just doesn't sound right since many access points actually have an internal wireless nic. I would think the compatibility would work both ways. Anyone else want to comment?

Steve Smith

You shouldn't have any problems. AFAIK, in theory, all 802.11g cards will
work with 802.11b equipment since they're both using 2.4GHz. (The Linksys
and D-link notebook g cards can connect to both) Of course you'll be
connecting at 802.11b speeds instead of 802.11g speeds (11Mbps vs. 54 Mbps)
but that is only a problem if you're trying to do streaming video or
constantly transfering large files across the network.

~E