5GHz-a/n question (mixed mode AP)

RouterOS Wireless Networking
1

Hi,

I would like to have some things clarified about mixed 802.11A and 802.11N mode environment.

I have read some papers which discuss compatibility between A and N mode and it looks for me that the Mikrotik box configured into 5Ghz-a/n should be in so called “Mixed mode”. Thus it is sending an extra header which is used by A mode clients to see that there is a packet being transmitted in unknown protocol and N mode client will know from the header that it should expect a packet in an N modulation scheme. So both A/N mode AP and client will send the extra header. Is it true? And will the station in A/N mode send the header even if the AP doesn’t support the N mode?

Since not all of our clients stations are equipped with N card yet I am considering the option to switch the clients to A/N. I am not sure if the advantage of higher modulation will not be overruled by larger overhead or so. Any suggestions, experiences?

2

It’s possible that you might find something if you were to use IPerf and test all the different possible combinations -

That being said…we have several APs configured this way in both the 2.4 and 5ghz and haven’t noticed a drop in performance for the N clients. I think as along as you’ve got good signals (better than -75) you should be in great shape.

Hope that helps!