NETGEAR WNA3100M-100ENS, WNA3100-100ENS Assessing Your Network Speed Requirements, Wireless

Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual

•Wireless

A high-speed wireless router can provide a wireless data throughput of up to 300 Mbps using technology called multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), in which multiple antennas transmit multiple streams of data. The use of multiple antennas also provides excellent range and coverage. With WPA and WPA2 encryption and authentication protocols, wireless security is extremely strong.

To get the best performance, use newer adapters such as RangeMax adapters for your computers. A high-speed router might be compatible with older 802.11b and 802.11g adapters, but the use of these older wireless technologies in your network can result in lower throughput overall (typically less than 10 Mbps for 802.11b and less than 40 Mbps for 802.11g). In addition, many older wireless products do not support the latest security protocols, WPA and WPA2.

•Powerline

For connecting rooms or floors that are blocked by obstructions or are distant vertically, consider networking over your building’s AC wiring. NETGEAR’s Powerline HD family of products delivers up to 200 Mbps to any outlet, while the older-generation XE family of products delivers 14 Mbps or 85 Mbps. Data transmissions are encrypted for security, and you can configure an individual network password to prevent neighbors from connecting.

When you add new Powerline products, you can continue to use older models, but they might not be able to share the same Powerline network.

•Wired Ethernet

As Gigabit Ethernet ports become common on newer computers, wired Ethernet remains a good choice for speed, economy, and security. Gigabit Ethernet can extend up to 100 meters with twisted-pair wiring of CAT-5e or better. A wired connection is not susceptible to interference, and eavesdropping would require a physical connection to your network.

Note: Actual data throughput varies. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and

network overhead, can lower actual data throughput rate.

Assessing Your Network Speed Requirements

Because your Internet connection is likely to operate at a much lower speed than your local network, faster local networking technologies might not improve your Internet experience. However, many emerging home applications require high data rates. For example:

•Streaming HD video requires 10 to 30 Mbps per stream. Because latency and packet loss can disrupt your video, plan to provide at least twice the capacity you need.

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v1.0, December 2009