JeauxBleaux wrote:From googling I understand that 802.11n is not really there yet in the linux world, is still spotty elsewhere, and even the spec is in draft form anyway.
Here's my question: (especially since the spec is apparently still in draft form) are future changes going to be in the silicon? or are they expected to be all firmware and drivers?
I think Linux world is just in the maturing stage right now. ath5k driver is G devices, yet it is no more mature than the ath9k N driver now. Same goes for the b43... it is not so good and G only. It is Linux wireless that is in transition (final stage of maturing).
The silicon is stable as far as anything I see. If it is draft 2.0 silicon, it should be good. Laptops have all been shipping with N for a long time. Intel has been shipping the 4965AGN for a long time now (years) and probably has the most mature driver on Windows and Linux. At least as a client.
From what I see, all changes to N post Draft 2.0 are just software and router interface changes. For example, they still debate how the default settings needs to be on the router after unboxing for the channel width and such.
JeauxBleaux wrote:More immediately, I need to replace a couple of mini-pci's. If I get ones that claim to support the 802.11n 'draft', is that a waste of money at this time since the silicon will change? Or can I expect that I can still use these new mini-pcis just needing to change whatever firmware is on them, or (even easier) upgrade the drivers in the OS (openwrt or whatever)?
My experience with modern cards is that they do not need flash. They are softMAC where the firmware is in driver or downloaded by driver on each boot. For AP mode, Atheros is getting the most attention with ath9k at the moment. I'm not sure how Intel miniPCI is doing in AP mode, but I would look at them - not much attention given there here on OpenWRT - but they
may have the best drivers at the moment.
JeauxBleaux wrote:How about USBs?
Side question: anyone have any particular abgn 5GHz mini-pcis they like and recommend?
USB I don't know... but I want to point out that divers are entirely different on USB from PCI/AHB even if the chips are the same! USB devices have their own CPU,RAM and just exchange data with a protocol with the host...so the same Atheros chips in a USB device will not work the same as they would directly connected in terms of drivers/features. Plus USB 2.0 going to have high CPU usage on N speeds...
From me: No feedback on specific AGN card sellers, that might depend where you are and who is easiest to purchase from. Sparklan, Ubiquity, TP-Link I all see referenced in forum for Atheros.
(Last edited by RoundSparrow on 28 Feb 2009, 13:35)
