[apollo11]

In the Airport utility for my wireless system

Airport Extreme is 802.11n, version 7.3.2

Airport Express called BosePort does not say which network protocol is running and has version 6.3

Airport Express called PrintServerExpress is 802.11n, version 7.3.2

All users have Airport extreme cards installed

Is my system dragged down to g by BosePort?

I cannot find an updater to raise BosePort to n, can anyone suggest where I can find one?

Thank you in advance

[mduell]

It's a hardware change from g to n, you can't upgrade an older Airport Express with software.

BosePort is dragging down the performance of your whole network because the Airports don't support simultaneous dual-band (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz) like other brands do. You could alleviate the issue by wiring the BosePort to the router that's connected to the internet connection (presumably the Extreme), but that may be a hassle.

[Simon]

I you run 802.11g devices on an 802.11n network they will slow things down. It is absolutely not true that everything is slowed down to g speeds (even though you read it a lot on the internet), but bandwidth is reduced even for n-n communication on a mixed network.

If you really want maximum speed you need to make sure all base stations and clients support n. That would for example mean exchanging your g Express with an n Express. Also keep in mind many clients don't support n (the iPhone is an obvious example).

If you need g compatibility, but want max speed for n devices the proper thing to do is set up two wireless networks (connected but not mixed). One is purely n and the other is g. Make sure n-capable clients join the n network. You can find more information about this "Dual-Band Network" in Apple's AirPort Design manual (see pages 48-49).