Wireless Networking Tips

Wireless Networking Tips

Tip 1: Reduce interference on your wireless network Tip 2: Change the channel on your wireless router Tip 3: Improve wireless router signal strength Tip 4: How to Improve Wireless Range Tip 5: Wireless Dymistified Wireless Networking Tip #1 Reduce interference on your wireless network Since wireless networks use radio waves to transmit signals, it's possible that typical household electronics-your microwave, cordless phone or even the baby monitor- can interfere with this signal. Make sure you move your wireless router away from those devices that use the same 2.4GHz frequency range. Other causes of interference are brick and cinderblock walls, metal doors, metal frames around windows and doors, and metal filing cabinets. Take these simple steps to reduce wireless interference: Move the router further away from the interfering device or object. If there is interference with a phone, you can change the channel of the phone or the Router so they use different channels. If there is still too much interference, you may have to buy a different phone system, operating at either 900MHz or 5GHz. Place the wireless router in a central location of your house, such as a family room or office. Arrange the desktop or laptop's wireless antenna so that it points toward the wireless router. Avoid placing the antenna close to an outside wall (unless outside is where you want to be). If you want to connect while you're outside, place the router near a window. Place your Access Point as high as possible. If your network goes through multiple floors, try to place the Access Point on the upper floor. Back to Top Wireless Networking Tip #2 Change the channel on your wireless router If you are experiencing frequent loss of connections on your wireless network, interference from another network using the same channel is the likely cause. If you and a neighbor both have a wireless network set at channel 6, then you may experience interference. Try changing to a different channel, either 1 or 11. If your wireless signal is intermittent, then you are most likely experiencing 2.4 GHz interference. Before switching channels see Networking Tip #1 for easy ways to reduce or eliminate interference. Here are some simple steps to take if you want to try switching channels: First, be sure to have the latest firmware installed for your router. Firmware downloads are available at http://www.linksys.com/download. Follow the instructions for your router model (see your User Guide or follow the link above) and change the channel to 1, 6, or 11. These are the best channels to use for wireless networking. If you are still experiencing interference try switching the router to one of the other channels (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10) until you find one that makes a good connection. Back to Top Wireless Networking Tip #3 Improve wireless router signal strength Wireless signal strength depends on many environmental factors such as windows, walls, and furniture. Glass does not block the signal. Ideally, place the wireless router in the center of the area you want covered, with as little signal leaking outside the walls as possible. A High Gain Antenna can increase the strength of outgoing signals and enhance the reception of incoming signals. This added signal strength and sensitivity not only extends the range of your wireless network, but also improves close-range communications reliability by reducing re-transmissions due to weak signal reception errors. See Networking Tip #1 for easy ways to reduce or eliminate interference. High Gain Antenna Kits have been developed to help increase the effective range of a Linksys home or small business wireless network. The antenna solutions include a High Gain Antenna Kit for TNC Connections (HGA7T) and a High Gain Antenna Kit for SMA Connections (HGA7S). Installation of a High Gain Antenna is easy. Just unscrew the current antenna(s) from your router, access point or bridge and attach the High Gain Antenna. Back to Top Wireless Networking Tip #4 Improve Wireless Range Imagine the freedom to work and play from any room of your home or office, without deadspots. Surf the Web from your den. Play online-games in your living room. Or stream digital music from your kitchen. It's all possible when you have more range. Why Does Range Matter? Range is the effective coverage area of your wireless network. Range is affected by your home’s construction including windows and walls, and other wireless devices such as cordless phones and microwave ovens that may be near the router. How to Increase Your Range. Explore the Linksys line of range-enhancing products: Wireless-N. Wireless-N offers more range and is faster than standard wireless. It delivers up to four times the range, giving you more flexibility to work or play virtually anywhere in your home or around it: upstairs, downstairs or in the backyard by the pool. Use the right adapter to get the best network performance. To fully utilize the speed and range of Wireless-N, match your Router with the right Adapter. To upgrade a desktop PC consider the Linksys Wireless-N USB Adapter, which easily connects to a USB port and doesn’t require opening the computer case. For notebooks, use the Linksys Wireless-N Notebook Adapter. Simply insert the Notebook Adapter into the PC Card slot and you're “N-abled!” Back to Top Wireless Networking Tip #5 Wireless Standards Demystified The wireless industry sets radio frequency and data transfer standards for wireless local area network computer communication. These standards are developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, or IEEE. There are currently four standards for wireless computing: Wireless-A, Wireless-B, Wireless-G, and Wireless-N. Wireless-A (802.11a) Operates at the frequency of 5GHz, which is less crowded than 2.4GHz where telephones and microwaves may cause interference. Although the speed is up to 54Mbps, the maximum range is only 75 feet. Wireless-A is incompatible with both Wireless-B and G because it operates at a different frequency. Wireless-B (802.11b) Operates on the 2.4GHz frequency band and can transmit data at speeds of up to 11Mbps within a range of up to 100-150 feet. Wireless range can be affected by reflective or signal-blocking obstacles, such as mirrors, walls, devices and location, whether indoors or outdoors. Wireless-G (802.11g) Features the same benefits as Wireless-B, but offers 5X the speed at up to 54Mbps. Wireless-G currently offers the best combination of performance and value. Wireless-G is compatible with Wireless-B equipment, but you will lose the higher performance speeds of Wireless-G. Wireless-N (draft 802.11n) The current generation of high-speed wireless networking, capable of delivering the range and capacity to support today's most bandwidth-hungry applications like streaming video. Wireless-N builds on the previous wireless standards by adding multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology. Wireless-N is a draft standard, meaning The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has not yet adopted it. However, computer manufacturers and many other companies are marketing products with the expectation that it will soon become the new standard. Dual-Band Wireless-N (draft 802.11n) Dual-band routers are compatible with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. Non-concurrent dual-band routers only allow usage in one of the frequency bands during set up and configuration. In a concurrent (or simultaneous) dual-band router both radio bands work at the same time, substantially expanding the available channel bandwidth and allowing more data flow. Wireless Comparison Chart The chart below outlines the differences and features for each wireless standard, along with the activities that are best suited for each one. Wireless Standard Dual-Band Wireless-N (802.11n) Wireless-N (802.11n) Wireless-G (802.11g) Wireless-B (802.11b) Wireless-A (802.11a) Frequency 2.4GHz and 5GHz 2.4GHz 2.4GHz 2.4GHz 5GHz Maximum Speed* 108Mbps 108Mbps 54Mbps 11Mbps 54Mbps Range 300'-450' 300'-450' 100'-150' 100'-150' 25'-75' Compatibility** Wireless-B, -G & -A Wireless-B & -G Wireless-B, & -N Wireless-G & -N Not compatible w/ Wireless-B, -G or -N. * Maximum wireless signal rates are based on IEEE Standard specifications. Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors can lower actual data throughput rates and range (coverage). ** Performance will only be as good as the lesser of the two. Vendor who is selling this product Newcomputergen.com Back to Top