Wireless network tips & tricks
Wireless network tips & tricks
If Windows ever notifies you about a weak signal, it probably means your
connection isn't as fast or as reliable as it could be. Worse, you might lose
your connection entirely in some parts of your home. If you're looking to
improve the signal for your wireless network, try some of these tips for
extending your wireless range and improving your wireless network performance.
1.
Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location
When possible, place
your wireless router in a central location in your home. If your wireless
router is against an outside wall of your home, the signal will be weak on the
other side of your home. Don't worry if you can't move your wireless router,
because there are many other ways to improve your connection.2.
Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as
metal file cabinets)
Metal, walls, and
floors will interfere with your router's wireless signals. The closer your
router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the
weaker your connection will be.
3.
Replace your router's antenna
The antennas supplied
with your router are designed to be omni-directional, meaning they broadcast in
all directions around the router. If your router is near an outside wall, half
of the wireless signals will be sent outside your home, and much of your
router's power will be wasted. Most routers don't allow you to increase the
power output, but you can make better use of the power. Upgrade to a hi-gain
antenna that focuses the wireless signals only one direction. You can aim the
signal in the direction you need it most.
4.
Replace your computer's wireless network adapter
Wireless network
signals must be sent both to and from your computer. Sometimes, your router can
broadcast strongly enough to reach your computer, but your computer can't send
signals back to your router. To improve this, replace your laptop's PC
card-based wireless network adapter with a USB network adapter that uses an external
antenna. In particular, consider the Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless USB network
adapter, which adds an external, hi-gain antenna to your computer and can
significantly improve your range.
Laptops with
built-in wireless typically have excellent antennas and don't need to have
their network adapters upgraded.
5.
Add a wireless repeater
Wireless repeaters
extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring.
Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and
your computer, and you'll get an instant boost to your wireless signal
strength. Check out the wireless repeaters from ViewSonic, D-Link, Linksys, and
Buffalo Technology.
6.
Change your wireless channel
Wireless routers can
broadcast on several different channels, similar to the way radio stations use
different channels. In the United States and Canada, these channels are 1, 6,
and 11. Just like you'll sometimes hear interference on one radio station while
another is perfectly clear, sometimes one wireless channel is clearer than
others. Try changing your wireless router's channel through your router's
configuration page to see if your signal strength improves. You don't need to
change your computer's configuration, because it'll automatically detect the
new channel.
7.
Reduce wireless interference
If you have cordless
phones or other wireless electronics in your home, your computer might not be
able to "hear" your router over the noise from the other wireless
devices. To quiet the noise, avoid wireless electronics that use the 2.4GHz
frequency. Instead, look for cordless phones that use the 5.8GHz or 900MHz
frequencies.
8.
Update your firmware or your network adapter driver
Router manufacturers
regularly make free improvements to their routers. Sometimes, these
improvements increase performance. To get the latest firmware updates for your
router, visit your router manufacturer's Web site.
Similarly, network
adapter vendors occasionally update the software that Windows uses to
communicate with your network adapter, known as the driver. These updates
typically improve performance and reliability.
9.
Pick equipment from a single vendor
While a Linksys
router will work with a D-Link network adapter, you often get better
performance if you pick a router and network adapter from the same vendor. Some
vendors offer a performance boost of up to twice the performance when you
choose their hardware: Linksys has the SpeedBooster technology, and D-Link has
the 108G enhancement.
10.
Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g
802.11b is the most
common type of wireless network, but 802.11g is about five times faster.
802.11g is backward-compatible with 802.11b, so you can still use any 802.11b
equipment that you have. If you're using 802.11b and you're unhappy with the
performance, consider replacing your router and network adapters with
802.11g-compatible equipment. If you're buying new equipment, definitely choose
802.11g.
Wireless
networks never reach the theoretical bandwidth limits. 802.11b networks
typically get 2-5Mbps. 802.11g is usually in the 13-23Mbps range. Belkin's
Pre-N equipment has been measured at 37-42Mbps.
Similarly, network adapter vendors occasionally update
the software that Windows uses to communicate with your network adapter, known
as the driver. These updates typically improve performance and reliability.
9. Pick equipment from a single vendor
While a Linksys router will work with a D-Link network
adapter, you often get better performance if you pick a router and network
adapter from the same vendor. Some vendors offer a performance boost of up to
twice the performance when you choose their hardware: Linksys has the
SpeedBooster technology, and D-Link has the 108G enhancement.
10. Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g
802.11b is the most common type of wireless network, but
802.11g is about five times faster. 802.11g is backward-compatible with
802.11b, so you can still use any 802.11b equipment that you have. If you're
using 802.11b and you're unhappy with the performance, consider replacing your
router and network adapters with 802.11g-compatible equipment. If you're buying
new equipment, definitely choose 802.11g.
Wireless networks never reach the theoretical bandwidth
limits. 802.11b networks typically get 2-5Mbps. 802.11g is usually in the
13-23Mbps range. Belkin's Pre-N equipment has been measured at 37-42Mbps.
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