How To Avoid Wireless Network Interference

Posted on December 31st, 2008 in Wireless 101 | 1 Comment

For all of their conveniences, wireless networks can suffer from interference. Cordless phones, wireless game controllers, fluorescent lights, microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices, cordless headsets, and even the neighbor’s wireless network can all interfere with your wireless network.

This interference occurs when devices emit signals into the same frequency that your network uses. For example, many cordless phones use the same 2.4GHz band used by 802.11b and 802.11g networks. Even 802.11n devices, which use the 5GHz band, aren’t immune to interference, because some cordless phones, radar, and satellites also use this band.

To help decrease interference, don’t place your wireless router near the aforementioned devices, and if you suspect you’re receiving interference from a network outside of your home, try moving your router to a more central point inside your home. You can also try changing the Wi-Fi channel on your wireless devices, which can help to avoid interference from in-home devices. Finally, angling the antennas on your routers or wireless adapters can help to ensure better reception.

If you’re in the market for a new cordless phone, buy a phone that uses a frequency different from your network’s frequency. Better yet, consider buying a phone that uses DECT 6.0, a new protocol that’s designed to avoid interference with other wireless networks. As an added bonus, DECT 6.0 features improved voice quality, range, and security over other cordless phone technologies.

More on How To Resolve Weak Wireless Connection.

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Wireless Puzzle

Posted on December 30th, 2008 in Wireless 101 | No Comments

Before installing a wireless network, you’ll need to determine if any of your computers or mobile devices already have wireless technology and, if they do, which wireless standards they support.

If none of your computers have wireless capabilities, you’ll still need to know which wireless standards are compatible with each other so you don’t buy incompatible products

Refer to the chart above when purchasing wireless devices

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How To Install A Wireless Network

Posted on December 28th, 2008 in Wireless 101 | No Comments

We will show you how to build an entirely wireless network using wireless router, rather than adding a wireless access point to an existing wired network. If you do decide to use an access point with an existing wired broadband router, the following information is still valuable, because you’ll need to follow many of the same steps to configure your access point.

A wireless router is the device that sends the wireless signals, including Internet access to other computers on your network, its placement within your home can be crucial. If the router is stationed in an obscure corner of the home, it might be difficult to obtain reliable connectivity throughout your home. Therefore, it’s generally best to choose a central location for the router. Not all users have the option to choose their location, because if the network is paired with a broadband Internet connection, the router will need to be connected by cable to the broadband modem, and there might be limited cable outlets in the home.

Also, be aware that the closer a wireless router is to external walls, the more easily its signals can be detected by someone outside your home. Although your wireless security configuration will protect you from wireless hackers, it doesn’t hurt to place the wireless router toward a central location to weaken the signal that leaks outside of your home. If the initial location doesn’t provide solid coverage throughout your home, try other spots or consider using more powerful wireless antennas on your equipment or a wireless signal booster.

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Will WPA reduce the performance?

Posted on December 26th, 2008 in Hardware | No Comments

Will encryption such as WPA reduce the performance of my 802.11n connection?

Yes, wireless encryption can slow the net data throughput of your wireless connection, but the impact should be only slight and not even noticeable unless you’re comparing detailed throughput measurements.

Encryption is a mathematical process that has to be applied to data before it’s transmitted and then again once the data is received. A well-designed encryption feature can achieve this at nearly line rate. But in actual practice, the encryption causes just a little latency, slightly slowing the data transfer. For most users, the benefit of wireless encryption far outweighs the slight performance
penalty.

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What You Need For Wireless Network

Posted on December 24th, 2008 in Hardware, Wireless 101 | No Comments

Freedom is the name of the game when it comes to computing today. Much of that freedom can be attributed directly to wireless networks, which allow consumers to use their desktop and laptop PCs wherever they like around their homes.

Over the years, wireless hardware hasn’t changed much from its original formula, but device manufacturers have eased the process of installing and configuring a wireless network. Still, you’ll need a solid working knowledge of wireless concepts and designs before you embark on your own wireless project to ensure that the final result is efficient and secure. Although wireless networks usually cost a little more than their wired counterparts, they offer far more mobility without a huge decrease in performance or reliability.

At its core, a wireless network is amazingly simple, containing two essential components: a wireless access point and a wireless network adapter. The wireless access point uses antennas to emit data signals to wireless adapters that are connected to desktop or laptop PCs. These wireless signals take the place of Ethernet cables to send data, allowing users to connect to the network without physical limitations.

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Why are there multiple antennas with 802.11n devices?

Posted on December 22nd, 2008 in Hardware | No Comments

Why are there multiple antennas with 802.11n devices? Are the small USB 802.11n adapters with no external antennas just as good as the internal NIC with three big antennas?

One of the big benefits to 802.11n is its use of multiple simultaneous communication channels, which breaks the data stream into multiple parts and transmits each part across a different antenna to corresponding antennas on the receiving end. The technique is called MIMO.

SMC Networks SMCWUSB-N EZ Connect N 2.4GHz 300 Mbps Pro Draft 11n Wireless PCI Adapter

All types of 802.11n NIC devices use multiple antennas. Just because you don’t see multiple antennas doesn’t mean they’re not
there. For example, the SMC SMCWUSBS-N 802.11n wireless USB adapter uses two internal antennas. The 802.11n standard should
allow up to four antennas, but most devices use two or three. This reduces the effectiveness of MIMO slightly, but USB and PC Card
NICs should provide just as much throughput as PCI NICs with full-sized antennas at close range.

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Maximum 802.11n Wireless Range

Posted on December 20th, 2008 in 802.11n | 1 Comment

Some one sent email asking what is the maximum practical range for 802.11n, and how I can get the most range?

Wireless range is difficult to define because it is influenced by various factors. The big variable is data rate. For example, it’s possible to extend the range by lowering the data rate. Data rates and effective ranges are also impacted by electrical and physical interference to the wireless radio signal. This includes interference from wireless telephones operating in the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequencies used by
different 802.11 standards, along with physical interference, such as walls, floors, windows, and other obstructions between the wireless NIC and the wireless access point. Even manufacturers don’t list absolute ranges. Instead, they note maximum ranges that the devices are theoretically capable of reaching.

From a more practical standpoint, 802.11n should easily provide wireless coverage at excellent data rates, about 250Mbps or more throughout your entire house, though it’s usually a good idea to locate
the wireless router centrally in the house. Outside, you’ll find that you can probably maintain your 802.11n connection to a range of about 200 meters or more. Just remember that the signal strength and the
resulting data speeds will fall off as you move farther away.

You can get the most range by minimizing interference and physical obstacles between your wireless points. If you use cordless phones,
be sure that the phone operates outside of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies used by 802.11n.

The use of high-gain or directional antennas can also help maximize wireless range, but they will add cost to your wireless setup.

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