That's a good idea. I hadn't thought of that. I'll try that out. Using my old g wireless, do I just need to set it to AP mode and connect it?
Wireless N router b/g signal boosting
- Thread starter Amphiprion
- Start date
That's a good idea. I hadn't thought of that. I'll try that out. Using my old g wireless, do I just need to set it to AP mode and connect it?
A rule of thumb is that you can lose 10-25% signal strength for each wall encountered depending on material used. Keep in mind that the signal is "line-of-sight" and not reflective (although it does up to a point). If router is in room A and Lappy is in room C, count the walls encountered between devices. I personally have no faith in Lynksys or Belkin products.
If you have an 8ft ceiling then the maximum height would be 6ft for router placement. Wireless has lag time. There is no getting around it. The more devices (i.e. Range Extenders, repeaters) used to carry the signal, the greater amount of lag will be present. Checking the TTL/loss as you place your devices will help you to find the best location with the smallest lag time.
Ideal is hardwire but is not always feasible. Hardwire to a repeater and then wireless to the next device works, but the small amount of lag you eliminate is usually not enough to matter.
Using B/G signals is strictly limited by the device capability. 802.11G still has a way to go. 802.11B is still the most stable and 802.11A is the the strongest and will penetrate walls but has a serious distance limitation of only 25 meters and parses only 5mbs. Try to avoid anything with an internal antenna.
I have found that Netgear and D-link do the best. Those are just personal likes and no data to support it.
If you have an 8ft ceiling then the maximum height would be 6ft for router placement. Wireless has lag time. There is no getting around it. The more devices (i.e. Range Extenders, repeaters) used to carry the signal, the greater amount of lag will be present. Checking the TTL/loss as you place your devices will help you to find the best location with the smallest lag time.
Ideal is hardwire but is not always feasible. Hardwire to a repeater and then wireless to the next device works, but the small amount of lag you eliminate is usually not enough to matter.
Using B/G signals is strictly limited by the device capability. 802.11G still has a way to go. 802.11B is still the most stable and 802.11A is the the strongest and will penetrate walls but has a serious distance limitation of only 25 meters and parses only 5mbs. Try to avoid anything with an internal antenna.
I have found that Netgear and D-link do the best. Those are just personal likes and no data to support it.
I know a lot of others have had nothing but issues with Linksys, but I guess I am lucky in that they always work for me. Belkin is another story...
At any rate, I followed Sploke's advice and I am beset by another small issue. Is there any way to set the preference of my computer to n signals only? It only wants to connect to the g wireless signals now. Making the old router an access point boosted my signal from ~50% to 75% or more for b/g devices. The dropping is now gone, as well. The only bothersome thing is what I mentioned, in that it only connects to the g signal @ 54 Mbps instead of the n @ 300 Mbps.
At any rate, I followed Sploke's advice and I am beset by another small issue. Is there any way to set the preference of my computer to n signals only? It only wants to connect to the g wireless signals now. Making the old router an access point boosted my signal from ~50% to 75% or more for b/g devices. The dropping is now gone, as well. The only bothersome thing is what I mentioned, in that it only connects to the g signal @ 54 Mbps instead of the n @ 300 Mbps.
Just an update. I figured out by banning my own MAC address on the old router, restarting everything (all computers, too), that I was able to connect exclusively to the N router. This also allowed me to change the radio broadcast to N-only instead of mixed, which theoretically increases the strength. I didn't notice a difference in the latter, since it was really strong to begin with, but it's got to be worth something--if anything, the signals don't compete anymore.
If anyone has found a better idea than banning my MAC address, please let me know. I don't know if this causes performance issues on the other router or not.
If anyone has found a better idea than banning my MAC address, please let me know. I don't know if this causes performance issues on the other router or not.
It appears I spoke too soon. After a day or so's operation, the router decided to go haywire on me. I have it dedicated for my 802.11n devices, but its "auto (20 MHz or 40 MHz)" mode always wants to revert to 20 MHz, even though it is set to N-only mode. This throws my computer and other n devices offline and it does it at random. It may do it every hour to not doing it overnight until morning. I talked to Linksys for 2 hours and got nothing from them other than you should return the router. I have the feeling the next one will likely do the same. So I have taken excuzzzeme's advice and invested in a D-Link router (the DIR-655 to be exact). It has the best reviews of practically any router on the net and I got a free set of hi-gain antennas. I don't know if I'll need them, but they were free.
On another note, I found out that my hard drive was shot, primarily by the horrible grinding noises it was starting to make, so I have been offline for a little while. I bought a new drive and I'm in the process of reinstalling everything... *sigh.*
On another note, I found out that my hard drive was shot, primarily by the horrible grinding noises it was starting to make, so I have been offline for a little while. I bought a new drive and I'm in the process of reinstalling everything... *sigh.*
All routers can be used as an AP, just make sure of put an Ip of your network, disable the dhcp and connect your internet wire to any of the LAN ports and don't use the WAN port.... :dance:
I thought the power-line units had fairly reduced throughput compared to n wireless? I thought they only got to ~80 Mbps at the highest, whereas (using ixchariot) I get around 100 (when the connection is stable). Not to mention that some of my devices must have wireless (PSP).
This is essentially what I did with my wireless G router to allow room for all g devices as opposed to eating n bandwidth.
This is essentially what I did with my wireless G router to allow room for all g devices as opposed to eating n bandwidth.
you seem like cash isnt an issue with buying new antennas and repeaters. ethernet over power would be my second option. my first option would be running ethernet cable out windows between your hub and devices, or through the ceiling/ vents/ attic. it maybe cheaper to hire an electrician to run cat5e or cat6 cable through your home. why on earth do you have 6 walls to go through?
