| 863 | | [=#homewifi] |
| 864 | | == Tips for Improving Home !WiFi Performance |
| 865 | | 1. Wi-Fi technology continually improves. Newer Wi-Fi gear typically runs faster, is more reliable and offers better compatibility with your home electronic gadgets. |
| 866 | | 1. Move the AP to a Better Location - The network might crash when a microwave oven or cordless phone is turned on. One easy way to address poor !WiFi performance is to simply move the wireless AP to a better location. |
| 867 | | 1. Change the Wi-Fi Channel Number - Interference on a channel can impact your Wi-Fi network's performance. Most wireless routers ship with the same default channel numbers and you may experience radio interference from a neighbor's router on the same channel. Changing the Wi-Fi channel is often the best way to fix this problem. |
| 868 | | 1. Upgrade AP firmware - Updating your firmware can provide performance improvements, security enhancements or better reliability. |
| 869 | | 1. Increase Signal Strength and Range of the AP - Sometimes the Wi-Fi signal will simply not be strong enough to maintain a good connection. The likelihood of this problem increases the further away from the router a client is and the more obstructions, such as brick walls, stand between the client and the router. One way to solve this problem is to upgrade the Wi-Fi antenna installed on the AP. |
| | 863 | [=#tipsforAP] |
| | 864 | == Tips for Improving AP Performance |
| | 865 | 1. Wifi technology is constantly improving. Newer hardware will typically offer more features, better reliability/compatibility, and outperform older devices. For best results we recommend using the latest and greatest hardware. |
| | 866 | 1. One of the most effective ways to improve Wifi performance is to have is correctly situated in relation to the devices that will access it. If you place the AP in a location with lots of interference performance will greatly suffer. |
| | 867 | 1. Test different channels. Many Wifi devices will operate on the same channel by default. Overlap could significantly reduce performance. Try different channels to avoid interferance from other AP's in the vicinity. |
| | 868 | 1. Use the latest firmware. You will find the best performance and security using the latest firmware. |
| | 869 | 1. Use the appropriate antenna or attenuator considering the range you plan on operating your stations from. Using a larger antenna is preferable if your AP and station are separated by some obstruction. |
| 872 | | == Where is the Best Place For Your Wireless AP |
| 873 | | 1. Don't settle prematurely on a location for the wireless AP. Experiment; test the device in several different promising locations. While trial-and-error may not be the most scientific way to find a good spot for your AP, it is often the only practical way to assure the best possible Wi-Fi performance. |
| 874 | | 1. It is ideal to install the wireless AP in a central location. If you have only one wireless client, installing the base station near this client is best. For WLANs with multiple wireless clients, find a good compromise position. Clients too far away from the AP will obtain only 10% to 50% the network bandwidth of clients nearby to it. You may need to sacrifice the network performance of one client for the good of the others. |
| 875 | | 1. Avoid physical obstructions whenever possible. Any barriers along the "line of sight" between client and base station will degrade a Wi-Fi radio signal. Plaster or brick walls tend to have the most negative impact, but really any obstruction including cabinets or furniture will weaken the signal to some degree. Obstruction tend to reside closer to floor level; therefore, some folks prefer to install their wireless AP on or near the ceiling. |
| 876 | | 1. Avoiding reflective surfaces whenever possible. Some Wi-Fi signals literally bounce off of windows, mirrors, metal file cabinets and stainless steel countertops, lessening both network range and performance. |
| 877 | | 1. Install the wireless AP at least 1m (3 feet) away from other home appliances that send wireless signals in the same frequency range. Such appliances include some microwave ovens, codrless telephones, and home automation equipment. Appliances that transmit in the 2.4GHz frequency range ar most likely to generate Wi-Fi interference. |
| 878 | | 1. Likewise, install the router away from electrical equipment that also generates interference. Avoid electric fans, other motors, and fluorescent lighting. |
| 879 | | 1. If the best location you find is only marginally acceptable, consider adjusting the AP's antennas to improve performance. |
| | 872 | == Where should I position my AP |
| | 873 | 1. Try different locations for your AP. Guess and check method isn't the most scientific but is often the most effective method. |
| | 874 | 1. Consider the most central location from all stations. Clients too far away will have poor bandwidth. |
| | 875 | 1. Avoid obstruction whenever possible. Consider a ceiling mount for your AP. |
| | 876 | 1. Avoid reflective surfaces, metal and steel. |
| | 877 | 1. Locate the AP away from other devices emitting RF or other EM radiation. Electric motors, florescent lights, microwave ovens. |
| | 878 | 1. Adjust your antenna after choosing the most suitable location. |
| 885 | | Choices vary by country but in the US these non-overlapping 5GHz channels are most recommended: 36, 40, 44, 48, 149, 153, 157 and 161. |
| 886 | | |
| 887 | | ''Note: Usable non-overlapping 5 GHz channels also exist in between 48 and 149, specifically - 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 132, and 136. These channels fall into a specially regulated category where a Wi-Fi transmitter is required to detect whether other devices are already transmitting on the same channel and automatically changes its channel to avoid conflict. While this Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) feature avoids interference issues, many network administrators simply avoid using these channels altogether to minimize complications. '' |
| | 884 | In the US: 36, 40, 44, 48, 149, 153, 157 and 161. |
| | 885 | |
| | 886 | ''Note: Usable non-overlapping channels exist between 48 and 149. 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 132, and 136 to be specific. These channels are regulated and will not work if other devices are already transmitting in this range'' |
