Flaky is the right word for WiFi connections - they can be affected by a mind-boggling array of objects and phenomena, from cordless phones to filing cabinets. You should also keep in mind that wireless networks rarely deliver data at their rated bandwidth speeds. You’re lucky to get half the rated speed, even in the best of conditions.
One of the biggest factors affecting connection speed is the distance between the access point and the wireless equipped PC. Compaq, for example, notes that at a distance of 150 feet, the throughput of its wireless access point drops by half, and at 300 feet, it drops even more. And that’s understanding the case: in real-world conditions, you’ll find a much more severe drop-off in speed.
Reducing the distance between your upstairs computer and your access point will go a long way toward boosting network performance, but interference from other devices and the layout of your house or office can dramatically affect network speed as well. Here’s what you can do to get more throughput throughout your home:
1. Put your wireless access point in a central location. That way, all of your wireless equipped PCs will get reasonable throughput. If you tuck your access point away in a corner of thr house, nearby PCs may get high throughput, but for others it may drop significantly.
2. Make sure the access point’s antennas are not obstructed. Make sure there are no obstructions within two to three inches of the antennas. Transmission may also improve if the antennas are vertically oriented, but every house is different, so experiment.
3. Point the antennas of your wireless PCs in the direction of the access point. Many of the WiFi adapter cards you stick in a PC slot have external, adjustable antennas. So, too, do external USB wireless adapters and some of the wireless network cards you snap into a laptop’s PCMCIA slot. If you can, point the adapter’s antenna toward your access point. If the antenna is built into the adapter, change the orientation of your PC or laptop until you get the best signal strength hopefully, in a position that still lets you get work done! Note: these tips only pay off if your devices are using directional antennas.
4. Don’t place access points or wireless PCs near filling cabinets and other large metal objects. Any metal within 100 feet can cause multiple reflections of the signal, which can cut throughput dramatically.
5. Consider using external and booster antennas. Some access points can accept booster antennas that can increase the range of the signal and boost the throughput for those who are further away from the router. So can some wireless PC cards, such as Proxim’s Orinoco cards, which have small connector that allows you to attach a “pigtail” cable and, on the other end, a store-bought or home-built antenna or cantenna.
