Are the signals from your Wi-Fi router dropping out constantly or sporadically? Do you want more coverage? If so, then this tutorial is for you.
We'll discover five ways to fix connectivity issues and increase your Wi-Fi coverage area. The first two solutions don't even require opening the pocket book.
Then if you still need more coverage, you have three other solutions to pick from, which could require as little as $50. Let's get started!
1. Relocate Modem and Router (Free!)
The signals from your wireless router (and any other access points) are generally sent in all directions evenly—it is omnidirectional. Therefore, you want the router centered in the desired coverage area.
For instance, if you are having problems connecting on the left side of the building, and the router is on the right side, try to move the modem and router toward the left, centrally located.
For DSL or cable service, you can usually just disconnect and reconnect the modem into a different area of the building. If lacking phone or cable jacks is a problem, you might consider buying a longer Ethernet cable if it can be reasonably ran between the router and modem.
2. Fix Any Interference (Free!)
Before you hit the shelves or online stores, you need to make sure interference from other Wi-Fi networks or other transmitting devices aren't hindering your signal.
Neighboring wireless networks on the same or overlapping channel, nearby 2.4GHz wireless devices (such as Bluetooth adapters, cordless phones, baby monitors, wireless cameras, wireless keyboards or mice, and wireless speakers), and even microwaves can cause your signals to reduce or drop completely.
Walk around your home or office and look for anything wireless. If signal problems arise sporadically, make sure you do a walk-around while the problem is happening. If you find suspect devices, disable them, at least long enough to see if it's the cause.
To check for possible interfering Wi-Fi networks, you can download NetStumbler, a program that will show you all the networks in the area (regardless if "hidden") along with their details, such as the signal strength and channel.
Open NetStumbler and let it capture all the networks, preferably on a laptop while you walk your building's perimeter.
If you find a network that's four or fewer channels away from yours (such as channel 4 if you're on channel 1), you'll want to move to the best non–overlapping channel: either 1, 6, or 11.
If there are several networks, pick the best non–overlapping channel, taking into account the signal strengths. To change your wireless router's channel, log into its web-based control panel with the IP address and find the basic wireless settings.
3. Upgrade to Wireless N ($50–100 for Router and $30–$70 per Adapter)
If you've ruled out your router's positioning and interference from hindering your signals and you think there's just not enough range, consider upgrading your devices to 802.11n (or Draft 2, as the standard isn't completely finalized).
This involves buying brand new equipment; 802.11b or g isn't upgradable with new firmware. Wireless N (as we'll refer to it) uses multiple-in-multiple-out (MIMO), a smart antenna technology, and other improvements that make for much larger coverage areas and faster connections.
If you do want to make the upgrade, make sure to use the same manufacturer for all the equipment because of interoperability issues with Draft N and proprietary features.
To get full improvement, you also need to use both Wireless N for the router and the wireless adapters.
Remember that faster wireless doesn't mean faster Internet, however. The 4Mbit/s or so Internet connection is a bottleneck to the 20Mbit/s or more (real-world) Wireless G speed (or 100+Mbit/s Wireless N speed).
Faster wireless, though, does mean faster file transfers among the computers on the network and better support for HD streaming and other high utilization applications.
Because of lower prices on Wireless N gear, I recommend upgrading the core equipment instead of just replacing stock antennas with higher gain ones, like you might see discussed elsewhere.
The high gain antennas can run $30 and up. You'll see similar range improvements when spending $50 and up on a new Wireless N router. For more range, upgrade each computer's adapter to Wireless N over time.
4. Extend Coverage Using HomePlug Powerline ($40+ for Router-to-Outlet Adapter and $70+ for AP/Adapter)
If you really need to boost your signal, you can extend your coverage easily by using your building's electrical wiring. Like the method discussed in the next section, "Adding Access Points," you would be adding another wireless AP to your network.
However, instead of running Ethernet cables, you would use powerline adapters to transmit data through the electrical lines.
To power your lines with network connectivity, you would just plug in an adapter at an electrical outlet near the router and hook a cable between them. Then from any other plugs in the home or office, you would plug in an adapter or adapter/AP combo.
If you use an adapter, you could run an Ethernet cable directly to a computer or to an AP. If you use the combo device, you would instantly have additional wireless connectivity.
If you have an extra router or AP around (such as from upgrading to Wireless N), you'll probably want to go with the plain adapter to save money.
This is an alternative to using wireless extenders or repeaters, discussed tremendously elsewhere. Though extending coverage using powerline networking can be a bit more expensive, it doesn't have the negative performance affects.
If you find you need to extend even farther, you'll probably save money by going this route; it's only around $40 to buy a new powerline adapter.
5. Adding Access Points ($30+ for AP and $10+ for Cabling)
Like the method just discussed, adding access points involves adding more APs to your network. This traditional method uses Ethernet cables to connect these additional APs back to your router.
Although this method may require a bit more physical work, it will probably be cheaper. Of course, you'll want to hide the cables somehow. If you have an unfinished basement or crawlspace, think about running the cable down there and drilling holes up through the floor.
You could also run the cabling through the attic and down into closets or walls. As with the powerline solution, you could use a spare AP or router in this solution, even if it is Wireless G.
Wrapping it Up
Remember that before you spend money to extend your Wi-Fi network, make sure that your router is placed properly and that interference isn't hindering your signal.
After that, consider making the upgrade to Wireless N, using powerline networking, or running cables.
Always keep these tips in mind:
- Keep your networking gear up-to-date with new drivers for your adapters and firmware releases for your routers and access points.
- Keep your network secure by at least using WPA-PSK/Personal with a strong passphrase—WPA2 is even better.
- Best prices for gear are usually online—use comparison tools, such as Google Product Search.
Eric Geier is an author of many computing and networking books, including Home Networking All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (Wiley 2008) and 100 Things You Need to Know about Microsoft Windows Vista (Que 2007).