alexk_il
@bezeqint.net
| Help needed - Interference problems?
Hi,
I have an old 3COM 3CRWE554G72 Wireless router which I use with my Lenovo X61 notebook (built-in 802.11b/g). I live in a multi-apartment building, so I guess the WiFi space is pretty congested.
Everything is used to work fine, but now the internet access of my laptop goes on peaks: 10-15sec of full ISP speed, 10-15sec of 0Mbps, and so on. It happens even when the laptop is connected at full 54Mbps speed with good/medium signal. When I put the laptop close to the WiFi router everything works fine.
I believe that this problem is caused by interference with other radio devices. Anyway, I would expect the router to gracefully reduce the connection speed from 54Mbps to whatever STABLE rate instead of giving me peaks. However this is not happening.
1. Can WiFi routers actually reduce the connection speed even if the signal is good (based on the interference with other WiFi devices)?
2. Is it the problem with the router, or with my laptop's wifi?
3. What would be the best way to address the problem? I would definitely want to avoid WiFi extenders/Access point solutions.
Thanks a lot,
Alex |
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jimbopalmer
Tsar of all the Rushers
join:2008-06-02
Greenwood, MS
 ·Windjammer Cable
| (I am going to assume you live in the US, if not, you have more channels available to you. The nice part of WiFi is that you can use it without a license or direct government permission, at any time; the bad part of WiFi is, so can your neighbors, at any time)
The Non-conflicting channels are 1, 6, and 11. It is never a polite, good idea to use any other channels in the 2.4 Ghz band. Your laptop should be able to tell which of those 3 has the least interference.
1. It is more common to be able to reduce speed in the Laptop driver. »support.3com.com/infodeli/tools/···ev01.pdf has no hint the router can set speeds.
2. I suspect the 'problem' is with a newly created wireless network at a neighbors, not with your equipment. You need to find the least used channel of the three and move the router there. One option you DO have is to let the router pick the clearest channel. "Choose the Clear Channel Select option to automatically choose the clearest channel. The Gateway will check for the clearest channel whenever it is rebooted, powered up, and when the Clear Channel Select option is first applied." - Page 48 of the above PDF
3. I would look at all available networks on the Laptop and move to the least used, on the router. If I could not decide, I would let the router choose a channel based on it's own survey.
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I tried to remain child-like, all I achieved was childish. |
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jimbopalmer
Tsar of all the Rushers
join:2008-06-02
Greenwood, MS
·Windjammer Cable
| reply to alexk_il
I googled your ISP, and you may be in Israel and not mentioned it.
This limits your choices quite a lot.
»wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi
Only channels 3 through 9 are available to you legally. Ideally, users would only use 3 and 9, so they did not interfere, but I suspect most are set to channel 6, just to match US custom. Sorry.
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I tried to remain child-like, all I achieved was childish. |
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alexk_il
@bezeqint.net
| Hi,
Thanks for your help. I agree with you that it is probably the matter of the
congestion, since i can see almost 20 networks around me. Netstambler shows that
the channels 6 and 9 are the most populated ones.I've already tried configuring
my router to channels 1 and 3 (less polulated) with the same result.
I think that I would be required to look for a HW solution, but I am not sure
what would be the most cost effective approach. Will a new router provide
a smoother connection? Should I move to 802.11n? Will a 802.11n dongle
alone help with my old 802.1b/g router?
Thansk a lot
Alex |
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jimbopalmer
Tsar of all the Rushers
join:2008-06-02
Greenwood, MS
·Windjammer Cable
| reply to alexk_il
Darn, still no hint where you are.
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels
If you are in Israel, N only has 12 channels, so may be almost as crowded.
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I tried to remain child-like, all I achieved was childish. |
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alexk_il
@bezeqint.net
| Hi,
Sorry for not clearly stating this out. Your ISP tracking skills are excellent, I do live in Israel  .
Anyway, I am less considered with local radio-frequencies legislation, I just want the darn thing to work . If this requires for me to import a 5GHz wireless router, than let it be. But before doing so, I would like to make sure I've checked all other options.
Do you have an experience with Rangeboosters? Will 802.1N 2.4GH with three antennas increase the SNR? Are there any 5GHz 802.1n routers available? My laptop supports 802.1a (both 2.4 and 5GHz?) so perhaps this is also an option.
Thanks
Alex |
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