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Cutting Through a Wi-Fi Traffic Jam?
eric3xxx asks: "A week or so after Christmas, I tried to connect to my home wireless network and while I could see my access point I could not connect. After scanning the network, it turned out that there were at least twenty new access points in my apartment building (and in the surrounding buildings). Most of them had names such as 'linksys' and were all set on their respective vendors default channel (apparently a lot of people received 802.11b/g WAPs as presents). I tried changing the channel on my access point, starting at 1 and continuing through all of the channels, and none of them worked (probably since the channels overlap). In any case, I have no clear solution to this problem. I suppose I could boost the signal, however, that also increases noise. Perhaps I could convince my neighbors to put together a shared wireless network. I may just switch to 802.11a since it isn't as widely used." Has anyone else had success in configuring their APs to work in an areas of heavy wireless traffic?
How about some Wi-Fi Proof Paint? Or just freeload on your neighbor's network...
Okay, here's the procedure: (1) Call your DSL or Cable provider and cancel your internet, (2) sell your wireless router on eBay, (3) choose an unsecured connection and go nuts. Simple, no? Plus it has the advantage that when the MPAA or RIAA come knocking, it won't be on your door...
Or you could install a Faraday cage in your apartment. Much more expensive, but much more cool IMO.
Every year during my review, I just pray the words "slashdot.org" aren't mentioned.
I'd probably opt to cooperate rather than isolate, specifically:
:-D
1) Contact the neighbors (door to door, flyers, etc) and inform them of the problem, offer to secure their WAP's and put them on a Wi-Fi co-op that would give the entire complex a single Wi-Fi connection
2) Contact an ISP that's willing (I know Speakeasy, Slashdot's sponsor is doing this) and get a big pipe from them (High power DSL or T-1)
3) Set up one WAP as the main station and configure everyone else as a repeater
Advantages:
1) Big fat Wi-Fi pipe
2) Wide range (entire complex and then some)
3) Everyone has tighter security if you know how to set up Wi-Fi properly
4) Joint budgets make this more affordable
Disadvantages:
1) Bandwidth hogs (though it can be mitigated)
2) Bickering neighbors or those who refuse for whatever reasons (good diplomacy skills here)
3) Large initial expense (those T-1's aren't cheap if you go that route, good equipment and setup charge investments involved)
So far it hasn't been a problem in my area, I personally appreciate being the one secure well guarded WAP with 3 other Default SSID's around me
Unfortunately if this isn't plausible for you, I fear you might be stuck going 802.11a or how about just plugging in the ol' cat 5/6 again?
...in bed
No, no, no. You need to think 'efficiency' and 'best utilization of available resources'.
Install a computer that connects to many open access points, and get more than 10Mbps overall. Hopefully you can find enough (up to six non-overrlapping) to get 18Mbps or more.
Of course, the reality is that everyone in the apartment installed their own, but since they all conflict they are all using the one that doesn't conflict, and boy is that guy mad. His connections been 80% slower since he got wireless!
-Adam
Read the FCC notice for your WAP lately?
There's a reason folks that're "serious" about RF tech shy away from Part 15 gear.
I quote:
"This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.(emphasis mine)
Part 15 devices have no protection, no guarantee of function.
Seems quite the platform to base your IT world on, don't it.
Title 47 CFR:
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/rules/
Senior NCO in the fight against entropy. I've seen things, man. Things no one should have to see.....
Antennas get their gain by boosting the signal in one direction at the expense of signal in other directions. Your typical 8 dBi "omnidirectional" antenna sends very little of its signal up or down, while greatly increasing the signal it sends in the horizontal plane. Result: less interference for your upstairs & downstairs neighbors, and a much stronger signal on your level.
Or get a 14 dBi panel antenna (which focuses its signal in about a 60 degree arc IIRC) and stick it in a corner of your apartment.
The solution isn't adding more power or screwing with the neighbors' access points - it's
using external antennas to send the signal where you want it to go
figuring out which neighbor's AP is interfering with your signal the most and nicely asking him to choose another channel