Wireless Networks Causing Headaches For Businesses

ElvaWSJ writes "Wi-Fi was supposed to reduce complications, not create new ones. But in many offices Wi-Fi has been a headache. Like all radio signals, Wi-Fi is subject to interference. Its low power — less than even a typical cellphone — means that walls and cabinets can significantly reduce signal strength. Wi-Fi also creates networks that are more open than wired ones, raising security issues. And Wi-Fi has caused problems for virtual private networks. Some VPNs require a lot of processing power. If a wireless access point — at home, at the office, or on the road — isn't robust enough, a user often gets bumped off the connection."

Comments

Re:Transmitter power

[morgan_greywolf]

lets see poor transmitter power output, integrated 1/8th wave PCB antennas, microwave frequencies, $3 of electronics
gee i wonder why its crap ? 1) To keep the cost down. Even 'commercial-grade' access points use inexpensive components to help keep the costs down to the point that people can afford them. Compare the cost of ham radio -- and then consider if you would buy a WAP that had that amount tacked on the sale price.

2) Government regulation. Governments around the world regulate these 2.4 GHz-range frequencies and given the number of devices in the range, transmitter power is kept necessarily low by regulation.

3) To keep the equipment from interfering with other devices such as cellphones, 2.4Ghz-range walkie talkies, and countless other devices that use this frequency range. See #2.

Re:Some buildings just aren't "Wi-Fi compatible"

[multipartmixed]

Try putting your WiFi AP in your basement, on a floor joist. If it really is the roof that's giving you grief, that might be far enough away to weaken multipathed signals out of detection.

You could also try decreasing the transmit power if you suspect multipathing. And, of course, lower the basic rate.