How Best To Deal With WiFi Interference?

marciot writes "I live in a condominium where I get interference from my neighbors' WiFi. I understand that 1, 6 and 11 are the only non-overlapping WiFi channels, but how does this translate into real-life best practices? When you must overlap, is there a 'good' way to do it? With nine access points, for example, is it better to have three APs each on 1, 6 and 11, so that each completely overlaps with only two others? Or is it best to distribute those APs across nine channels such that they only partially overlap others (but potentially overlap more APs in total)? Do use patterns affect interference? For example, is it best to overlap a channel with multiple APs that rarely transfers data, or to share a channel with one person who downloads torrents 24/7? Does maximum data rate affect interference or robustness to interference? I found out by accident that setting my access point to '802.11b only' mode appeared to give me a vastly more reliable connection that leaving it in 'mixed 802.11b/g.' Is this a fluke? Or does transmitting at 10 Mbps when everyone else is using 54 Mbps (for their 3 Mbps DSL pipes!) give you a true advantage?"

Comments

Solution

[pondermaster]

Go back to wired, if you can. Really, you will enjoy the speed increase.

Re:Solution

[Distortions]

Yeah, unless its impractical to run a wire to where you need it... go for wired.

Wired gives you better speed, reliability and security.

Re:Solution

[icebraining]

It should be, yes, but nowadays I see wireless being installed everywhere, even when not needed. I know people who connect their desktop to the modem 10 feet away by wireless. And two months ago I went to a big store to buy a simple ethernet card and they told me "nobody produces them anymore, get wireless".

I have a Cat5 from my living room to my bedroom (65 feet) across the ceiling and it's great, I get incredible speeds in transfers from one computer to the other!

Re:Solution

[couchslug]

"And two months ago I went to a big store to buy a simple ethernet card and they told me "nobody produces them anymore, get wireless"."

A classic salestard in action, and yet another reason to shop online.

Re:Solution

[Lumpy]

Upgrade to N or A and call it done.

in fact I find at a friends place A is perfect as B,G,N are full, but A is an open wasteland.

Re:Solution

[zippthorne]

Hey, wait.. I do that. The AP is literally ~12 feet away from the computer that uses it. 12 feet, mostly vertical.

Seriously, though, If you've only got one or two computers, wires are pretty unsightly, and the only way to get rid of them is a *lot* of work and considerable up-front expense (compared to a chap wireless route) if you don't already have the tools or know someone with the tools. And how many people have fish tape, really.

Make a DIY Directional Antenna

[wilby]

I spend a lot of time in hotels. When I have problems getting WIFI was it always form interference. I have solved the problem by using external USB adapter (with a 12ft USB cable). Relocating the antenna (adapter) is usually all that is needed to solve the problem. In extreme cases I need to use the "foil sheet". I keep a sheet of aluminum foil in an 8.5x11 plastic sleeve in my laptop case. The sheet will block WIFI from one direction, and make a USB adapter that is directional.

amazing

[abonstu]

it never ceases to amazes me the number of replies which just plain dont answer the question.

the dude asked how he can optimise his existing wireless solution - not whether he should buy new wireless hardware or switch to a wired network.

(clearly im not answering the question either... but at least im not karma whoring and trying to pose as an answer)

Re:amazing

[Anonymous Coward]

If he doesn't know enough to answer his question, there's a reasonable chance he also doesn't know enough to ask the right questions. It's quite valid to give answers to questions he should have asked, but didn't.

Get a 5ghz 802.11 a/n access point

[Whizzmo2]

You can't fix everyone else's access points, but you can change yours. As several people have mentioned, 5Ghz may be the way to go. 5Ghz offers considerably more (usable!) channels than 2.4 Ghz. Combined with 802.11n channel widths, you should be able to get plenty of bandwidth anywhere in your house.

Example: Netgear WNHDE111

Bonuses:

• "WPA2-only" mode. Combined with a good password, this should keep out nearly all undesirables.
• Transmit power adjustment (low/med/high). No need to broadcast at high power if all you need is low or medium. Lower power = lower chance of interference to others, lower chance of discovery by sniffers.

--Whizzmo

"I don't do it, so they must not either" BS

[The Living Fractal]

Or does transmitting at 10 Mbps when everyone else is using 54 Mbps (for their 3 Mbps DSL pipes!) give you a true advantage?"

...Yes, because all people ever do is transfer data to their '3Mbps DSL pipes!'... never between two computers on the same network. I mean, that's just ludicrous. /sarcasm

Re:Spread the channels

[frdmfghtr]

Currently I can detect between 11 and 16 on a regular basis, with maybe another 7 or 8 APs that only show up now & then depending on time of day/weather/phase of moon etc.

With that many visible, why even deal with your own...use one of theirs! :)

Re:Or channel 14

[couchslug]

"Any idea how big the FCC fine is for transmitting on a licensed band without a license? Do they send you to PMITA prison?"

Any idea if they have the time and money to spend sniffing for transmissions that don't step on people who have the slightest way to know they are being stepped on and hence will never report it? :)