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Ask Slashdot: Overcoming Convention Hall Wi-Fi Interference?

Posted by timothy on from the easy-enough-kill-all-the-users dept.

bbowman writes "One of my job responsibilities is to set up the small network for our company's exhibit at the trade shows we attend. The mobile demo devices we use depend upon a reliable Wi-Fi connection to a router I have in the exhibit. In the days leading up to the opening of the trade show, W-iFi connections are reliable and work as expected. However, as soon as the show opens none of our devices can reliable maintain a Wi-Fi connection to the router. The devices we use at the trade shows are Windows-based laptops, iPods/iPads, Android tablets, and a variety of Wi-Fi enabled cell phones. I have tried using channels 1, 6, and 11 (as well as the others) and used different routers (Linksys, D-Link, Netgear) without success. I'm sure it is likely that there are poorly insulated electrical cabling, fluorescent lighting, and other issues that would contribute to Wi-Fi interference in the convention hall. A quick scan shows dozens and dozens of discoverable Wi-Fi networks nearby. If I take the router back to my hotel room, I have zero connection problems. How can I overcome this so that Wi-Fi works reliably in the convention hall?"

3 of 251 comments (clear)

  1. Wrong assumptions by mrmagos · · Score: 5, Informative
    Given this:

    In the days leading up to the opening of the trade show, W-iFi connections are reliable and work as expected. However, as soon as the show opens none of our devices can reliable maintain a Wi-Fi connection to the router.

    I doubt it's this:

    I'm sure it is likely that there are poorly insulated electrical cabling, fluorescent lighting, and other issues that would contribute to Wi-Fi interference in the convention hall.

    ...and more likely this:

    A quick scan shows dozens and dozens of discoverable Wi-Fi networks nearby.

    I would recommend trying a few things:
    - Reduce your RTS threshold, if your AP supports it.
    - Reduce the fragmentation threshold, if your AP supports it.
    - Play with data rates, reducing them if your AP supports it.

    If your AP does not support any of those options, go out and get a real AP.

    --
    Never start vast projects with half-vast ideas.
  2. Directional antenna by Scutter · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why not simply use a narrow-field directional antenna for your demo? If you're just feet away from it, it seems unlikely that other nearby networks would be strong enough to drown out the signal.

    --

    "Tell me doctor, with all of your defenses, are there any provisions for an attack by killer bees?"
  3. Re:Nicolas Cage by clyde_cadiddlehopper · · Score: 5, Insightful

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_cage

    --
    Obi-Wan: "I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were sudden