Ways Of Improving Wireless Signal

[mc-dexter]

Ok so basically was just wondering if i could use the spare wireless router i have to boost the signal of my main router?

[a111087]

http://www.oreillynet.com/cs/weblog/view/wlg/448
Hands-on FUN!!!

[Mussels]

there are a lot of ways, with the info you gave us i cant tell you anything.

We need to know the physical layout, distances, and the hardware involved.

[mc-dexter]

The distance isnt that far... nobody seems to get a great signal round here, but anyways, its not terrible, but i'd like to see it on more than 1bar in the same house, lol.

hardware would be: 1 sweex wireless router (G), 1x netgear wireless router (G), 2x wireless G usb dongle's, 2x internal pci wireless cards (G)... obviously all those are split out between computers/laptop.

[Mussels]

thats still not telling me very much.

What is this spare router - does it have an access point mode, is there a location thats more central to the users you can move the router to, etc.

Two easy solutions would be:

1. Set the 2nd router to access point mode, and locate it as close as possible to the people with a poor signal. Run an ethernet cable to it.

2. Relocate the first router to one half of the house, and the 2nd to the other half. This would split the coverage 50/50 and could help everyone.

You could also try replacing aerials on the routers/access points, or firmware mods if they exist to boost the signal. Hell, you could also make a cantenna or tin foil reflector to boost it in the right direction if you wanted.

[IggSter]

Well depending on the capabilities/software install on each router there are two distinct ways you can do this.

1. You can connect the two routers together with a cat5e cable (switch port on WAN router to switch port on 2nd router, which will have to be set in access point mode). This will create 2 distinct wireless coverage areas that will no doubt overlap. Each wireless device you have, will then be able to see these two wireless networks and you can connect to the best one.

2. You can connect the 2 routers wirelessly and create one extended wireless network. Your wireless devices will then see only one "super" wireless network and be able to roam anywhere there is coverage.

[hat]

cantenna. Buy a few cans of pringles and put them on the existing antennas of your wireless devices.

[ktr]

The quickest, easiest, and sure way to improve wireless signal/throughput is trying to play with the channels (1ch-11ch)...and if your router has the option...the power levels as well. You will be surprised what a different channel's outcome is. Also having a high power level doesn't mean better. It produces more noise, and has a higher chance of interference with other devices and physical structures...so you have to balance that out as well.

[mc-dexter]

Originally Posted by Mussels

thats still not telling me very much.

What is this spare router - does it have an access point mode, is there a location thats more central to the users you can move the router to, etc.

Two easy solutions would be:

1. Set the 2nd router to access point mode, and locate it as close as possible to the people with a poor signal. Run an ethernet cable to it.

2. Relocate the first router to one half of the house, and the 2nd to the other half. This would split the coverage 50/50 and could help everyone.

You could also try replacing aerials on the routers/access points, or firmware mods if they exist to boost the signal. Hell, you could also make a cantenna or tin foil reflector to boost it in the right direction if you wanted.

1: Yes it has an access point mode.

2: We are unable to move the modem/router into any better position.

3: Think i'll check for a firmware update... See how that goes