Home Wireless Channel? Which one?

[TechSupp]

Just started to get intermittent problems connecting to my wireless router (via wireless) at home and looking at my wi-fi analyser there are a few on the same channel around me. Could this be the problem? If so can I just select any of the channels (i.e. one that is not being used by anyone) even ch13?

Its only a b/g router so anyone got any suggestions for a replacement that would big b/g and n which gives good coverage. Its not for cable just broadband via the telephone line.

[Dos_Box]

Yes, pick one in the clear but remember you will actually span several channels. What analyser are you using? I highly recommend inSSIDer from MetaGeek. Edited December 21, 2010 by Dos_Box

[nicholab]

I would use any of the free tools to look at the channels in use ideal you should use 1,6 and 11. What can happen is people change ISP and use the default box settings.

[tech_guy]

This is becoming more of a problem. Five years ago a scan at home would pick up three wireless networks including my own. Today, when I do a scan I pick up over twenty not including my own two. And three of my neighbours are using unsecured WEP which is worrying.

[tech_guy]

I would use any of the free tools to look at the channels in use ideal you should use 1,6 and 11. What can happen is people change ISP and use the default box settings.

 

Yes, that's right - most of the wireless networks around me are Sky boxes with default settings.

[maniac]

I've got 12 near me, including a BTopenZone accesspoint from the restaurant down the road!

 

I just selected one at random and saw how it worked. If coverage was poor then I tried another one.

[TechSupp]

Yes, that's right - most of the wireless networks around me are Sky boxes with default settings.

 

Thats the exact problem, its getting very crowded, just changed to ch9 and its connected OK. For wi-fi analysis must admit to using a fee one for my HTC Desire. Works well and gives more info than I understand! (but does graph alot of it for simletons like me :-) ) Could really do with changing to one with n though as video is a bit jerky at times (ok more often than not!).

 

On the subject of seurity, what would you suggest the best security to be? WPA2-TKIP? or WPA2-AES?

 

Any suggestions for a 'n' router?

[AyatollahPies]

I've never had an issue with channel 11. Sky and BT seem to use the channels lower down the spectrum by default.

[TechSupp]

Yes was on 11, and that was busy!

 

Just looked at the router security and the only opions I have are WEP, PRE-SHARED KEY or Disabled!! Think its time for a new router with better security!

Edited December 21, 2010 by TechSupp

[difinity]

Cordless telephones, microwaves and baby monitors also operate around 2.4Ghz. However you won't be able to detect the interference if there is any without a spectrum analyser.

[AyatollahPies]

Racks of CDs and metal coat hangers near to the antenna can apparently cause problems too.

[Arthur]

Any suggestions for a 'n' router?

The last time I looked, the simultaneous dual-band NetGear WNDR3700 was a popular choice because it's fast and supports alternative firmwares such as DD-WRT. As this is only a router you would either need to use the ADSL modem on your current router or buy something like the Draytek Vigor 120 which would sit between the router and the ADSL line.

[SYNACK]

On the subject of seurity, what would you suggest the best security to be? WPA2-TKIP? or WPA2-AES?

 

WPA2-AES is way more secure and the actual standard, TKIP is an old type and is only included (breaking the WPA2 spec) for a little extra compatibility with old equipment. TKIP is full of holes though so AES is the preffered choice by a long shot. Reading your later post your current one only supports WEP so thats about a half hour of snooping to crack the key. Given the ammount of open ones around though by the sounds of it there are even easier targets around.

[maniac]

On the subject of seurity, what would you suggest the best security to be? WPA2-TKIP? or WPA2-AES?

 

WPA2-AES is better. TKIP is an old standard that is based on WEP and I believe has been recently cracked. A lot of new kit won't support TKIP soon.

 

Mike.

[Ric_]

If you live in a very densley populated area with lots of APs (and get on with your neighbours) ask them if they will turn down the power settings on their APs too. Explain that it will make their connection more stable and add a little more security.

 

You should def stick to the 1, 6, 11 (or 13 in the UK if AP and client both support it) to make sure that you get sufficient separation.

[TechSupp]

Trouble is those numbers are the ones that are quite busy, hence having a stab at 9. 13 is empty but need to check if old laptop would connect to it and daughters Ipod would recognise it. If they do I may go for that, and a new AP looks to be on the horizon too.

[m25man]

Why not switch to MIMo (40Mhz) and use all of the channels....

Or switch to one of the Ubiquiti devices, strap on a 12db antenna and uncheck the "adhere to local regulations" The 10 watts of ERP should make most of the 2.4ghz spectrum in your immediate location yours..... you won't be very popular though but there is every chance you could use your own wifi from the Pub half a mile away.

 

Then there's always the power line option.

Edited December 21, 2010 by m25man
iPad typo

[TechSupp]

After looking around and various reviews still not sure what to replace my Linksys with? Anyone know of a good dual band adsl wireless router, needs to work with win7, looking about the £70 to £90 region.

[TechSupp]

Well would you Adam and Eve it! Plumped for CH9, then that became busy, so went to CH1 OK till all the kids around here got wi-fi at christmas now its as busy and anything, so ended up on CH13, all equipment seem to be OK connecting. Hope it stays that way, due to it not being a bit of a standard on here in the UK.

[Ric_]

@TechSupp: Ch11 and Ch13 will conflict a little still but you will be further from Ch6. The prob with Ch9 is that it is slap bang in the middle of the interference from Ch6 AND Ch11!

 

The only way you can really win is to go for 802.11a or to get your neighbours to turn their power settings down.

 

I have a 3COM and a Cisco AP - both have dual radio and both cost me less than £30 on good old Fleabay.

[john]

@TechSupp: Ch11 and Ch13 will conflict a little still but you will be further from Ch6. The prob with Ch9 is that it is slap bang in the middle of the interference from Ch6 AND Ch11!

 

The only way you can really win is to go for 802.11a or to get your neighbours to turn their power settings down.

 

I have a 3COM and a Cisco AP - both have dual radio and both cost me less than £30 on good old Fleabay.

 

I'm going to have to send my sister back to uni with my Ruckus kit that I have at home I think to try and murder off the competition, blasted students and wireless!!! I don't fancy buying her fancy new APs and cards for her new netbook.

[nicholab]

That the other answer we all get ruckus at home!! Can it be edugeek branded firmware and box!!

[SYNACK]

The only way you can really win is to go for 802.11a or to get your neighbours to turn their power settings down.

 

Even 802.11a is not safe anymore as the same bands can be used by 802.11n which is becoming more prevelent. I think that the best idea as others have suggested is to get the dual band 11n gear that gives you the maximum amount of channels to choose from and sign a wireless non-agression pact with your neighbors.

Edited December 28, 2010 by SYNACK

[FN-GM]

This might sound silly but can you set it to Auto?

[john]

That the other answer we all get ruckus at home!! Can it be edugeek branded firmware and box!!

 

I'm sure Mark at Net Ctrl could organise that for us if enough people put the money up! Ruckus did however licence some antenna technology to Netgear in the past, although I did read somewhere abit of a legal strangle over the licence and stealing of ideas etc (the common thing in the IT world). The ones that had the Ruckus Technology in are the ones with the dome in the middle of the units and the LEDs under it. If you were to pull it apart you would see something fairly familar in design to the Ruckus so I believe.