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[Broomies Mate]

I know we have some Networking Geeks on here, and I ask them for some advice please.

Home WiFi Help.

All discoverable WiFi networks (including my own) are supplied by Sky.

They all have later Routers than me (Mine is the Sagem F@ST 2304)..... Not that it matters, as we only have Copper in this area.  I can see the exchange form the bedroom window, and currently get 21Mpbs D/L and 1.9Mbps U/L.  Using Ethernet, there is no problem, but I am suffering some lack of speed via WiFi.

Here is a InSSider view of the networks;




Am I right to have chosen Channel 1, or should I go back to Channel 6?  I am (NUMBER19) in Green.... My closest Neighbour is on Channel 11 (Blue).

-50dBm is pretty poor, considering I'm only a few feet from the Router.  I cannot relocate the Router.  Would a more modern Router improve this?  Bare in mind, the closest Neighbour, his Router must be at least 40 feet from me, and only a -9dBm difference....... I have no directional Aerial on the Router.  It is as high as I can possibly place it.

Whatdyareckon? 

[Kevin Wood]

-50dBm is actually quite a respectable signal level. If the connection is poor at that level I'd say you have a poor router or there is other interference on that frequency. Do you know of any wireless video senders in the area, for example?

You could get a router that supports 5GHz, I suppose. It won't penetrate as far inside a building but you'll get a clear channel for it to work in.

[Gaffers]

You would be suprised how many different protocols use 2.4mhz (B,G WiFi) or can produce noise in that band.

It looks like channel 1 would be the best choice, unless you have somebody using a hidden SSID on that channel. Signal also depends on the siting of the router.  Furniture, christmas lights, baby monitors even bluetooth can all disrupt WiFi signal.  Unfortunately SSIDer only shows identified WiFi.  You could try using Kali to identify hidden SSIDs or if you have a radio scanner that would give the best picture as to what is happening.

[TheBoy]

In (very) simplistic terms, what you are aiming for is reducing overlapping channels. This is far worse than sitting bang on top of another channel.

So, looking at that, Channel 1 is the obvious choice.

However, there is so much shite in the 2.4Ghz band it might be worth trying 6 or 11 to see if things improve.  As 6 and 11 are in use, no point trying anything other than 1, 6 or 11 as you will get overlapping, which WILL cause a lot of interference (and thus re-xmits).  Sitting bang on top of another one is less of a problem, as they are talking exactly on same frequency, and can moderate the conversation rather than shout over the top of it.

[Broomies Mate]

Thanks for your help chaps.

I'll stick with Channel 1, as when on Ch6, I'd get random disconnection issues..... at least on Ch1, the connection is stable from all of our devices, if not a bit slooooow on occasion.

Guffer, inSSider will show hidden SSID's, and there are currently none in a discoverable area.  Radio scanner?  No, I don't have a scanner or spectrum analyser.  Can't afford that sort of thing! 

Kev 5GHz would be the way forward, but my TV's and some other WiFi devices don't support it.... can you have the same SSID broadcast over both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands? 

TB:  CH1 is the only channel (I've only bothered with 1,6&11 for obvious reasons) which gives a stable connection.  6 & 11, I suffer drop-outs of connection.

I think I might try a different, more modern Router, perhaps something with directional antennae to help a little.  Or is that a waste of time & money?

[TheBoy]

If you do get a new router, might be worth trying to get a simultaneous dual band (not all can simultaneously do 2.4 and 5GHz).

Your mileage with 5GHz may vary, as although less congested (but your 2.4Ghz looks uncongested), it doesn't penetrate walls so well.

Many dual band APs allow both bands to share SSID and key - its 100% up to the client which is used, so you will get variations between each device.

Spending decent money on decent routers does make a difference - all ISP routers are generally poor.


FWIW, I can see 32 APs from where I'm sat right now - I'm in a pretty busy Wifi area.  I'm sharing Ch1 with 8 others.  No overlapping. Rock solid connection, but only around 17Mbps actual throughput (from a claimed 54MBps - I have disabled the N capability on the router to improve connection reliability at the expense of speed).

[Broomies Mate]

If you do get a new router, might be worth trying to get a simultaneous dual band (not all can simultaneously do 2.4 and 5GHz).

Your mileage with 5GHz may vary, as although less congested (but your 2.4Ghz looks uncongested), it doesn't penetrate walls so well.

Many dual band APs allow both bands to share SSID and key - its 100% up to the client which is used, so you will get variations between each device.

Spending decent money on decent routers does make a difference - all ISP routers are generally poor.


FWIW, I can see 32 APs from where I'm sat right now - I'm in a pretty busy Wifi area.  I'm sharing Ch1 with 8 others.  No overlapping. Rock solid connection, but only around 17Mbps actual throughput (from a claimed 54MBps - I have disabled the N capability on the router to improve connection reliability at the expense of speed).

Thanks TB - That is helpful.  As you say, my area is very sparsely populated (with 802.11x Networks), I can't say for other devices which could impact the performance.

I reckon my Router is just a bag of pants.  I'll upgrade to a Simultaneous Dual-Band Router, and report back.

Any suggestions as to what to go for?  I don't mind spending the money if it will be beneficial.  As previously mentioned, the location of the Router shouldn't cause any problems for the 5Ghz signal (it's in the room I mostly use for Internet Access).

I take it, if I'm connected with this laptop for example on 802.11a to the 5GHz band and I wander out to the car for a bit of diagnostics work, will the Network Card auto switch to the 2.4GHz band (802.11n), or will I manually have to re-connect?  (Intel WLAN card, Dual Band, Windows 10).

Thanks again, fella. 

[TheBoy]

I take it, if I'm connected with this laptop for example on 802.11a to the 5GHz band and I wander out to the car for a bit of diagnostics work, will the Network Card auto switch to the 2.4GHz band (802.11n), or will I manually have to re-connect?  (Intel WLAN card, Dual Band, Windows 10).

Which AP to pick is 100% up to the client.  In the case of Windows, this decision will be a combination of Microsoft algorithms and Intel drivers, so not entirely predictable.  Also, if this is what you are after, check the Wifi device is capable of automatically selecting 2.4 or 5, as some (generally older ones) are switchable only.