wireless networking - Which wifi device to use

07
2014-07
  • reiley

    I've a wireless router on my ground floor.

    And my system is in first floor and for its connection I'm using a wifi adapter, which works fine.

    But on first floor, the connectivity on phones and tablets in week and breaks down every now and then.

    Which device should I use on first floor to get connectivity on all devices there?

    Thank You

    • Answers
  • Ashesh

    Having the WiFi at some other level than your devices is a bad idea. The coverage will be poor as the radio waves are emitted parallel to the length of the antenna.

    However you can improve on this situation

    1. Adjust your antenna, if you do most of your networking at the upper floor, make the antenna parallel to the ground instead of keeping it perpendicular.

    2. Use a Wi-Fi Repeater, just get any old or budget Wi-Fi router and set it on the "repeater/bridge" setting, this will greatly improve the signal. (YOUR ANSWER)

    3. Find the Right Wireless Channel, If you have neighbours, their routers may be interfering with yours and causing the signal to degrade. Wireless routers can operate on a number of different channels, and you want yours on a channel with as little interference as possible. Use a tool like Wi-Fi Stumbler or Wi-Fi Analyzer for android.

    4. Increase Wi-Fi Range with DIY Tricks, make custom (cheap) antennas. The Windsurfer tin foil hack works well for me. You may even buy a high dB anteena but that will cost you something and will work only if you have a detachable antenna.

    5. Use a Custom Firmware for your router such as Gargoyole Router management or DD-WRT to overclock the broadcasting signal (be careful with this one)

    6. Find your WiFi Sweet Spot, make a WiFi strength Map of your house using free tools like Ekahu WiFIMapper

    7. If none of the above satisfies you, move your router.

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    wireless networking - Please recommend a good wifi to ethernet device
  • Fantomas

    I need that because I am running a free version of iESX server and there is very little that I can configure in the OS itself. The server is sitting rather far from my router and I want to get rid of that cable.

    Now, I have seen a device which is allows to cut a cable with a transmitter and a receiver. Ideally I just want a receiver because my router is already transmitting stuff.

    If you have successfully used a wifi to ethernet adapter / bridge, then please recommend it here. Thank you.


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  • Russ Warren

    If you have an old Linksys WRT54G laying around, you can stick DD-WRT on it and it will work as a wireless bridge for you. This is what I have to do for my AV rack until I find the time to run cables over there.

    If you don't have a compatible router, you can try picking one up off eBay or Craigslist for cheap.