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Wireless Networking - Wireless Antenna Boost Tips

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1. Place your router in a central location in your home – Placing your router near an outside wall will reduce your coverage with 50% of the signal going outside your home.

2. Weak signals come from weak placement- Your signal will be stronger when the least amount of obstructions is between you and the router. You will want to place your router up off the floor away from metal objects like stereos, computers, cd racks, and file cabinets.

3. Use Hi-gain router antennas – Most routers come with Omi – directional antennas that create about a 75ft to 100ft bubble. A High- Gain antenna will focus the routers towards one area thus boosting the signal strength and signal range. If you can’t purchase a High-Gain antenna you can point the default antenna towards the desired area. Also you can build your own Cantenna which will extend your signal for at least 200ft. You can also purchase PCMICA wireless adapters that you can attach a Cantenna.

4. Install a Repeater- Repeaters do not require any wiring to work just place the repeater halfway between your router or access point and your operational area. Use the same guide lines that applied to your router placement to your repeater.

5. Change your wireless channel-Unless you live in an apartment building or work in a large office building then you won’t have to worry about changing your channel. Some electronics such as cordless phones and walkie talkies can cause interference.

6. Upgrade the firmware- Firmware is the programs that run your router. Make sure to check with the manufactures website for any new updates. Often your routers web interface will have an option on how to upgrade the routers firmware. Firmware updates also can give your router new features such as better security and vpn support.

7. Vendor to Vendor- Because WI-FI is a set standard you should be able to connect to any router that is rated to your adapter 802.11b or 802.11g. To get the most speed and strength you should keep your router/access point and your adapter from the same company. Companies often will design there equipment to work best with its own gear.

8. Drivers for your Adapter-Make sure you check the vendor’s website for the latest driver updates for your wireless adapter. Also keep up to date with the latest windows xp updates.

Eric R. Meyer is an expert in wireless networking. You can view more articles like this at http://www.wirelessninja.com

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