RE: Wireless Networking Woes

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From: Lenard (anonymous_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 02/12/04 

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 10:01:05 -0800

Hi,
I have a 'G' router and card, and it does not perform as I'd have expected. I have the router upstairs and the other systems downstairs and unpstairs. The one downstairs gets 40-50% signal, which I think is not what it should be. It works fine- 40-50 is plenty, but I expected more.

My advice to you is this: if your main objective is to share your broadband connection, then a 'B' network at 11mbps would suffice no problem. Don't forget that the quickest home dsl runs at a max of 1.5-3.0, or if you have cable maybe sometimes a little quicker. I hear that the older 802.11b's had longer range.

If this does not work for you, the only other options you have is using a 'bridge' somewhere in between your upstairs and downstairs. THey go for about the same price as a router, maybe a little less, and will extend your network. Another thing you could try, which would surely work, is to purchase a high power router and card (not available at your average computer/network store- though if you search online you'll find some... one such company that I can think of offhand is 3com) They are expensive, but claim to work.

Good luck.