Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[prestont]

We are using the DIR-855 running 1.23NA in small office with maybe 10 users and 15-20 devices connecting. We run two wireless networks, on 2.5HGz and 5GHz and have no wired clients.

On a regular basis the wireless network drops for all users - you see basically no signal - and then recovers on its own about 30-60 seconds later.

It happens sometimes for all users and other times just for PC users (about 1/3 PC, 2/3 mac in the office).

Per a knowledge base article I found, we have disabled UPnP on the router. The PC's all also have UPnP disabled at this point I believe.  This might have reduced the issues for mac users somewhat but it is unclear.

We have not otherwise significantly changed the standard configuration.

Any suggestions?

[FurryNutz]

What wireless modes are you using?
Try single mode G or mixed G and N on each radio, 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz?
What security mode are you using? WEP, WPA or WPA2? Preferred is WPA-Personal. Auto TPIK and AES.
What wireless devices do you have connected?
Any cordless house phones?
Any other WiFi routers in the area?

[prestont]

Thank you for your reply. Answers are below:

What wireless modes are you using?
  - We were using Mixed N/G/B for 2.4 and Mixed n/a for 5.  I have switched 2.4 to N/G.
Try single mode G or mixed G and N on each radio, 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz?
What security mode are you using? WEP, WPA or WPA2? Preferred is WPA-Personal. Auto TPIK and AES.
  -- Using WPA-Personal, TPIK and AES with WPA mode set to 'Auto'.
What wireless devices do you have connected?
       About 10 Laptops, 1 wireless printer, and several iphones/ipads etc.
Any cordless house phones?
 -  Yes, there is one nearby. I can try moving it perhaps.
Any other WiFi routers in the area?
  -Yes, a bunch used by other small companies and  the local free wifi (Google's in mountain View)

[FurryNutz]

Might use InSSIDer app to see whos around you and what channel they are using. See if you can find on for the 2.4Ghz radio that nobody else is using.

How big is this office space? Sq Ft?

Def move the cordless phone if it's in the 2.4 or 5Ghz range.

[prestont]

Thanks again for your assistance.

- The office is about 800 sqft.

- I have disabled the cordless phone

- I checked using iStumbler and there doesn't appear to be any overlap issues on either the 2.4 or 5 networks.

[FurryNutz]

Possible that since thats a fairly small office, might try lowering the Power output of the radios from High to Mid and see. Try the Single modes first and see how it goes. Let us know.

[prestont]

To be sure I am clear, by Single mode you mean set 2.4 to G only and 5 to n only for instance?

[FurryNutz]

Yes, just to test.

[Syaoran]

I seem to have similar issues.  However, I live in an apartment building where I can pick up about 10 or so different networks in my unit.  In some cases, it happens whether wired or wireless but it's much more frequent with just the wireless only.  Are there any Android aps that I could use to check what everyone around me is using to try and troubleshoot this?

[FurryNutz]

There might be, I know the iPhone has apps for it. You can use InSSIDer application for PC as well.

[Syaoran]

Looking into this more.  I only seem to have the issue on wireless.  With my entire connection dropping, I've come to the conclusion that it's the Bell VDSL Medio Hub in Bridge mode that is soft freeaing under heavy traffic.  However, elimiating that from the mix, my Sidekick 4G and Wii have issues on the 2.4GHz G only.  My Sidekick 4G constantly disconnects and reconnects and the Wii is similar but not as frequent (as I don't use it as often).  5GHz straming HD conect via Netflix or ther stuff to my N based notebook works fine.  Sadly, my issue seems very similar to the thread in the HD Media 1000 thread, which I have also posted in.

[FurryNutz]

Possible that your near by vicinity area is congested with other WiFi routers on the same 2.4Ghz? Seems that if the 5Ghz is working, possible that not many other routers using the 5Ghz so it's not experiencing the same problem as the 2.4Ghz. Possible reason for the disconnects is the devices are having a hard time keeping a good connection with all the other WiFi routers near by.

[Syaoran]

Yeah.  That's my thought also.  Looking at the other router and someone else experiencing similar issues just makes me think I'm sort of stuck in terms of using wireless on the 2.4GHz band.  My phone doesn't support 5GHz, neither does the Wii, etc. 

[FurryNutz]

Ya, really feel that your area in so congested with 2.4Ghz radio that the poor router and devices are having a hard time trying to keep the connection.
One thing you can try if you haven't already, lower the power out put from HIGH to say Medium on the 2.4Ghz radio and see if by making the broadcast foot print smaller, maybe it might help keep the signals near you or in the room better for you.

One other thing you can do to make sure the router is working as I feel this is not a HW issue, I would take this router to a different location, where there are fewer WiFi routers around and check it out. Maybe a friend or family. I bet you the router will work better. 

One think you might try, might have to see who has the wifi near you and talk to them tactfully and explain to them that everyone's radios are causing interferences. Ask them to see if you could work out some channels and power settings for each one. I know this is crazy however you could talk to them about maybe combining your wifi access. All of you are is such close proximity, why not have a collective wifi and share the access and cost. You could all have the same SSID, just be on different channels. At least see if some of the near by router owns would be interested. Would really help everyone on the 2.4Ghz band. Just a suggestion.

Keep us posted.

[Syaoran]

That's the thing.  If I take the router to a non-congested location, I'm probably going to just leave it there.    I will try to make an effort to drag it with me the next time I head out of town though.  I really woudl like to 1005 say that it's because of the proximity to 8 other (looking at my phone currently) 2.4GHz SSID's.  Looking at the other router, I guess I was sort of hoping that the output was better to push the other services flooding my apartment back.  I really don't want to have to buy boosters for each room of my places though.  Is there a device that I could possibly buy that would scrambe specific wireless channels?  That way, I could lock the device to channel 6 for example and scramble every other channel on the 2.4GHz spectrum within range.