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Author Topic: Auto Channel Selection  (Read 4721 times)

ktriebol

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Auto Channel Selection
« on: July 09, 2014, 06:46:38 AM »

When setting the WiFi channel on the DIR-880L, you have the option of selecting a specific channel, or the Auto selection. I am curious as to how the Auto channel selection actually works. I assume that if you are on Auto Channel, the router evaluates the WiFi environment for congestion during startup and then makes a decision as to what channel it will operate on. This is only my assumption and I could be totally wrong. Does anybody know how Auto Channel functions?

The situation is the same for 2.4GHz and 5GHz, but I am mainly concerned about 5GHz. I noticed that when I changed from a specific channel to Auto, I picked up about 200Mbps in speed and my signal strength went from 4.5 bars to 5 bars. I would call that very significant.
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wubing

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Re: Auto Channel Selection
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2014, 07:18:24 AM »

I'm connected 5GHz on 300mbps and transfer rate at 12MBps on my two Lenovo laptops using Intel WiFi adapters.
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ktriebol

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Re: Auto Channel Selection
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2014, 07:35:15 AM »

For reference, my desktop is about 15 feet as the crow flies from the router, and I am connected wirelessly with an Intel ac 7260 card. The signal goes through the wall of a steel pole building (maybe about 20 gauge steel), and a 6 inch insulated exterior wall of my house. Speed fluctuates between 520Mbps and 650Mbps. I suppose that is about right for these conditions.

I also have a Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop and have ordered an Intel ac 7260 card for that too. It should be here in a couple of days.
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FurryNutz

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Re: Auto Channel Selection
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2014, 08:43:07 AM »

What channel does the Auto seem to pick? Can you manually set to that channel and see if the same speeds appear or not?

5Ghz is effected buy building materials especially concrete and metal and is best in Line of Sight or maybe one wooden all way. 5ghz for me has worked well up to about 20-25 feet before I notice some degradation in range and signal.

When setting the WiFi channel on the DIR-880L, you have the option of selecting a specific channel, or the Auto selection. I am curious as to how the Auto channel selection actually works. I assume that if you are on Auto Channel, the router evaluates the WiFi environment for congestion during startup and then makes a decision as to what channel it will operate on. This is only my assumption and I could be totally wrong. Does anybody know how Auto Channel functions?

The situation is the same for 2.4GHz and 5GHz, but I am mainly concerned about 5GHz. I noticed that when I changed from a specific channel to Auto, I picked up about 200Mbps in speed and my signal strength went from 4.5 bars to 5 bars. I would call that very significant.
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Cable: 1Gb/50Mb>NetGear CM1200>DIR-882>HP 24pt Gb Switch. COVR-1202/2202/3902,DIR-2660/80,3xDGL-4500s,DIR-LX1870,857,835,827,815,890L,880L,868L,836L,810L,685,657,3x655s,645,628,601,DNR-202L,DNS-345,DCS-933L,936L,960L and 8000LH.

ktriebol

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Re: Auto Channel Selection
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2014, 08:58:33 AM »

When I switched to Auto yesterday, it picked channel 149 (I had been manually on 36 before that). Anyway, I just now switched over to channel 149 manually, and I am getting the same results as when it was on channel 149 using Auto (5 bars signal strength, and 520 to 650 Mbps speed). I guess that tells me that the improved results is not so much a result of using Auto as it is something inherent in channel 149 (compared to channel 36).
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FurryNutz

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Re: Auto Channel Selection
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2014, 09:33:30 AM »

I have heard that in some cases the higher the channel is the better. I'll check this out as well.  ;)
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Cable: 1Gb/50Mb>NetGear CM1200>DIR-882>HP 24pt Gb Switch. COVR-1202/2202/3902,DIR-2660/80,3xDGL-4500s,DIR-LX1870,857,835,827,815,890L,880L,868L,836L,810L,685,657,3x655s,645,628,601,DNR-202L,DNS-345,DCS-933L,936L,960L and 8000LH.