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Author Topic: Wireless Installation Considerations  (Read 58366 times)

FurryNutz

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Wireless Installation Considerations
« on: May 14, 2012, 02:05:21 PM »

The D-Link wireless router lets you access your network using a wireless connection from virtually anywhere within the operating range of your wireless network. Keep in mind that the number, thickness and location of walls, ceilings, or other objects that the wireless signals must pass through, may limit the range. Typical ranges vary depending on the types of materials and background RF (radio frequency) noise in your home or business. 

Links>Why Does My Wi-Fi Connection Drop? and Managing Signal Congestion and Article on Troubleshooting Weak Wi-Fi, SmallNetBuilder Explanation of Link Speed vs Data Transfer Speed and Hidden SSID Info
The key to maximizing wireless range is to follow these basic guidelines:

1. Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the D-Link router and other network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your adapter’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your devices so that the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.

2. Be aware of the direct line between network devices. A wall that is 1.5 feet thick (.5 meters), at a 45-degree angle appears to be almost 3 feet (1 meter) thick. At a 2-degree angle it looks over 42 feet (14 meters) thick! Position devices so that the signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling (instead of at an angle) for better reception.

3. Building Materials make a difference. A solid metal door or aluminum studs may have a negative effect on range. Try to position access points, wireless routers, and computers so that the signal passes through drywall or open doorways. Materials and objects such as glass, steel, metal, walls with insulation, water (fish tanks), mirrors, file cabinets, brick, and concrete will degrade your wireless signal.

4. Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical devices or appliances that generate RF noise.

5. If you are using 2.4GHz cordless phones or X-10 (wireless products such as ceiling fans, lights, and home security systems), your wireless connection may degrade dramatically or drop completely. Make sure your 2.4GHz phone base is as far away from your wireless devices as possible. The base transmits a signal even if the phone in not in use.

Antenna Positioning
The following image illustrates the configuration of each DGL/DIR series router external antenna on both recommended positions:



DIR-89xL series:


*These positions will allow for optimal transmission to and reception from, your wireless clients and this configuration information only applies to routers with external antenna connections. Routers with internal antenna, this does not apply to them.

Use of Wifi scanners:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/network-analyzer-lite-wifi/id562315041?mt=8 Free

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wifi_information_view.html Free

https://www.acrylicwifi.com/en/wlan-software/wlan-scanner-acrylic-wifi-free/ Free

https://lizardsystems.com/wi-fi-scanner/screenshots.php

http://nutsaboutnets.com

http://www.metageek.com/products/inssider/ $20
NOTE: InSSIDer is no longer free.  :(

NOTE: Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate. Environmental factors will adversely affect wireless signal range. Wireless range and speed rates are D-Link RELATIVE performance measurements based on the wireless range and speed rates of a standard Wireless G product from D-Link. Maximum throughput based on D-Link Wireless N devices. Maybe some regions out side of the NA region may be effected by this...Reason for not seeing but only 4 channels on 5Ghz:
 Dynamic Frequency Selection and
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/basics/wireless-basics/33082-smallnetbuilder-s-wi-fi-dynamic-frequency-selection-dfs-faq

Video
Improving Your Wireless Range
Note: External antenna mentioned in video only apply to routers with external antenna connections. Routers with internal antenna's can not use external antenna solutions.

Some reading
https://www.duckware.com/tech/wifi-in-the-us.html
Cordless phone and WiFi Interference
What are the top five Wi-Fi interferences?
What is 11AC Wi-Fi?
The Best Way To Get Whole House Wireless Coverage
Networking 101: When To Use (And Not Use) A Network Repeater
WiFi Roaming: https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-features/33196-wi-fi-roaming-secrets-revealed-part-2

Wiki: >IEEE 802.11 Specification
>List of Wireless Channels
FCC and IEEE 802.11 Channel Information
http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wireless/f/wirelessspeed.htm
http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wireless80211/a/aa80211standard.htm
AC1900 Wireless QAM Modulation and Channel Width FAQ

HT20/40 Co-existence:
"20/40 Coexistence mode is the play nice nearest neighbor policy...when it's off you will get a wider 40mhz channel in 11n thus through put will go up...however you will starve off Mixed 11g and 11n 20Mhz mode.  Using 20 only will reduce the throughput, but it will play nice with others (Nieghboring WiFi routers/APs).  Coexistence means that it can do both based on the results of a carrier quality at the time of transmission. Default is ON for D-Link routers."
Link>20/40 MHz Coexistence

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-features/31743-bye-bye-40-mhz-mode-in-24-ghz-part-1
and
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-features/31744-bye-bye-40-mhz-mode-in-24-ghz-part-2
AC1900 QAM Modulation and Channel Width FAQ

MU-MIMO:
http://blog.dlink.com/antennas-the-more-the-merrier/
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-features/32898-is-mu-mimo-ready-for-prime-time
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-howto/32944-how-we-test-mu-mimo

These are but a few articles that explain some things about wireless and I'm sure there are others that go into detail more.
« Last Edit: June 18, 2018, 08:23:21 AM by FurryNutz »
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