Wifi - Aqua-Soft Forums

Hi everyone . I need some suggestions please. I have a wifi network at home and whenever I want to go online my card get overcrowded by the other wireless signals from the neighbours and I can't get to mine. :rant:

i was wondering if there is anything I can do to control to what i connect to?

anyhelp will be much appreciated

#135529

You could wrap your whole room in tinfoil

#135533

Originally posted by lostspyder@Mar 26 2004, 04:27 PM
You could wrap your whole room in tinfoil

so from your answer i assume there is nothing to do :blink:

#135542

this is really an issue when wifi becomes popular... what can be done? i wanted to put a wifi network here but i get really worried about stuff like that.

anyone know what can be done?

#135558

You could try changing channels on your card and router.

I think the best solution is to move to 802.11A. It's faster, and uses the 5Ghz frequency, so you don't have interference with 2.4Ghz devices.

This will work until everyone moves to A, then you're screwed.

#135565

Couldn't you just cut your connection and link into their wifi? - run all your ip's through their machines ??

#135570

Originally posted by contrasutra@Mar 26 2004, 09:46 PM
I think the best solution is to move to 802.11A. It's faster, and uses the 5Ghz frequency, so you don't have interference with 2.4Ghz devices.

contra, why A and not G? i heard all over that G was better than A cause it's more compatible and faster (not than A but than B ) and also, G has a wider range than A (100-150m as opposed to 25-75m) and is cheaper than A.

i may be saying stupid things cause i just got into the wifi searching (haven't actually bought anything - researching b4 spending money )

#135587

Block their router addresses, firewalls....uh cisco routers will do it. Call tech support.

#135588

uhh... isn't A the oldest and slowest? G is the fastest out there right now.

#135597

Originally posted by Menge@Mar 26 2004, 06:49 PM
contra, why A and not G? i heard all over that G was better than A cause it's more compatible and faster (not than A but than B ) and also, G has a wider range than A (100-150m as opposed to 25-75m) and is cheaper than A.

i may be saying stupid things cause i just got into the wifi searching (haven't actually bought anything - researching b4 spending money )

The reason G is compatible with B is because it's on the same frequency (2.4Ghz). Because of that, it will have the same interference problems as B.

A is on a higher frequency (5Ghz), so it doesn't have to compete with cell phones, microwaves, other wifi, etc. It also goes further (shorter wavelengths do that).

A is newer than B (dont ask me about the naming), but older than G. G and A are rated the same speed (54mbits), but in real tests, A is much faster because it doesn't have any of the interference.

#135602

I just went through this all myself. I looked @ "G" but you run into the same problem as "B". You will still run into the other networks interference because it still uses the same 2.4 band. If you go to "A" , yes its on the 5ghz band, not much there, but Menge is right the "A" spectrum is narrower. Less channels. 4 or 5 I think. In the end I went to a SMC Gigabit setup. 3 Nics=$90 and 1 5 port 10/100/1000 router $99 @ CompUSA. I cost me less than going to "A" or "G".

Contra got there 1st.

#135603

uhh... well, i'm gonna presume your AP and client are both in the same building. frankly, there's no reason that you shouldn't be able to choose to only connect to your AP.

first of all, make sure your AP isn't using the ssid of [default|linksys|airport], because windows will get confused. change it to something unique (tarik_wireless) so that the windows 'view available wireless networks' won't get confused.

also, someone suggested changing what channel you're on. if i were you, i'd go get myself a copy of NetStumbler (it's free) and see what channels have the most APs on them, then don't use one of those.

if none of these things work, you could try using a 3rd-party wireless card manager... namely the one that probably came with your card. (if you don't have the CD, you can probably download it from the manufacturer's website.)

if that still doesn't work, and your problem truly IS signal strength, i'd say you should take a trip to SeattleWireless and read up on how to make an antenna for your AP. personally, i'd recommend using a simple parabola made of wire mesh with your AP's stock antenna at the parabola's focus. that'll give you a nice signal boost in the direction that you point the parabola. but yeah, read up on it there.

anyway, best of luck.

oh, and this is all of course trying to save you on buying new hardware. i don't think you need to switch to 802.11a just because you can't see your AP... there are other solutions.

-Felix

#135633