Most modern wireless router standards for Wi-Fi assume that the
router uses the standard 2.4-Ghz band for data transmission.
Unfortunately, the proliferation of wireless devices has caused the
2.4-Ghz band to become extremely crowded in many places where competing
networks and devices are common. This causes your wireless network to be
slow or to drop data and connections. While the newer dual-band
wireless router solutions offer a way to use the less common 5-Ghz band
to work around these issues, there are still some tricks that help keep
your 2.4-Ghz network running at the best possible speed.
DO: Place your router as centrally as possible
Wireless signals decay with distance, so it's important to make
sure your router is as central as possible to the area where you use
your network. This helps insure that your router is the strongest signal
source in the area and your signal is subject to the minimum of
interference.
DO: Use a wireless bridge or repeater to extend your signal
Sometimes it's not possible to be close enough to the router to
eliminate interference due to architectural concerns or simple distance.
In this case, a wireless repeater or bridge boosts the signal in these
areas and helps keep your network available. This is a great way to
re-use an older router if you have recently upgraded or have one handy.
Most routers are configurable to operate in a repeater mode for exactly
this purpose.
DON'T: Leave your network unsecured
Unsecured networks are sometimes slower than secured networks
due to either other devices accidentally attaching to the network or
other people deliberately taking advantage of the free access point.
Securing your network with a password both prevents many privacy and
security concerns and keeps unauthorized devices from taking your
bandwidth and crowding your network.
DON'T: Use an outdated wireless standard
Virtually all wireless routers implement some version of the
802.11 wireless router standards. Newer versions like 802.11g, 802.11n
and 802.11ac sometimes see considerable performance and stability boosts
even in the standard 2.4-Ghz channel. Make sure both your router and
any communicating devices are using the latest version of this standard
that they support. You typically are able to set your router to the
latest possible standard as the standards are backward-compatible,
except to much older devices.
Operating your router on the standard 2.4-Ghz frequency is
sometimes frustrating in places with a lot of interference or where
there are many competing networks. In some cases, nothing other than a
switch to a dual-band device helps. However, keeping your router
optimally placed and supported by bridges and repeaters makes a
considerable difference, as does securing your network and making
certain your devices are using the latest 802.11 standards.
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