Troubleshooting
40
Problem:
My wireless network performance is inconsistent.
Data transfer is sometimes slow.
Signal strength is poor.
Difficulty establishing and/or maintaining a Virtual Private Network
(VPN) connection.
Solution:
Wireless technology is radio-based, which means connectivity and the
throughput performance between devices decreases when the distance
between devices increases. Other factors that will cause signal degradation
(metal is generally the worst culprit) are obstructions such as walls and
metal appliances. As a result, the typical indoor range of your wireless
devices will be between 100 to 200 feet. Note also that connection speed
may decrease as you move farther from the router (or access point).
In order to determine if wireless issues are related to range, we suggest
temporarily moving the computer, if possible, from five to 10 feet away from
the router.
Changing the wireless channel - Depending on local wireless traffic and
interference, switching the wireless channel of your network can improve
performance and reliability. The default channel the router is shipped with
is channel 11; you may choose from several other channels depending on
your region. See “Changing the Wireless Channel” on page [INSERT REAL
PAGE NUMBER HERE] for instructions on how to choose other channels.
Limiting the wireless transmit rate - - Limiting the wireless transmit
rate can help improve the maximum wireless range, and connection
stability. Most wireless cards have the ability to limit the transmission rate.
To change this property, go to the Windows Control Panel, open “Network
Connections”, and double-click on your wireless card’s connection. In the
“Properties” dialog, select the “Configure” button on the “General” tab
(Windows 98 users will have to select the wireless card in the list box and
then click “Properties”), then choose the “Advanced” tab and select the rate
property. Wireless client cards are usually set to automatically adjust the
wireless transmit rate for you, but doing so can cause periodic disconnects
when the wireless signal is too weak; as a rule, slower transmission rates
are more stable. Experiment with different connection rates until you find
the best one for your environment; note that all available transmission rates
should be acceptable for browsing the Internet. For more assistance, see
your wireless card’s user manual.
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