Networks

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Range of wireless network

0 helpful
7 replies

by mrwreckit

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

We have a network which is mainly hardwired with a few wireless NICs in laptops. We have 2 access points. The equipment is made by D-Link. The network is Win 2k server & win 2k pro. Within 10 feet of the access point the signal fluctuates widely between 60% & 80%. As the laptop is moved away the signal drops rapidly, losing it at about 45 feet, still with line of sight.
Is this ususal?
What range is 'normal'?

7 replies

by ann777

D-Link stuff is low end (low priced). They have the range listed at up to 328 feet indoors and 984 outdoors for their PCMCIA wireless card:

http://www.dlink.com/products/wireless/dwl650/

You might have a defective product or there may be unusual interference in your environment.

----

I've seen better antennas on other manufacturer's wireless products and I would think that they might be more effective. The d-link's access point antennas seem awfully short... do they extend?

http://www.dlink.com/products/broadband/di714/

???

by techkid

That's extremely poor. I've used 3 different WAP's. Linksys was worst, SMC Baracade went through two concrete walls, but of course the hands down winner and the best I've used is of course Cisco's. We had a Cisco one setup in our server room and were sufing the net across the street at a restaurant (~150ft). One aspect that can increase your range is the wireless pc card. The lesser expensive cards usually only put out 30-50 milliwatts of power. The Cisco card puts out 100mw greatly increasing the range. My Linksys card was blown out of the water by the Cisco card

If you have money you could always try and move to the new 802.11a network gear. It operates in the less crowded 5Ghz range so it's virtually free of interference and it has bursts up to 72Mb/s

by thechas

The environment for the signal is critical for any RF system.

Do cell phones work in your building?
Can people receive radio signals with no problem?
If the answer to either question is no, you may have a lot of RF noise in the area.

One wayto check if it is a problem with the D-Link system, or high RF noise would be to set up a cordless phone in the same area. If the cordless phone works fine, then you may have bad hardware.

If you determine that it is an interference problem, seeif you can shut down equipment in the building that may generate RF noise. This is the easiest way narrow down the source if it is in your facility. If the source is not in your facility, your only choice may be one of the higher end wireless systems mentioned in the other responses.

This discussion is closed to new replies.