Network Range (or lack of!)

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Woody – I was interested in your piece on Wireless systems. I have recently installed a 5 node wireless network. I used D-Link equipment and was profoundly disappointed with the range of the equipment. The publicity claimed 100 metres range – but I could NOT achieve anything like that. I contacted D-Link themselves and they said “…..100 metres under ideal conditions!” So I set up 2 computers in the back yard with only fresh air between them, and moved them around. The maximum range was 40 metres ‘under ideal conditions!’
The dealer that I bought the equipment from grumbled and said that wireless equipment NEVER achieves its published ratings.
Woody – A really helpful evaluation for your readers, would be for you to set up networks from Linksys, D-Link, etc and just measure what range you really get ‘under ideal conditions’, particularly under the low cost Adhoc (Peer-to-Peer) conditions!

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I think the point of dissent here would be what was considered “ideal conditions.” It’s a slippery term. To the manufacturer, ideal would likely mean in a controlled laboratory setting with no interference. The fresh air in your backyard would have all the radio noise typically found outside of a polished soundbooth.

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Call it Crazy but it works!!!

I have a Linksys 4port/Wireless system on DSL.

I put it in my bedroom on the corner wall sitting on top of my TV so it is about 5 feet off the ground.
When I walked into the livingroom about 50 feet away, I was at 40%. It was so slow.
Then I bumped into a stranger at a train station with a 802.11 card on his laptop he forgot to take out. We got to talking about signal strenght and I told him about my problem. He told me to create a arc shape ‘reflector’ out of aluminum foil and have it sit behind the 2 antenas of my linksys. I did. It looks like a curved rectangle piece like from a radar dish. I was willing to try anything!!

Well, it worked. I can go out to my backyard office on the laptop and it is about 70 feet away. The signal goes through 2 solid walls of the house and one from the back office.

I had a friend try it also. He has a wireless hub on the bottom floor and a Desktop with a IDE wirless card on the second. He was getting poor signal strength before the Foil and about 60% after.

I think the walls of my house was sucking all the signals because I placed it in the corner, 2 feet from the wall. Call it crazy but it works!

Paul

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