Mekhels: Wi-Fi

Change the Wi-Fi Channel Number

to Avoid InterferenceAvoid wireless radio interferenceBy Bradley Mitchell, About.com Guide

See More About:wireless signal interference80211b80211gHome wireless networks based on the 802.11b or 802.11g standards transmit their signal in a narrow radio frequency range of 2.4 GHz. Various other electronic devices in a home, such as cordless phones, garage door openers, baby monitors, and microwave ovens, may use this same frequency range. Any such device can interfere with a Wi-Fi home network, slowing down its performance and potentially breaking network connections.

Likewise, the wireless networks of neighbors generally all use the same form of radio signaling. Especially in residences that share walls with each other, interference between different home networks is not uncommon.

The 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal range is divided into a number of smaller bands or "channels," similar to television channels. In most countries, Wi-Fi equipment provides a set of available channels to choose from. In the United States, for example, any of the Wi-Fi channels 1 - 11 can be chosen when setting up a wireless LAN (WLAN). Setting this Wi-Fi channel number appropriately provides one way to avoid sources of wireless interference.

Many wireless products in the U.S. ship with a default Wi-Fi channel of 6. If encountering interference from other devices within the home, consider changing the channel up or down to avoid it. Note that all Wi-Fi devices on the network must use the same channel.

Unlike television channels, some Wi-Fi channel numbers overlap with each other. Channel 1 uses the lowest frequency band and each subsequent channel increases the frequency slightly. Therefore, the further apart two channel numbers are, the less the degree of overlap and likelihood of interference. If encountering interference with a neighbor's WLAN, change to a distant channel. Both channels 1 and 11 do not overlap with the default channel 6; use one of these three channels for best results.Suggested ReadingWhat is the Range of a Wi-Fi LAN?Wireless Home Network Security TipsMore About Wi-Fi Home NetworkingRelated Articles802.11n Speed - How Can I Get an 802.11n Wi-Fi Speed Rating of 300 Mbps?What the .1 Means in 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 Channel Surround SoundUsing Different Wi-Fi ProfilesWi-Fi Power - How Does Wi-Fi Use Affect Computer Battery Life and Power Nee...Holiday Gift Guide for Wireless and Home Computer Networking

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Boost Wi-Fi Network Range

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How Can the Range of a Wi-Fi Network Be Boosted?By Bradley Mitchell, About.com Guide

See More About:expanding a wireless networkwireless access pointsnetwork repeaterswireless antennaswireless signal interferenceQuestion: How Can the Range of a Wi-Fi Network Be Boosted?You can boost the signal range of a Wi-Fi computer network in several ways:Answer: reposition your router (or access point) to avoid obstructions and radio interference. Both reduce the range of Wi-Fi network equipment. Common sources of interference in residences include brick or plaster walls, microwave ovens, and cordless phones. Additionally, consider changing the Wi-Fi channel number on your equipment to avoid interference.

upgrade the antenna on your router (or access point). Wi-Fi antennas on most wireless base stations can be removed and replaced with more powerful ones.

add another access point (or router). Large residences typically require no more than two APs, whereas businesses may employ dozens of APs. In a home, this option requires connecting your primary wireless router (access point) to the second one with Ethernet cable; home wireless routers and/or APs don't normally communicate with each other directly.

add a bi-directional Wi-Fi signal amplifier to wireless devices as needed. A Wi-Fi signal amplifier (sometimes called "signal booster") attaches to a router, access point or Wi-Fi client at the place where the antenna connects. Bi-directional antennas amplify the wireless signal in both transmit and receive directions. These should be used as Wi-Fi transmissions are two-way radio communications.

add a Wi-Fi repeater. A wireless repeater is a stand-alone unit positioned within range of a wireless router (access point). Repeaters (sometimes called "range expanders") serve as a two-way relay station for Wi-Fi signals. Clients too far away from the original router / AP can instead associate with the WLAN through the repeater.Suggested ReadingHow to Build a WiFi Home Network TutorialWhat Hardware is Required to Build a WiFi Network?What is the Range of a Typical WiFi LAN?Related ResourcesAbout WiFi Home NetworkingAbout 802.11 WiFi StandardsAbout Wireless Network SecurityRelated ArticlesWi-Fi Range - Which Wireless Router Has the Best Wi-Fi Signal?Wi-Fi Tip - Position the Wireless Access Point / Router for Best Performanc...How to Build a Wireless Home Network - Choosing Wireless GearWireless Range Extender - Range ExpanderAccess Point Definition

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World's First Internet-Enabled Wi-Fi Headphones

Koss Corporation has a long history in the headphone business going back to the beginning of "Hi-Fi" stereo headphones in the 1950s. It seems fitting, then, that Koss announced this week availability of the world's first Wi-Fi headphones with built-in Internet connectivity. The Koss Striva products feature both in-ear and over-the-ear models that connect via Wi-Fi to a local network. Through a local access point, the headphones receive audio programming as configured by users via accounts they set up on the www.mykoss.com online portal. A small bridge device Koss calls a Content Access Point can also be connected to devices like phones or MP3 players for offline streaming.

The price tag for Koss Striva runs between USD $450 and USD $500. As cool as this technology is, that's a very high price to pay for headphones. Is "cutting the cord" worth it?

→ See also - Going Wireless - Headphones (2009)
→ See also - Ways to Reset a Home Network Router

Koss STRIVA - Photo: www.koss.comComments (1)See All PostsSharePrevNextLeave a CommentCommentsMay 1, 2012 at 2:17 pm(1) whulse says:

Depending upon the country of manufacture, the quality, and the presence of commercials in the content of material available, I’d spring for about $50 for a product manufactured in the USA; less for made in America, Japan, China, Mexico, or most anywhere else, and commercial content in the material available would be a lock out altogether.

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FBI Warns of Wi-Fi Network Attacks at International Hotels

By Bradley Mitchell, About.com GuideMay 15, 2012

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FacebookTwitterDo you use Wi-Fi Internet at hotels around the world? A note this month from the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) suggests you may be a prime target for hackers. Specifically, the IC3 is tracking claims that hotel travelers have had their computers infected with virus software that they unknowingly downloaded. This attack is sneaky in that people are apparently tricked to make the download by generating a pop-up window in the browser as soon as they initiate their Internet connection. While there are several ways to avoid falling into this trap, one good solution is to avoid downloading any software updates to your computers when traveling.
→ See also - 9 Tips To Block Hotel Wi-Fi Malware (informationweek.com)Comments (0)See All PostsSharePrevNextCommentsNo comments yet. Leave a CommentLeave a CommentName

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