Home users that have wireless network to share the internet connection from the ISP, one or more times experience Router Problems – problems that sometimes nothing to do with the router itself. For those network administrators that have specific role to manage their large corporate network probably know exactly what the router problems they are facing. Corporate or enterprise network uses business or enterprise class router with router access-list defined.
Home type Router problems do not always mean bad router, probably the routers that need properly cares and configuration. Things like about weak connection from a computer at the upstairs floor where there are many obstacles between the router and the PC.
Low Signal Strength or Dead Spots
This is common router problems you probably face frequently at home particularly those legacy routers that use 802.11b or 802.11g routers. Well, that’s the time you need to switch to the newest wireless standards – the future wireless technology draft 802.11n. It’s not finalized yet, but guess what – the hardware is locked down and when the final standards have been affirmed, you will just need to upgrade the free download firmware from the manufacturers websites. Or even some new types of wireless will automatically download the firmware soon the new firmware is released such as DSL-2640B from D-Link.
Wireless –N technology is a high performance wireless network – the fastest wireless network at the market now. Some of wireless –N devices are powered by intelligent MIMO antenna technology that helps eliminate dead spots with its methods in broadcasting and receiving signals. This technology will help you remove dead-spots router problems. If you need to build a wireless network from the scratch, consider wireless-N technology wireless router such as WRT610N Linksys with dual-band both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio band.
Other consideration in placement of the router is also a key factor in dead-spot router problem. Follow the tips below for better wireless performance:
- Arrange the placement of the router so that’s the number of walls and ceilings between the network devices and the router to keep minimum. You know that each number of walls and or ceilings will reduce the adapter’s range from 3-90 ft (around 1-30 meters). Minimize the number of walls and ceilings by arranging the adapters and wireless routers position will also help reduce this dead spot router problems.
- Direct line between network devices must be pay attention too, since a wall that is 1.5 feet thick (around 0.5 meters), at a 45-degree angle appears to be almost 3 feet (1 meter) thick. At a 2-degree angle it looks over 42 feet (around 14 meters) thick. You need to arrange the positions of devices so that the signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling (instead of at an angle) for better reception.
- Notice that the building materials will make difference. A negative effect will be built on solid metal door or aluminum studs. Arrange the position of the access points, the wireless routers, and other computers so that’s that the signal passes through drywall or open doorways. Other materials and objects around (such as glass, steel, metal, walls with insulation, water – fish tanks, mirrors, file cabinets, brick, and concrete) will contribute the degradation of the wireless signal.
- Keeping the wireless devices away from the electrical devices (at least 3-6 ft away) will help reduce the noise. Noise will degrade the signal strength that you might think the router problems.
- Be aware with other wireless appliances such as Microwave, cordless phone, ceiling fans, lights, and home security systems, they will degrade your wireless signal dramatically or completely drop. Arrange the placement of your router away from these devices.
Router problems for some people are frustrating especially for home users. See also the following articles:
- Router IP address – understanding the IP address used in the router network.
- How to Find the IP address for your home computer network.
- Understanding business and home firewall appliances.
- How to choose the best wireless routers
- understanding firewall ports
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