 Re: Need networking help
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422 |
The issue must be distance and walls. Yup...
Farewell - June 4, 2020
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Re: Need networking help
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,331
axiomite
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OP
axiomite
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,331 |
It's a brand new D-link DWA-556 PCI express card with 3 antennas (shouldn't that be antennae?)
Last edited by Ajax; 04/08/11 03:24 AM.
Jack
"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
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Re: Need networking help
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 309
devotee
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devotee
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 309 |
As far as an extender or access point, it's usually easier to set up if everything is the same brand. I've had good luck with D-Link, but Linksys should be fine, too. If you can run a Cat 5e or 6 wire to a central location and add an A/P, the problem will probably go away.
I started out with nothing & I've still got most of it left
M60 VP160 QS8 EP350
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Algonquins
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Re: Need networking help
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,854
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,854 |
It's a brand new D-link DWA-556 PCI express card with 3 antennas (shouldn't that be antennae?) Actually, there are antennae that are designed specifically for this type of problem. Since you have been to my house, you'll understand that the wireless router is in the upstairs office and the wireless signal gets to the basement home theater. Initially, my signal was weak. Did the research you are doing and ended up getting some high gain antenna replacements for the Linksys router. Worked a treat (except for streaming video). In fact, the guy across the street mentions that my signal is stronger than his (of course I DID drink out of Darth Vader's cup once). Note that the 3 antennae on the D-Link are probably disappointingly short (Mark can help you understand this, so they don't spew a long/strong signal (again, Mark can help) Anyhow, Radio Shack can give you some replacements that you could return if they don't yield any remarkable results. Search on the router name and add "increasing signal strength" to see if anyone has solved using antennae as the answer. Cheapest and quickest. 2nd choice is a range extender. Go to Newegg, type in range extender for a search and on "Sort by", choose Best Rating. Pick the price you like. 3rd choice. Powerline networking. Some plugins that turn a wireless into a wired network using the house electrical lines. Newegg again and Netgear seems to be leading the pack. These things don't seem to have any middle ground - fabulous or failure. Never figured Worth a look. Frankly, I'd start here, but I am ranking from least expensive to most expensive. 4th choice. Pay the bucks and wire the house. Sometimes wireless just isn't the answer. No matter how much time you spend polishing a turd, it is still a turd. OK, my work here is done.
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Re: Need networking help
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
Initially, my signal was weak So that's what she call it.
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Re: Need networking help
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,331
axiomite
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OP
axiomite
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,331 |
It's a brand new D-link DWA-556 PCI express card with 3 antennas (shouldn't that be antennae?) Actually, there are antennae that are designed specifically for this type of problem. Since you have been to my house, you'll understand that the wireless router is in the upstairs office and the wireless signal gets to the basement home theater. Initially, my signal was weak. Did the research you are doing and ended up getting some high gain antenna replacements for the Linksys router. Worked a treat (except for streaming video). In fact, the guy across the street mentions that my signal is stronger than his (of course I DID drink out of Darth Vader's cup once). Note that the 3 antennae on the D-Link are probably disappointingly short (Mark can help you understand this, so they don't spew a long/strong signal (again, Mark can help) Anyhow, Radio Shack can give you some replacements that you could return if they don't yield any remarkable results. Search on the router name and add "increasing signal strength" to see if anyone has solved using antennae as the answer. Cheapest and quickest. 2nd choice is a range extender. Go to Newegg, type in range extender for a search and on "Sort by", choose Best Rating. Pick the price you like. 3rd choice. Powerline networking. Some plugins that turn a wireless into a wired network using the house electrical lines. Newegg again and Netgear seems to be leading the pack. These things don't seem to have any middle ground - fabulous or failure. Never figured Worth a look. Frankly, I'd start here, but I am ranking from least expensive to most expensive. 4th choice. Pay the bucks and wire the house. Sometimes wireless just isn't the answer. No matter how much time you spend polishing a turd, it is still a turd. OK, my work here is done. Yeah, found this D-Link ANT24-0230 Xtreme N 2.4GHZ Indoor Antenna which could replace the short antennae on the network card. It receives very mixed reviews. The long wire is the killer here (there is a woman involved in this decision  )  There are no external antennae on the router so replacements are not an option.  Hadn't thought about the powerline networking. I'll have to investigate that more. Best option at this point seems to be an extender but I am still concerned about all the walls and the distance. I have found an acceptable option at Best Buy which is priced as low as the lowest online price I could find. Good thing about that is, if it doesn't do the job, we can easily return it.  X = Router Y = Remote Computer a, b, c, & d are potential spots for an extender. red lines approximate walls a & b would be kitchen coutentertop height, d would be on the floor, and c, which is intriguing, would be about 8, 9, feet off the gound atop the wall represented by the red line between b & c. That wall stops short of a vaulted ceiling leaving a space open to the next area which is the entryway foyer. There is an electrical outlet up there. Placement here would eliminate the b to c wall entirely.
Jack
"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
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Re: Need networking help
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 233
local
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local
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 233 |
I would get a non-wireless router (or disable the wireless on the router since non-wireless routers seem to be getting scarce) and then put a wireless access point at a. This requires an ethernet cable to be run from X to a. I use the Cisco RVS4000 router and the Cisco WAP4410N access point. But I work for Cisco so you should also take a look at other manufacturer's equivalent products.
Last edited by Henry66; 04/12/11 05:18 PM.
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