Does anyone here have a wireless network in their home???

[JayJay]

Just wanted to know how the performance of a wireless network is when the PCs are scattered all around a house?? How effectively does the signal penetrate walls etc. And how will the performance be affected when the wireless router is on the first floor and the PCs the need the connection are in the 2nd floor of the home.

[Áedán]

Yeah, I've an 802.11b wireless network in my apartment. Some of the interior walls are solid brick, and the signal doesn't go through those walls at all! The result is that the room next to the access point has poor connectivity.

The signal doesn't go through the floors in the building where I am, as the floors are concrete.

What are your interior walls made of, and what are the floors made of?

It's preferable to have the access point higher up than lower down, as the RF propogates more effectively.

AidanII

[robbie]

I was going to do this but the cost was going to be WAY too high. So I drilled some holes and ran cat5 from one side of the house to the other, via the attic.

Almost used all 100 feet of cable.
Rob

[JayJay]

Thanks guys

So Aidan,

You're saying that its better to have the wireless router on the 2nd flr than on the 1st flr???

[Áedán]

Originally posted by JayJay
You're saying that its better to have the wireless router on the 2nd flr than on the 1st flr???

With anything RF, the futher up it is, the better the coverage! This isn't always possible, but if you can do it, it's preferable.

AidanII

[JayJay]

Originally posted by AidanII


With anything RF, the futher up it is, the better the coverage! This isn't always possible, but if you can do it, it's preferable.

AidanII

You're right! Forgot about that

Thanks AidanII

[Holst]

We have some cheap blootooth USB dongles here.
Only cost £25 each so you can make yourself a cheap wireless network with them.

Speed and range isnt fantastic (ADSL speed and about 10m range) but for the money it might suite some people.

[Áedán]

Originally posted by Holst
Speed and range isnt fantastic (ADSL speed and about 10m range) but for the money it might suite some people.

Bluetooth can manage about 730Kbit/sec, which isn't really very fast.

The range is a little more of a problem, depending on the device. Mobile phones and headsets generally use the lowest power setting, which gives about 10metres of range. Larger devices such as USB modules have far more power and can go for 200metres.

I have to say, I'd not seen any at the suggested £25 mark, or I'd have some!

Hey, are those EPoX USB Bluetooth dongles Broadcom based?

AidanII