Question about interference and Wireless Channel Assignment

Wireless connectivity is getting popular. I just bought a new
computer and have it connecting via wireless from an upstairs bedroom
to the downstairs Linksys wireless router. I notice that I generally
get about 500Kbyte/sec data transfer. But on ocassion I will lose
the link and there is a diagnostic that suggests interferrence on the
channel as a potential reason.

I have now seen three other signals with differing Identifiers along
with my own. Now all my computers are using Channel 6. That is the
way Linsys shipped and I saw no reason to change. Now my question is
this. The three other signals that I am seeing identified on my
computer as potential wireless connections -- are they also on Channel
6 by definition. Maybe all the neighbors left their systems set to
the default channel as did I.

I even found that my system had these potential connections from the
neighborhood in a priority list and mine was not even at the top. I
removed the others and now only mine appears and since I did that I no
longer have dropped off line. However, I notice drastic changes in
the data transfer rate from time to time. Perhaps that is due to
interference.

If I change my entire system to a different channel, would that lessen
the interference that I am experiencing? Just asking to make sure it
is not a wasted effort.


Howard of San Diego

Getting away from the default channel 6 would likely address the
periodic interference problem. The usual recommendation is to use
channels 10 or 11. With your neighbors using wireless, I hope you are
using encryption of some kind, either WEP or WPA. It also helps to do
MAC filtering when so many other wireless nets are within contact
distance of your net.


"HOESan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Wireless connectivity is getting popular. I just bought a new
> computer and have it connecting via wireless from an upstairs
bedroom
> to the downstairs Linksys wireless router. I notice that I
generally
> get about 500Kbyte/sec data transfer. But on ocassion I will lose
> the link and there is a diagnostic that suggests interferrence on
the
> channel as a potential reason.
>
> I have now seen three other signals with differing Identifiers along
> with my own. Now all my computers are using Channel 6. That is
the
> way Linsys shipped and I saw no reason to change. Now my question
is
> this. The three other signals that I am seeing identified on my
> computer as potential wireless connections -- are they also on
Channel
> 6 by definition. Maybe all the neighbors left their systems set to
> the default channel as did I.
>
> I even found that my system had these potential connections from the
> neighborhood in a priority list and mine was not even at the top. I
> removed the others and now only mine appears and since I did that I
no
> longer have dropped off line. However, I notice drastic changes in
> the data transfer rate from time to time. Perhaps that is due to
> interference.
>
> If I change my entire system to a different channel, would that
lessen
> the interference that I am experiencing? Just asking to make sure
it
> is not a wasted effort.
>
>
> Howard of San Diego

Get away from cahnnel 6 as soon as possible...
Everyone leaves their wireless Ap on the default channel
and this creates a bunch of problems, especially in
apartment blocks.
You system will work a lot better on a channel as far
away from channel 6 as possible (I use channel 11)...
Also be aware that while you move around while sitting
behind your computer can cause reflections in the signal
strenght, and could even cancel out you wireless signal.
This is especially true if the signal is marginal already.
Try to move your wireless connection about 1/2 wavelength
if this occurs (6 cm or 2 inches).
>-----Original Message-----
>Wireless connectivity is getting popular. I just bought
a new
>computer and have it connecting via wireless from an
upstairs bedroom
>to the downstairs Linksys wireless router. I notice
that I generally
>get about 500Kbyte/sec data transfer. But on ocassion
I will lose
>the link and there is a diagnostic that suggests
interferrence on the
>channel as a potential reason.
>
>I have now seen three other signals with differing
Identifiers along
>with my own. Now all my computers are using Channel
6. That is the
>way Linsys shipped and I saw no reason to change. Now
my question is
>this. The three other signals that I am seeing
identified on my
>computer as potential wireless connections -- are they
also on Channel
>6 by definition. Maybe all the neighbors left their
systems set to
>the default channel as did I.
>
>I even found that my system had these potential
connections from the
>neighborhood in a priority list and mine was not even at
the top. I
>removed the others and now only mine appears and since I
did that I no
>longer have dropped off line. However, I notice drastic
changes in
>the data transfer rate from time to time. Perhaps that
is due to
>interference.
>
>If I change my entire system to a different channel,
would that lessen
>the interference that I am experiencing? Just asking to
make sure it
>is not a wasted effort.
>
>
>Howard of San Diego
>.
>

I ran across a very nice little wireless diagnostic tool called
NetStumbler. Among other things, it will list all the wireless networks
your card is picking AND their channel number.

You may be able to find a range of channels that are unoccupied and pick
one that's furthest away from the crowd.

http://www.netstumbler.com/

Lance
*****


HOESan thought carefully and wrote on 8/29/2004 8:59 PM:

> Wireless connectivity is getting popular. I just bought a new
> computer and have it connecting via wireless from an upstairs bedroom
> to the downstairs Linksys wireless router. I notice that I generally
> get about 500Kbyte/sec data transfer. But on ocassion I will lose
> the link and there is a diagnostic that suggests interferrence on the
> channel as a potential reason.
>
> I have now seen three other signals with differing Identifiers along
> with my own. Now all my computers are using Channel 6. That is the
> way Linsys shipped and I saw no reason to change. Now my question is
> this. The three other signals that I am seeing identified on my
> computer as potential wireless connections -- are they also on Channel
> 6 by definition. Maybe all the neighbors left their systems set to
> the default channel as did I.
>
> I even found that my system had these potential connections from the
> neighborhood in a priority list and mine was not even at the top. I
> removed the others and now only mine appears and since I did that I no
> longer have dropped off line. However, I notice drastic changes in
> the data transfer rate from time to time. Perhaps that is due to
> interference.
>
> If I change my entire system to a different channel, would that lessen
> the interference that I am experiencing? Just asking to make sure it
> is not a wasted effort.
>
>
> Howard of San Diego