Quetzal
asked on
Wireless Network Interference
Very small wireless network in a retail space using Netgear FM114P and Netgear MA101 adaptors. There is interference casuing the wireless network connection between the adaptors and router to drop. Sometimes it will work fine for days, other times it will fail hourly (but works more often than not). Unfortunately the store is using a 2.4 GHz telephone (Panasonic) and there are two wireless LANs that can be seen in the vicinity. Workstations running XP Pro SP1.
Per Netgear, I have used the Netgear utility to configure instead of the XP utility. Have setTx rate to 5.5 and set to short preamble. Using short WEP keys. I have tried every channel, some work worse than others, but all exhibit problems. I have repositioned the wireless router for oiptimal reception. I have considered recommending that the telephone be replaced, but since they are using 2-line phone, 5.8 GHz models are out and 900MHz models are missing features they want.
First, am I missing any solution to make this current setup work? There are no FCC approved boosters or antennas for these products.
Second, what are my alternatives?
Copper is my last choice, the space does not lend itself to a retrofit. It's doable if it's the only way, but expensive and "messy".
I briefly considered 802.11a, but I'm concerned about distance (this is not a huge space, but it is my understanding that it can be as short as 50-100 feet, which would be a problem).
Now I'm considering PowerPlug adaptors (Netgear XE102). However, Netgear does not "recommend" them in business environments. Anyone have any experieinces with them?
Per Netgear, I have used the Netgear utility to configure instead of the XP utility. Have setTx rate to 5.5 and set to short preamble. Using short WEP keys. I have tried every channel, some work worse than others, but all exhibit problems. I have repositioned the wireless router for oiptimal reception. I have considered recommending that the telephone be replaced, but since they are using 2-line phone, 5.8 GHz models are out and 900MHz models are missing features they want.
First, am I missing any solution to make this current setup work? There are no FCC approved boosters or antennas for these products.
Second, what are my alternatives?
Copper is my last choice, the space does not lend itself to a retrofit. It's doable if it's the only way, but expensive and "messy".
I briefly considered 802.11a, but I'm concerned about distance (this is not a huge space, but it is my understanding that it can be as short as 50-100 feet, which would be a problem).
Now I'm considering PowerPlug adaptors (Netgear XE102). However, Netgear does not "recommend" them in business environments. Anyone have any experieinces with them?
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chicagoan
That AP might not support higain antennas, but if it doesn't work you're either going to have to replace it with one that does, use multiple APs, hardwire or as a last resort phone line networking.
ASKER
WRT higain antennas..it is my understanding that if the problem is due to RF interference (esp telephones that use DSS or FSS) such antennas aren't going to do much good. Is that right?
HPNA would have been a great idea exept that phone lines aren't available in the right locations (and the runs would be just as long as for enet).\\
If I were absolutely certain that the telephones were the problem, I would jump on that with both feet. However, I did a little testing over a short time with the telephones turned off. I may have seen a 10-20% improvement in signal strength and link quality, but then again it could have been something else....it was not definitive.
HPNA would have been a great idea exept that phone lines aren't available in the right locations (and the runs would be just as long as for enet).\\
If I were absolutely certain that the telephones were the problem, I would jump on that with both feet. However, I did a little testing over a short time with the telephones turned off. I may have seen a 10-20% improvement in signal strength and link quality, but then again it could have been something else....it was not definitive.
ASKER
Is there an inexpensive way to determine the source of the RF interference?
ASKER
PsiCop, when you say I'm unlike to get decent bandwidth from PowerPlug, do you mean less than 1 Mbps? I only need Internet browsing speed.
I think **effective** PowerPlug bandwidth in a commercial environment is prolly measured in Kbps, not Mbps.
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SOLUTION
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or just dump another AP out on the floor, something like an smc 2655 with POE is very simple to deploy.
listening...
ASKER
I'm going to run copper, it's the only way to really solve this particular problem.
Sometimes the answer is "You can't get there from here" :)
Quetzal,
Glad we were able to help you with the solution. One of the best uses for EE is just this sort of "sanity check" and help to make sure that you're not overlooking a possible solution.
Glad we were able to help you with the solution. One of the best uses for EE is just this sort of "sanity check" and help to make sure that you're not overlooking a possible solution.
ASKER
You're both right. I'm glad not to waste any time with PowerPlug. Your answers made me look hard at how I will retrofit copper into this setting and it will be fairly easy, inexpensive, and look good; moreover, it will work.
In this case, the sanity check was very worthwhile.
In this case, the sanity check was very worthwhile.