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Overcoming wireless interference
One of my clients is suddenly unable to have wi-fi in his business. The building in question has a steel roof, but the access point and the computers in question are all inside.
Prior to three weeks ago, Wi-Fi was no problem, using a 3com office connect WL-553
I have also tried a linksys WAP54G
The worst part of this, is that I can set the WAP and a laptop 2 feet apart and can still only see the wireless network intermittently. Broadcast is turned on, and all hardware is confirmed working.
We're going to try to hunt down the source of the interference, but can anyone recommend a method or equipment to overcome this interference if we can't eliminate it?
Prior to three weeks ago, Wi-Fi was no problem, using a 3com office connect WL-553
I have also tried a linksys WAP54G
The worst part of this, is that I can set the WAP and a laptop 2 feet apart and can still only see the wireless network intermittently. Broadcast is turned on, and all hardware is confirmed working.
We're going to try to hunt down the source of the interference, but can anyone recommend a method or equipment to overcome this interference if we can't eliminate it?
Wireless NetworkingWireless Hardware
Last Comment
modus_operandi
ASKER
1) What happened 2 to 3 weeks ago that would make the wi-fi stop working?
The owner is unsure. We're planning to shut down the entire location and power devices one by one to find the culprit if we have to.
2) Confirm the WAP is in order by taking it out of the office and see if you get expected range.
This has already been done, all devices confirmed good.
The owner is unsure. We're planning to shut down the entire location and power devices one by one to find the culprit if we have to.
2) Confirm the WAP is in order by taking it out of the office and see if you get expected range.
This has already been done, all devices confirmed good.
Have you tried NetStumber to see if any other wireless networks are around?
http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/
Have you tried using another non-overlapping channel setting.
The non-overlapping channels are 1, 6 and 11 (USA)
http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/
Have you tried using another non-overlapping channel setting.
The non-overlapping channels are 1, 6 and 11 (USA)
ASKER
I haven't used netstumbler. The business is too far away from other buildings for other networks.
I have tries using all available channels with no luck.
I have tries using all available channels with no luck.
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ASKER
The business in question is a bar/resteraunt. I've taken some readings with netstumbler.
inside.ns1 is a reading from inside the building (obviously) at first, I had my AP disconnected, after 5 minutes I powered it up. Netstumbler was unable to find it at a range of three feet.
outside.ns1 is the result when I took the AP outside. Netstumbler was able to pick it up at a range of 10 feet, but only intermittently.
my AP is otoolesnovi I don't know why it shows as type (fake) it's a linksys wap54g
can't upload .ns1 files so they are located at
www.glss.biz/backup/inside.ns1
www.glss.biz/backup/outside.ns1
inside.ns1 is a reading from inside the building (obviously) at first, I had my AP disconnected, after 5 minutes I powered it up. Netstumbler was unable to find it at a range of three feet.
outside.ns1 is the result when I took the AP outside. Netstumbler was able to pick it up at a range of 10 feet, but only intermittently.
my AP is otoolesnovi I don't know why it shows as type (fake) it's a linksys wap54g
can't upload .ns1 files so they are located at
www.glss.biz/backup/inside.ns1
www.glss.biz/backup/outside.ns1
So what is this megahoc SSID on channel 11 inside?
It seems that there is an ad-hoc connection inside. Perhaps it is the device in question.
ASKER
I have no idea what that megahoc is. There was only one wireless computer in the location, and the megahoc was only findable via netstumbler.
You could have a wireless pc with a virus. megahoc.v22 is listed as a possible viral hotspot. An infected machine will broadcast a peer-to-peer (Ad-hoc) SSID. Could be what's going on for you. If several wireless clients are infected they've saturated all available changes broadcasting.
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=602
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=602
ASKER
Solution found.
The problem was traced to a defective wireless security camera that the owner forgot to mention he had installed.
FYI the megahoc turns out to be a "Megatouch" brand touchscreen bar game.
The problem was traced to a defective wireless security camera that the owner forgot to mention he had installed.
FYI the megahoc turns out to be a "Megatouch" brand touchscreen bar game.
I believe TreyH should receive at least some points since he did say in comment https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23313006/Overcoming-wireless-interference.html?anchorAnswerId=21334837#a21334837
that a bad wireless nic could cause this problem. He also recommended turning off everything and powering things up one at a time. The user may not have done this but it would have found the issue.
that a bad wireless nic could cause this problem. He also recommended turning off everything and powering things up one at a time. The user may not have done this but it would have found the issue.
And Outlaw specifically stated:
<<So, interference from a new device OR a bad wireless card.>>
<<So, interference from a new device OR a bad wireless card.>>
I would recommend a split - TreyH and OutlawSystems.
Split per TreyH's recommendation.
modus_operandi
EE Moderator
modus_operandi
EE Moderator
Few questions for you:
1) What happened 2 to 3 weeks ago that would make the wi-fi stop working?
2) Confirm the WAP is in order by taking it out of the office and see if you get expected range.
I would try moving the wap to a different area to see if you could get better coverage there.