[mac4theblind] Re: routers that are accessible?

  • From: Scott Granados <scott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2013 12:30:36 -0400

Well, there could be a few things.  You might have to many wifi devices close 
to the router so they conflict with longer range devices.  You might have a bad 
radio, most routers have more than one radio but function poorly with one or 
more missing.  If it changed suddenly think about what you've changed recently. 
 Have you added a new device, have you added something new like an alarm system 
or wireless phone etc.  If you can try moving the router.  Maybe your neighbor 
added something new although changing channel should address that.  Borrow 
another router and test whether it works better, that rules out problems with 
the radio or hardware.  I'd do the basic diagnostics first and think about 
what's changed.

Hope that helps.

On Oct 11, 2013, at 12:03 PM, David Hilbert Poehlman <poehlman1@xxxxxxxxxxx> 
wrote:

> What I want to know is even with channels changed, I'm still not getting the 
> range I used to get.  How can I fix this short of buying more hardware.  The 
> house is small but for some reason, the patio won't pick up the signal and 
> other parts of the house even almost ontop of the router are sort of dead.  
> This did fine till fairly recently.  I have noticed that there are more wifi 
> devices around to pick up signals from but we're using wpa2 and hidden ssd
> 
> On Oct 11, 2013, at 11:42 AM, Scott Granados <scott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> You can do this a few ways alluded to by Isaac and others.
> 
> First, the basics, make sure your Airport extreme is placed as high up as 
> possible and as open as possible.  Don't obstruct it with other equipment for 
> example.
>       Also, very important, try another channel.  Remember that 6 is the most 
> commonly used with 11 being the next most common, try channel 1 first then 
> 11.  If you use channels like 2 - 5 or 7 -10 etc they will per lap with other 
> devices on 1 - 6 or 11 or other combinations so you might have overlap from a 
> neighbor causing a problem.  Pic one of the main 3 to avoid random 
> overlapping on parts of the spectrum.  Auto mode can be flawed so if you have 
> auto set by all means try a manual channel setting.
>       That out of the way, if you still have a range problem and you might as 
> David mentioned it depends on the type of walls and building materials etc.  
> You also might have a Microwave or garage door opener, cordless phone, etc 
> that is interfering.  You can approach the problem a few ways.  You could run 
> a wire somewhere closer and place another access point.  You could rome 
> between them as needed or your stationary computers will pick the closest / 
> best received AP.  This requires running a physical router from your router 
> to the point where the AP would be installed.  Access points can be had 
> inexpensively either by purchasing another airport extreme or some other less 
> expensive AP only.  (DLINK DAP series, Netgear AP series, etc.
>       Next, you could use a repeater.  802.11N Repeaters can be had for as 
> low as $50 and many access points have this function built in.  Here you join 
> the repeater to your main SSID, place it somewhere in the middle and your far 
> end machines join the repeated SSID.  These work pretty well.
>       Another really good way to go is use a better wireless bridge instead 
> of the stock wireless card in your laptop / desk top.  You can get these for 
> $50 on up and they allow you to join an SSID and have an ethernet port to 
> plug in to.  The bridge has a better antenna and radio and also has the 
> advantage of being able to be placed high in your room where service is 
> required.  I use a lot of these.  The link sys WET600N isn't bad, the 
> Ubiquiti Nano Series for real long runs or Air router series for in home use 
> work very well.
>       Finally, you could use a better wireless adapter.  Something that 
> attaches USB side to your computer and again you can place around the room.  
> These have better radios than the standard broadcomm or Intel chips included 
> and many times have advanced features for long runs.  
>       Some combination of this should work for you.  Start out with the free 
> stuff and go from there.  Depending on the budget you can decide what 
> solution to use.  In my house I have 4 access points, one in each corner far 
> room hard wired back to a central switch and set up to allow for roaming 
> access.  I also have a long range AP outside that I can pick up about a mile 
> or so from the house.  Just depends on what you want to spend.
> 
> Hope that helps.
> 
> 
> On Oct 11, 2013, at 10:48 AM, Richard Ring <richring@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
>> I have a question, and, Scott, you seem to be the one who will be able to 
>> answer it. Is there any way to boost the signal on an Apple Airport Extreme? 
>> I broadcast an Internet radio show, and I find myself buffering. My 
>> housemate also broadcasts using the same server, and she never buffers at 
>> all. Any ideas?
>> Thanks!
>> 
>> 
>> You can have an off day, but you can't have a day off! ---The Art of Fielding
>>  Sent from my Mac Book Pro 
>> richring@xxxxxxxxx
>> 
>> On Oct 11, 2013, at 9:37 AM, Scott Granados <scott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> 
>>> The big problem with net gear is the forwarding rate.
>>> 
>>> Let's use an example to illustrate what  I mean.
>>> 
>>> Let's say you have a 100 megabit internet connection and you attach a 
>>> Netgear something like an FW308 or insett your router here.  Of that 100 
>>> megabits, you'll be lucky to actually be able to use 20.  This is because 
>>> the processor used for forwarding decisions in the router is under powered 
>>> for today's high speed connections.  Linksys is even worse at this with the 
>>> same setup yielding 4 to 6 megabits instead of the full 100.
>>> You could literally swap your net gear with a faster say DLink or as 
>>> mentioned Apple Extreme and you'll feel like you have a whole new, faster 
>>> connection.
>>> 
>>> Netgear is definitely not the worst, Linksys / Cisco hold that honor but 
>>> it'd definitely not as fast as you probably need.  CHeck around if you find 
>>> something that fits your price point give it a shot.  Netgear is fine on 
>>> the reliability side just performance is lacking.  GO with what you like 
>>> though, the good news is most hardware is accessible now so you should do 
>>> well with what ever you select.  GOod luck and enjoy.
>>> 
>>> Scott
>>> 
>>> On Oct 11, 2013, at 10:18 AM, David Hilbert Poehlman 
>>> <poehlman1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Hi Scott,
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks for the info.
>>>> 
>>>> My last net gear router lasted over five years.  It is totally accessible 
>>>> at least on the mac.  According to my reading, net gear is a top rated 
>>>> brand among consumers like me.
>>>> 
>>>> I did research before buying but did not find info on accessibility.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On Oct 11, 2013, at 9:57 AM, Scott Granados <scott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I would stay away from net gear but I base that on reliability and 
>>>> forwarding rate, not accessibility.
>>>> 
>>>> In my mind on the consumer side the DLink DIR series is excellent and 
>>>> forwards at line rate.  I use an 857 dual band router but I believe they 
>>>> are up to the 865 now.
>>>>    Other routers that are good both from a performance and accessibility 
>>>> standpoint are the Ubiquiti Air Router or Air Router HP, Sonic Wall TZ 
>>>> series or Edge Water.  DLink is my favorite though and has always treated 
>>>> me well.
>>>> 
>>>> Hope that helps.
>>>> 
>>>> On Oct 11, 2013, at 8:33 AM, David Hilbert Poehlman 
>>>> <poehlman1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> All,
>>>>> 
>>>>> For various reasons, I've ordered the following router.
>>>>> NETGEAR N750 Dual Band Wi-Fi Gigabit Router (WNDR4300)
>>>>> from amazon for $99.97 with free shipping.
>>>>> Is this or any other router besides apple's accessible through web on the 
>>>>> mac?
>>>>> If this one is not accessible, which is? and if this is accessible or any 
>>>>> other router is can it do all we need to do with it?
>>>>> 
>>>>> I suppose I could have gotten a new version of my old router which is 
>>>>> failing, but like this one so went with it.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thanks for any help.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -- 
>>>>> Jonnie Appleseed
>>>>> With His
>>>>> Hands-On Technolog(eye)s
>>>>> touching the internet
>>>>> Reducing Technology's disabilities
>>>>> One Byte At a time
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -- 
>>>> Jonnie Appleseed
>>>> With His
>>>> Hands-On Technolog(eye)s
>>>> touching the internet
>>>> Reducing Technology's disabilities
>>>> One Byte At a time
>>>> 
>>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Jonnie Appleseed
> With His
> Hands-On Technolog(eye)s
> touching the internet
> Reducing Technology's disabilities
> One Byte At a time
> 

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