How to Improve a Wireless LAN
- 1). Enable security if your wireless network is currently not secured. By securing your wireless network, you are deterring would-be signal bandits by not giving them an open connection to exploit. As of 2010, the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA2) protocol is an easy-to-configure protocol that allows you to control access to your network.
- 2). Update your wireless network firmware. Keep your wireless networking devices up to date by downloading and installing the latest firmware. Keeping the firmware up to date helps to ensure that your wireless network equipment is working as the manufacturer intends. You can update your wireless gateway's firmware from the gateway's configuration page. Wireless cards installed on your computer can be updated from your computer.
- 3). Upgrade your wireless network. If your wireless network is more than a few years old, consider upgrading your network by replacing your wireless gateway and your wireless network cards. For example, if you are currently running an 802.11b network, upgrading to current 802.11n technology will improve your transfer rate from a maximum of 11 Megabits per second (Mbps) to 30 Mbps.
- 4). Add a repeater to your wireless network. Repeaters are devices that extend a wireless network's signal beyond its normal range and are especially helpful for large homes or offices.
- 5). Relocate your wireless gateway to an area that is more open and as high as possible. Wireless signals can be weakened or blocked completely by obstacles. If possible, relocate your wireless gateway to a more central, open location, free of obstacles like thick walls or electronics interference. Examples of good gateway placement are the top of a wooden bookshelf or mounted high on a wall.
- 6). Change the channel on your wireless gateway. If you are experiencing low signal strength, changing the channel that your wireless gateway broadcasts on may help. Change the signal from your gateway's configuration page and look on your wireless-enabled computer or device to see if that improves the wireless signal strength.
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