Is the internet connection slow or intermittent in the apartment? We show you what to do if you want to get the most out of your home network.
Today, there is almost no home without a Wi-Fi network. The wireless connection is really convenient, since the net is “everywhere” – however, minor or major errors may occur, which adversely affect reliability or data transfer speed, or worse, both. In this article, we have collected the most common problems related to the Wi-Fi network, and of course we will also show you how you can fix them.
1. Start with some basic measurements
There are two basic problems with Wi-Fi: one is that it is intermittent, and the other is that it is slow. Both things can be tested relatively easily, but it is important to always know what you are testing and what values you can expect in the optimal case. The speed-related problem typically does not affect the communication between devices connected to the network, but you will notice it in the slow download speed and poor image quality when using the video streaming/video chat service.
To test the speed of your Internet connection, connect a PC or notebook directly to the modem connected to the Internet. If possible, use a wired connection, and if this is not possible (for example, because the notebook does not have an Ethernet port), then place the notebook in the immediate vicinity of the modem. For testing – for example – a www.speedtest.net you can use a website. A measurement is not a measurement, run the test several times and you can average the results. The download and upload speed must reach the speed specified in the contract, if the difference is more than a few percent, restart the modem, then if the slow connection persists, contact the service provider and inform them of the error! Even the error of a penny signal attenuator can cause slowdowns and interruptions!
In addition to speed, ping, i.e. response time, is also very important; In Windows, you can use the tracert command to see how fast a response is received from individual websites. For example, the “tracert pcwplus.hu” command shows how quickly a response is received from the server. The result shows that the connection is not built directly, but through several stations; if the access time of each station is more than 20 ms, this may indicate a problem. A solution may be to change the DNS server, which will be discussed later.
In the second round, see how fast the communication between the devices is. For this you will need two notebooks or PCs. You can check the speed of the local network – among other things – with the Lan Speed Test. In the case of a wired connection, the theoretical maximum speed of a 1 Gb/s network is 125 MB/s, in practice a speed of over 100 MB/s is considered good. For a 100 Mb/s network, the theoretical peak is 12.5 MB/s, while a 2.5 Gb/s LAN can theoretically move 312.5 MB/s of data. Ping is also important here, you need to check how fast the router can be reached; you can check this with the “tracert (router IP address)” command. The result should be under 10ms.
Suggested solution: if the speed available with devices using a wired connection is significantly lower than 100 MB/s (assuming a Gigabit network), or the ping is too high, then there is a good chance that the cable is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Testing Wi-Fi speed is trickier, since the speed depends not only on the Wi-Fi standard, but also on many other factors; from the distance of the devices or, in the case of an apartment building, even from the neighbor’s Wi-Fi. The easiest way to check the quality of the Wi-Fi network is with a smartphone; for example, after installing an application called Wi-Fi Analyzer or Wi-Fi Scanner, since with this you can measure the signal strength or the speed of the Wi-Fi connection at any point in the apartment. In general, we can say that the data transmission speed of a router is adequate if it can achieve at least half of the nominal speed in practice. However, it is also worth considering that 2.4 GHz networks are now considered obsolete – if you have one at home, you should think about replacing the router, since you can buy a Wi-Fi router for HUF 10-15 thousand that can also communicate on 5 GHz. If, along with these, you feel that the Wi-Fi is not working properly, then check the following.
2. Use a “real” router
Most of the modems installed by Internet service providers also work as Wi-Fi routers, but you are better off in almost every aspect if you use the modem only as a modem and connect it to the WAN port of a branded router with its extra functions turned off. You can do this through the modem’s web interface, but it may also work if you call your service provider and ask them to switch your device to modem mode. A branded router usually offers higher performance, is more secure, and can be configured more flexibly.
3. Here is the router, where is the router?
In terms of Wi-Fi coverage and signal strength, the location of the router is the most important factor. On the one hand, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the router is located relatively high (at least 1.75 meters), and on the other hand, that you do not place it near household appliances that create a strong magnetic field during operation (washing machine, dishwasher, oven, electric hob). . Do not put the router in a metal cabinet or in the immediate vicinity of metal objects either, because they create shadows and thus create dead spaces in the apartment.
Obviously, the floor plan of the apartment also affects where exactly the optimal place is located; in the case of large or multi-story houses, there is a chance that a single router will not be able to serve the needs. If two or more devices form the backbone of the network, you should try to build a wired connection between them – this is especially important in multi-story buildings.
The signal strength of the router can be increased with the help of a higher gain antenna – provided that it is possible; this simply needs to be screwed in place of the factory antenna. If you are trying to replace it, choose an antenna with a gain of at least 10 dBi. Unfortunately, not all devices have this option. Designer routers work with fixed or built-in antennas, and these cannot be replaced at home.
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Source: www.pcwplus.hu
