Does 802.11b/g channel matter?

[shrumpage]

I have a Linksys Wireless WTRG B/G capable, pretty standard. It is setup on factory default.

I tried using my Wii to access the store to re download a game. It could not connect. If i used the internet browser through the Wii, it worked perfect. Did a quick google, and found a suggestion of changing the channel from the default 6 to 1 or 11. I choose 1. Wii worked fine, I was able to re-download the game.

That is kinda weird, not sure if it sa Wii thing or linksys.

But after making that change, all of a sudden the network performance on my desktop (pci wireless) goes to crap. Then it can't see the wireless network at all.

After the standard restarts, and fiddling on the PC, i set the wireless channel to 11 on the router. Instantly it starts working. Network shows up, can connect, works great.


I have never encountered an issue with wireless where the channel had such a great impact. Has anyone any idea why this would be an issue? Maybe just crappy linksys gear? I'm open to any suggestions opinions on this.

 

[ScottMac]

Well, for background, in North America, we get 11 channels, the centers of each of those channels are 5MHz apart. However, each channel actually occupies ~22.5-25Mhz ... meaning that channels closer than five channel numbers apart will interfere with each other (and anything in-between).

The other possible factor is that you mention 802.11B, as well as 802.11g; they use the same frequencies and channels, but modulate and encode the spectrum differently. If you had a dozen clients all running G, and a B client shows up in your space, whether it associates or not, **CAN** (probable but not absolute, depending on your settings) cause your throughput to drop, as the AP has to switch modes between B and G, while telling the G clients what the B clients said (and vice-versa, because they don't "understand" each other's language/encoding/modulation).

And the other factor, the most likely factor, is simply interference from other things (phones, microwave ovens) and wireless clients (802.11ZB, 802.11G, Bluetooth, baby monitors, etc).

Channel 11, oddly enough is the "most likely" channel to catch interference from microwave ovens, and maybe some other stuff.

What you may want to do, just for your own curiosity, is download NetStumbler (www.netstumbler.com, it's free) and see how much of what kind of stuff it sees in your environment. It will give you an idea of how many other wireless systems are in range, and some indication of "noise" levels in your environment.

The general plan is usually to choose the least-congested, least noisy channel, within the choices of channels 1, 6, and 11.

Chances are you will see roughly the same performance from any of the SOHO-grade routers / APs.

If you have B clients, then you need to choose settings that are compatible for both 802.11B as well as 802.11G.

JackMDS "probably" (likely, absolutely) has some good text on this that he will share with you when the opportunity arises.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[shrumpage]

Thanks for the info.

I was aware of the spacing, and always space multiple APs along the channels you mentioned. There are only a few clients, but all of them are G, can will try and set the router to G only.

I'll run stumbler to check the noise.

Desktop was unable to even see the network, but did see a neighbors. My laptop only a few feet way, worked flawlessly the whole time.