ESSID change affecting performance?

[Gamingphreek]

Ok guys - In all of my years working on computers and networks, I have never seen this problem.

I moved into my apartment in July with FiOS installed then. I had an Actiontec Rev F (Wireless N) router. I promptly changed to WPA2, changed the ESSID, and told the router not to broadcast.

Well about a week ago, I noticed that my Wireless performance had absolutely tanked. After battling with FiOS tech support, I was finally sent a new router.

Even though I received a wireless g router, I should still be able to saturate my WAN-side 25/25 connection like I do when operating wired.

When I rename my network to 'HOKIENET' my ping times to the router steadily increase until they reach over 1000ms. I changed it just now to 'HOKIELAN' just now and my performance increased from the 5Mb/1Mb to 20Mb/15Mb.

All (or nearly all) the neighboring apartments are broadcasting via FiOS routers which make it very congested (Among the frequency bands) here. I still don't think this justifies the changes to the ESSID affecting performance...

Any ideas?

 

[Fardringle]

The "not broadcasting" part is more likely to be the cause of the problem than the actual change of SSID name. Some wireless devices just don't work well if the SSID is hidden.

It could also be interference from the neighbors. Since there are so many networks nearby, I strongly recommend that you use a scanning utility like Wireless NetView to see which channels are being used. Pick the channel (1, 6, or 11) that is used the least and/or has the fewest strong signals using the same channel and set your router to use that channel. If there aren't any free, or relatively free channels available, you might have to switch to the 5.4Ghz frequency range (A band, or Wireless N) to get a reliable signal.

 

[Gamingphreek]

The "not broadcasting" part is more likely to be the cause of the problem than the actual change of SSID name. Some wireless devices just don't work well if the SSID is hidden.

It could also be interference from the neighbors. Since there are so many networks nearby, I strongly recommend that you use a scanning utility like Wireless NetView to see which channels are being used. Pick the channel (1, 6, or 11) that is used the least and/or has the fewest strong signals using the same channel and set your router to use that channel. If there aren't any free, or relatively free channels available, you might have to switch to the 5.4Ghz frequency range (A band, or Wireless N) to get a reliable signal.

The problem with switching to the 5GHZ band is that I am stuck with the FiOS router which doesn't support it. I guess the only option in that case would be double NATing. (Is there any other ways that ya'll can think of)

Additionally, correct me if I am wrong, devices that do not support Wireless N will not be able to utilize the 5GHZ range (PS3, Sprint HTC Hero, etc...)

I unhid the router, but it is already set to Auto select the frequency. Let me try and manually set the channel based on NetView's results.

Thanks!
-Kevin

 

[sxr7171]

You don't have to double NAT. You can buy a router and disable the NAT. Or you could buy a 5GHz access point. Yes, many of your devices wouldn't connect to the 5Ghz band but what's most important is if your primary device can or not. Currently only one device in my home uses that 5Ghz band and it's still worth it.