link quality ?

[TigerMask]

what's the difference between "link quality" and "signal strength" ?
I have D-link DWL-650+ wireless card and it's utilityprogram shows "link quality" and "signal strength" of wireless connection.
does "link quality" matter ?

 

[JackMDS]

I just set the same card with D-Link 900AP+ over the weekend.

It seems to me that, Signal Quality gives a Visual Estimation of the strength of the Transmission signal (db of the 2.4 GHz Radio carrier).

Signal Quality is a function of the Wireless Hardware, and the interaction with the environment.

You would like to achieve maximum Signal Quality by positioning the AP in an obstruction free environment etc.

Link Quality is a Visual Estimation of the ?Speed? that the connection transfer network info. (Mb/sec.)

If the computer Network settings are correct, and optimized, there is not too much you can do about the Link Quality. I think it fluctuate due to Electrical interference in the environment. I.e. good signal with electrical junk components on it, and the junk interfere with the Network info.

 

[ktwebb]

Signal strength is just that. A visual representation of the strength of the carrier between the two nodes.

Signal quality is a ratio of the carrier signal to signal noise. (SNR)

Signal quality is much more important that strength when your doing your site survey or troubleshooting.

Poor signal strength = possibly a bad link but not necessarily

Poor signal quality = shitty link

It's a bit more complex than that but simplified signal quality means how much noise you have in your environment and decent signal quality is pivotal.