microwave disables my office's internet

[tami]

Y HALO THAR.

our office is a relatively small one-room "shop" where everyone sits by desks and our network infrastructure is laid out so that there are some routers maybe 10 feet away from a microwave with our cable modem at the other side of the room.

lately, we've realized that when using the microwave for prolonged periods in excess of 1min, the network connection is crapping out.

anyone have any ideas on how to better this situation? is the microwave bad (it didn't do this before) -- is there a way to shield the routers from the evil waves of DISCONNECTION?

kthx.

 

[FoBoT]

put the routers on a good UPS

if that doesn't fix it, create a +2 Wall of TinFoil between the microwaver and the rooters

 

[Unheard]

Is this a hardwired or wireless setup?

 

[tami]

+2 being 2 inches??? it's weird because they're not in a straight line. the routers are somewhat behind a wall (microwave is in a corner, but the routers are in another depressed corner (alcove, i don't know how to describe it).

p.s. hi fobot

 

[DnetMHZ]

Are we talking wireless network here?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

try changing channels on your wireless router.

 

[spidey07]

The gear is too close to the microwave. Move it. Also make sure you don't have any network cables in the wall near the microwave.

If it's wireless microwaves will interfere. Change channel to 1, 6, 11.

 

[George P Burdell]

I know bad (improperly shielded) microwave ovens mess with WiFi and 2.4GHz cordless phones, due to the use of similar frequencies. Best best is to buy a new microwave, because there's nothing you can do on the router side.

 

[tami]

unheard: both. i truthfully don't know what is affected (we have a crazy network setup) but it affects both wired and wireless in our office, so the problem is likely the immediate netgear wireless router that connects ultimately directly into our office's main cable modem.

 

[tami]

spidey: let's consider that mobility is not an option (except for the microwave, which really has no other place to go). i need options to shield it, not move it.

 

[jtvang125]

How easy is it to move the microwave to a different place away from the network components? If it isn't that could be a quick and easy solution.

 

[Howard]

Enclose it with water shields.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: tami
spidey: let's consider that mobility is not an option (except for the microwave, which really has no other place to go). i need options to shield it, not move it.

try alternate channels.

 

[Unheard]

Originally posted by: tami
spidey: let's consider that mobility is not an option (except for the microwave, which really has no other place to go). i need options to shield it, not move it.

Quickest way to shield it would be a wrapping the microwave in a bunch of tinfoil as someone else recommended.

 

[tami]

i'm actually thinking about considering a microwave replacement as george suggested. are there any microwaves out there that are wifi friendly?

(let me reiterate that it's not a wifi issue, but i assume that because the router the modem connects to is wireless-able, it must be affecting something there. otherwise, i think we need to hit the drawing board again)

 

[tami]

mikey, what channels?

howard, wtf

 

[GasX]

They both operate at 2.4 GHz, so you may have trouble killing the problem entirely but the adice here so far is a good start...

 

[yowolabi]

I'm suprised you didn't notice the microwave shielding had gone bad by that burning smell coming from your insides.

Edit: aluminum foil should work as a shield.

 

[So]

yeah, essentially build a tinfoil hat for your microwave.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: tami
i'm actually thinking about considering a microwave replacement as george suggested. are there any microwaves out there that are wifi friendly?

(let me reiterate that it's not a wifi issue, but i assume that because the router the modem connects to is wireless-able, it must be affecting something there. otherwise, i think we need to hit the drawing board again)

no. all microwaves emit radiation in the same band as wifi. TRY CHANGING CHANNELS.

and if you are too dense to listen for a 4th time, I give up.

 

[BoomerD]

Get rid of the microwave. It's a convenience, not a necessity.

 

[So]

Oh, make sure your shield is grounded.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: tami
mikey, what channels?

howard, wtf

if you access your routers management console, there are options for channels 1-11 for the broadcast signal. I have found that 1 or 11 can fix many problems with interference

 

[tami]

mikey: 4th time my ass. i think you mentioned it once and i answered after i saw your post. retard.

yowolabi: i don't use the microwave and i don't need to smell the crap that goes in there. i just help find solutions for networking issues. and no, that's not my job description (which is why i'm asking).

 

[tami]

mikey - and how is changing the wireless channel (it's at 11 now, so i'd be moving it to 1) going to help the issue with the loss of connectivity on the wired side?