Wireless home networking...upstairs or down?

stash

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2000
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I'm considering installing a wireless network that could be used to share a Road Runner line with all of the machines in the house.

I would prefer to have the Road Runner guys install the cable modem in the basement, so I don't have wires going up the side of the house. All of the computers would be on the second floor (above main floor). My question is, will putting a WAP in the basement offer decreased performance when compared to putting it upstairs?

Also, will I have to set a computer temporarily in the basement when the Road Runner guy comes to hook up the service? Or will they just hook everything up and let me do the rest. I only ask since I just want to pay for one connection and use a router/gateway to hide all the other machines on the home LAN.
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
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By policy, RR (NY) will not install, and verify service unless it is one computer directly connected.

I would suggest that you prepare a computer for the downstairs.

As for location, it depends on the polarization pattern of the Antenna; in most cases, you are better off putting the Antenna in the lower position I.e. the basement.

Wireless and Range:

The Wireless manufactures are relatively careful. They usually claim a solid distance when they put the equipment on two towers with no Visual and electrical interference.

Indoors it is any body guess, in part, because our environment includes many transmission obstructions. (Electrical Screening).
Most of Houses has Insulation with Aluminum Foil cover, metal screens, cordless telephones, microwave etc. Out door trees, buildings, electrical lines etc.

As a result, entry level Wireless Instruments residing indoor, end up with a typical range of 30' to 70'. Out door with an unobstructed view, you can get more.

Replacing the regular Antenna with Hi Gain auxiliary Antenna usually improves the distance of the Wireless unit.

The major advantage of most auxiliary antennae is the capability to be connected through a cable to the Router (or WAP), thus giving the flexibility to put the antenna in a better position then the Router (higher and in the middle of the environment).

However you have to be careful about the directionality of the Antenna, some antenna gain power by making the transmission directly toward a certain point (very common in a bridging situation when one bridge is pointed toward the other bridge).

An antenna that transmits all around is called omni directional, otherwise the segment that is covered is defined in the specs. usually indicating vertical and horizontal converge.

Here is a Quote from:

http://www.zoom.com/zoomair/zaaops.shtml

1. Gain - Decibel (dBi* or dBic for circular) expression for the ratio of the radiation intensity in a given direction relative to a theoretical isotropic (omni-directional) radiator.

2. Polarization: Linear - A pattern requiring antennas to be placed in the same orientation with close attention to polarization alignment angle (alignment should be within ± 5° for optimum performance).

3. Polarization: Right-hand circular - A pattern that reduces the effects of reflections in a typical indoor environment providing improved coverage for access point use.

4. Azimuth - The radiation intensity pattern located in the horizontal plane.

*dbi relates to the amount of gain in power.

A selection of aux. Antennae.


When it comes to Wireless your mileage may varied, there are too many environmental variables that are unique to each individual setting