Wireless traffic jam in the future? Got my wireless up and running today... and...

[Pandaren]

.... after getting the IBM drivers to play nicely with IBM Access Connections (some sort of manager) I was able to detect a couple WiFi networks. There were some networks named "linksys", one called "penthouse", one from a hotel across the street, and one that had signal strenth of 50% :Q if I moved my computer near the window.

As far as I could tell these are all 802.11b networks. The network with the strongest signal was unprotected, and I was able to get onto AnandTech and talk over AIM with people. However I didn't want to steal any more bandwith from these poor folks so I am back on my wired LAN.

I had no idea there were this many 802.11b networks in the vicinity. If there are too many of them, will they all start interfereing with each other?

I felt kind of stupid paying extra for 802.11a capability in addition to 802.11b/g, but if things get more crowded, that 5 GHz band might come in handy if I want my own WLAN...

 

[iwearnosox]

I'd cancel my dsl and leech of the neighbor a while then.

 

[Savij]

It's not a huge issue because you only have so many different networks in the same 300' radius. This gets cut down even more as you have walls, and electrical interference. Even with cordless phones competing for the same frequency, it doesn't matter too much. The only conceivable problem I can think of is a lan party where everyone brings their own access points.

 

[Pandaren]

I'd cancel my dsl and leech of the neighbor a while then

Heh. Well if the neighbor wises up and secures the network, I'd be out of a 'net connection (there are other networks but the signals are really bad). Besides, I feel guilty stealing their bandwidth (although concededly, as I don't download stuff or file share, my use of their bandwidth would probably go unnoticed).

It's not a huge issue because you only have so many different networks in the same 300' radius

Interesting. I wonder how many networks could exist within that radius without things being choked up. I don't know a lot about wireless technology, but I think I will read up on it more.

 

[hevnsnt]

lol.. I assume the one you are using is "linksys"

try going to 192.168.1.1
leave username blank
pw: admin

Just for testing sakes.

*before you judge, he is already connected to it, and these people are stupid.