Wlan optimization guide - Set up your home network

[In-f3st]

Hey guys, I wanted to make a short tutorial for WLAN optimization and router placement...

1. Position your router

The first and most important rule, place your router on an position in your home that will cover most of your home.
What this means is that you should avoid position like under the staircase, in a closet (you won't believe but people do that), next to an large electrical machines (fridge, microwave...), concrete walls and most important, try to place the router in the middle of your home/room, that way the antenna will cover most of your home.
This is due to the fact that most routers come with an omnidirectional antenna, so you can't really point it in a certain direction and expect a stronger signal.

- If possible, some routers have an removable antenna, so you can replace it with a stronger one (the stock antennas are mostly very weak), it's not that expensive...

2. Adjust your WLAN channel

Most ISP given routers are set to do everything automatically that includes the channel selection.
You wireless signal is emitting on different channels, which has it's upsides and downsides.
Some channels are more resistant to distortion and offer faster transmission rates then others.
My suggestion is to set it to channel 1,6 or 11. They are the ones that have the least signal interception...
For more info check this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11

3. WLAN adapter

If you are using a WLAN adapter or PCI device, it would be best to use an adapter from the same manufacturer as your routers.
It's not always possible to do this, but for some reason they seem to work better together and seem to be more synced.
The same thing applies to the WLAN adapter as to the router, don't place it in a corner or near some other electrical devices ( this one is tough if you are using it on a desktop PC, but hell man try to do something about the position ).

4. Update your software

Also, don't forget to update your drivers on a regular basis.
Drivers are the no.1 problem considering Wireless connections issues.
If you are experiencing some problems and you can't connect or open web pages be sure to check your drivers.
If you feel that your WLAN software is working badly, switch to Windows Zero Configuration, I find it more reliable and faster.

5. 802.11b < 802.11g

Be sure to change your WLAN standard from 802.11b to 802.11g.
I know there is a newer standard, but it there are still many devices that don't support it yet so stick to 802.11g if you are not sure.
This standard works on 54Mbit/s and that should be more than enough

6. Use fixed IP/DNS

For some reason, the usual IPS routers use DHCP but they don't distribute the IP/DNS to the adapter.
I suggest you find out which DNS servers your ISP uses and you assing them to your TCP/IP adapter settings.
You will notice that your browser will open and load pages faster.

7. Secure your WLAN signal

There are several encryption protocols.
Most routers are set to the default 128bit WEP encryption.
If you are using this encryption method change it! This is the weakest encryption and with the right tools you can break the key within 3 minutes (even with your iPhone ).
More info on that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluhrer..._Shamir_attack

Switch to WPA or any stronger encryption method supported by your router / adapter.

Also important and fairly easy, change your SSID!
The combination of SSID and encryption is important.
Here is a list of the most common SSIDs that you should aviod at all cost!!!
http://wigle.net/gps/gps/main/ssidstats

8. Secure your router

This is very important, change your username and password for your gateway.
If someone is trying to get into your Wireless network, he will most likely hack your account and/or username.
Some routers give you the option to change your login user/pass (Siemens...), some require you to log in as the admin (Thomson, Dlink...).
Change these so at least your router will be safe if your network is compromised.

My last tip is, use a cable
Is the safest way and the fastest!

Hope some of you found some tips you can use to make your network safer/faster...

[Swarup]

Good work In-f3st

My last tip is, use a cable
Is the safest way and the fastest!

Cable connection always secure and fast than wireless connection

[Murphy]

Hi,
Thanks for this guide .
Best regards !

[Alboguy]

Good Job man!!! Thank you for sharing with us! I needed sth like this.

[safeguy]

Great guide...I'm moving this to Network section & sticky-ing it there Hope no one minds.

[jhbalaji]

Sometimes in some place we can't use Cable Connect say at Cafeteria
Think of there 100's of cables connecting each persons computer that's not possible and its costly
In such places only WLAN i used

I home if your phone is in the Main Hall and if you need to use your Notebook at Bedroom than Connecting with T1 LAN Cable costs you more
So its better to use the WLAN Connection Friend!

[In-f3st]

Well, I wouldn't agree with you, I think I wrote why it is better to use a cable then WLAN....

And I don't really see the point of your post but whatevea

[JayCub]

Hi in-f3st at home there are three pc's and one laptop two of the pc's are hardwired and one is wireless... i have the one cable going upstairs to my son's pc...
The question is do i have to run another cable upstairs for my partners pc or can i join the two pc's with the one cable upstairs or am i just going to slow the two upstairs down and just have to run two cables up to get it to work...

Thanks in advance...

[hellnoire]

JayCub, I think you'll need two wires for that... but don't quote me on that because I'm also not fully understanding what you mean.

[JayCub]

Thanks hellnoire i have two pc's upstairs one is wired directly into the router downstairs in the living-room with my own pc that's directly wired to the router then there is a second upstairs that is wireless... and from what i can gather... i think i would have to run a second wire into the living room to connect all three to the router ...