Wireless Network Planning - Distance, Speed and Adapters

So you want a Wireless N network Installed. My next question is what type of network do you need? When we install a wireless network in Highland Park IL or the North Shore of Chicago we ask the customer many questions about exactly what the home owner needs. This article will describe what you need to consider when contracting or installing a wireless network.

1. What will you be doing on your wireless network? - Bandwidth requireMents are very import when considering a wireless N network installation. If you are down loading large files, streaming video, or music or Watch online movies they you are going to need what we call a wireless multimedia network. Multimedia networks need guaranteed bandwidth.

2. How large is the area that you need covered? - Probably a better question is how large and where and what you will be doing. Most people will purchase a Linksys Wireless N router and get the speeds they want in the same room of the router and then find that 15 ft away their wireless speed will drop to half or worse.

3. What type of wireless adapters do you already have? .If all of your Computers have 802.11g wireless adapters and you purchase a wireless N router you not see the advertised speeds on the box. So you could save money buy purchasing an 802.11g MIMO enabled router or if you want wireless N speeds you will have to purchase wireless n adapters for you Computers.

4. What is the construction material for you home - Highland Park Illinois homes have many older brick homes, which are not friendly to Linksys or Dlink wireless routers. These types of homes require more powerful wireless networking equipMent to blast through walls and plumbing pipe.

5. Do you want outdoor wireless access? Most people don't think about it but it is great to sit outside and do work by your pool or on your deck rather than being stuck inside next to your wireless router.

Get everything you expect and more when installing your wireless network. Your wireless networks performance has many factors, distance, construction materials, RF interference, power of the wireless router, applications, and antenna types. Don't believe the hype on the Wireless N box. Know what speeds you will have in each room before you buy.

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