My wifi connection is slow, should I create a bridge?

Question

I have a wireless linksys router setup and the distance is far away from my computer. I can't move my computer closer but I would like the connection to work better, page loading is slow right now. Should I create a wireless bridge? Get another router and connect it to the ethernet port on my pc and have it connect to router #1? I heard about the canasta but I dont have a network card that has an external attenna and I dont want to open up my laptop. Can I buy a better network card and use that instead? I have a Broadcom 802.11 b/g WLAN driver 3.100.65.1
A good answer gets 10 points thanks a lot.

Answer 1

You have a few options. First, you could consider using a high gain antenna set for your linksys. This is not always the best option, but should work well if your laptop and wireless router are on the same level, like on the same floor of your home. But if your router is in the basement and the laptop is in a 2nd floor bedroom, a high gain antenna will actually make things worse.

Beware of wireless repeaters (range expanders) because due to the way they operate and how the wireless protocols work, each wireless repeater you add will cut your performance in half. Depending on what you're doing, you may or may not notice this.

Other option (if you cannot move your linksys and laptop closer together) is to use a 2nd access point. Only trouble is you would have to run a cat5 wire to it. If at all possible, go with this option. Make sure you run the 2nd access point with a different IP address, and on a different channel, choose from 1, 6 and 11. Config theSSID and all security settings the same on the 2nd AP.

The bridging idea you mentioned can be made to work, but it would be cumbersome and non standard, and even then, only if your access points support bridge mode or workgroup bridge mode. Even then, it's probably more trouble than it's worth.

Finally, make sure your slow connection isn't something other than just a poor signal due to distance between your laptop and wireless router. For example, interference from a 2.4GHz cordless telephone system, a neighbors wireless LAN running on the same channel, etc. Make sure your AP is in a good spot (not buried behind a computer chassis inside a cabinet, not right next to a metal filing cabinet, etc.)

If you already did some interference troubleshooting like changing channels 1, 6 and 11 in turn and made sure there are no other sources of interference... that is, if you're pretty darn sure it's just plain weak signal due to distance, then buy a pair of the linksys high gain antennas.

Answer 2

Don't bridge.

Most likely you're getting interference if you're getting bad connection on a 802.11g Make sure that only g cards are connected though -- the linksys will run as slows as the slowest connection. Also, make sure your wireless network is secured -- using WEP -- it won't keep out the determined hackers, but it will keep out the freeloaders who might be slowing you down.

Is there an obvious source of interference between the router and your PC like an elevator, or a microwave?

Finally, try forcing a channel change - see if that makes any difference. If you live in the city, you can DEFINITLY be getting interference from other wireless networks around you.

Answer 3

RTFM.