Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware

Introduction

Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware

Please note that to ensure the performance of your wireless network, you must carefully plan the positioning of your wireless networking hardware.

Examples of Wireless Networking Hardware:

•Wireless Router

•Wireless Range Extender/Access Point

•Wireless Notebook Network Card

•Wireless Desktop Network Card

•Wireless USB Network Adapter

•Wireless USB Print Server

•Wireless Ethernet Adapter

Wireless technology is radio-based, which means connectivity and throughput performance between devices decreases when the distance between devices increases. Other factors that will cause signal degradation (metal is generally the worst culprit) are obstructions such as walls and appliances. As a result, the typical indoor range of your Wireless devices will be between 100–200 feet.

The Wireless Router is the central connection point of the network, with all wireless clients (i.e. wireless notebook network cards, wireless desktop network card, and wireless USB adapters) attached to it. In order to achieve the best wireless network coverage for your connected computers, your Router should be placed as close as possible to the center of the area that your want to cover with antennas pointing UP. In multistory homes, place the Router on a floor that is as close to the center of the home as possible; this may mean placing the Router on an upper floor. Wireless devices work best in

aline-of-sight situation where there are no obstacles between the wireless client and the Router.