Its true that some alien devices such as TV extenders etc use the 2.4GHz band as well. Especially the TV extenders can be a source for interference since they use directional antennas with relatively high gain. In most cases, it is possible to keep your home wireless network free from interference. It all comes down to selecting the right channels. What most people are not aware of is that you should try to use only channel 1, 6 or 11 in a 2.4GHz band although 11 channels (FCC) or 13 channels (ETSI) are available. These three channels are non-overlapping channels and so they can provide the full bandwidth available. Not everyone will be able to site survey their home environment but there are a few simple applications available that provide basic but useful information in order to properly setup your home wireless.
1. NetStumbler: http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/ This free utility scans the environment for wireless networks. It will tell you on what channels they are active. With this basic test you can see with channels are occupied and so you can configure your own network to operate on a free channel. If no channel is free, then select one were the used signal is weak (low SNR level). NetStumbler is able to see networks that are not broadcasting their SSIDs as well. It is a very good tool. 2. Some Windows drivers provide basic channel information (like NetStumbler) as well. For example: Intel, Toshiba etc. If yours doesnt provide it then use NetStumbler. 3. Another one, more complex and chargeable, is Wi-Spy: http://www.metageek.net/ Wi-Spy is also able to run a recording over a longer period of time. This will provide you with a better view of what is going on in the 2.4GHz band. We use this at work during site surveys and when customers complain about response times. Works great. Hope this helps. -- Pascal Hibon __________________________________________________ 2 x SB3 - both wireless, ReadyNAS NV+ running SBS, iPeng on iPod Touch. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pascal Hibon's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7969 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=65719
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