Wifi settings?

[darkknight74]

Which wifi settings do you use to get the best wifi signal? Asus rt-n66u

Is this correct?

 

[Marinemaster]

On the 2.4 band chose 20 MHz only not 20/40 MHz

 

[L&LD]

Do not use 'N Only', use Auto for Wireless mode.

Also: choose the channels for both the 2.4GHz band and the 5GHz band. Do not leave this setting at auto.

When testing for the best channel, don't use the one a program like inssider might show as the best - rather, with each channel you're testing - do a throughput test for both your ISP and a local LAN test and chose the channel with the most consistent and highest performance.

Also; keep your laptop stationary for all the tests and keep it plugged into the wall power (stationary eliminates that positioning variance (very high with wifi) and plugging it in ensures the best possible performance, some laptops limit performance when on battery power).


You also want to set the power to Tx 100mW.

When I tried 120mW the performance was worse in my case, but someone mentioned that 110mW worked better than 100mW for them, so it is worth trying different Tx power levels (don't measure the signal level (this does not tell us anything of the quality of that signal); do a throughput test and test at different distances to determine what Tx setting works best for you. I would be testing for this after I found the best channel first (at a short/medium distance from the router).

And you also want to only test channels 1, 6 and 11 on the 2.4GHz band. On the 5GHz band, I have found that the lower (numerical) channels offer superior range and throughput than the highest channels you can chose.


http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showpost.php?p=102550&postcount=4


In addition to the above, at least while testing (even though I suggest to leave it for normal use too) you will want to have a different ssid for the 2.4GHz band and for the 5GHz band - so that you know which band you're actually testing at any given time.

 

[darkknight74]

On the 2.4 band chose 20 MHz only not 20/40 MHz

Why that, I have read that 20/40 is better!?

 

[wouterv]

Why that, I have read that 20/40 is better!?

In crowded areas the 2.4 GHz band is fully occupied, to keep the router away from switching back and forward between 20 MHz and 40 MHz and to be friendly to your neighbors, its is better to keep things in hand and set the bandwidth fixed to 20 MHz.
Only here you read the truth ;-)

 

[darkknight74]

Do not use 'N Only', use Auto for Wireless mode.

Also: choose the channels for both the 2.4GHz band and the 5GHz band. Do not leave this setting at auto.

When testing for the best channel, don't use the one a program like inssider might show as the best - rather, with each channel you're testing - do a throughput test for both your ISP and a local LAN test and chose the channel with the most consistent and highest performance.

Also; keep your laptop stationary for all the tests and keep it plugged into the wall power (stationary eliminates that positioning variance (very high with wifi) and plugging it in ensures the best possible performance, some laptops limit performance when on battery power).


You also want to set the power to Tx 100mW.

When I tried 120mW the performance was worse in my case, but someone mentioned that 110mW worked better than 100mW for them, so it is worth trying different Tx power levels (don't measure the signal level (this does not tell us anything of the quality of that signal); do a throughput test and test at different distances to determine what Tx setting works best for you. I would be testing for this after I found the best channel first (at a short/medium distance from the router).

And you also want to only test channels 1, 6 and 11 on the 2.4GHz band. On the 5GHz band, I have found that the lower (numerical) channels offer superior range and throughput than the highest channels you can chose.


http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showpost.php?p=102550&postcount=4


In addition to the above, at least while testing (even though I suggest to leave it for normal use too) you will want to have a different ssid for the 2.4GHz band and for the 5GHz band - so that you know which band you're actually testing at any given time.

If I find the BEST channel and I change firmware do I have to find the BEST channel again or is it the same?

 

[wouterv]

If I find the BEST channel and I change firmware do I have to find the BEST channel again or is it the same?

The best channel is best as long as it is the best, this can change any moment with new neighbors, new neighbor equipment, or neighbors switching channels.
Dont be too affraid, I check the radiospectrum every so many weeks or so, and a good reason to check it again is once you experience wireless degradation.
After a firmware upgrade, taking lets say 30 minutes, you can quite safe select the best channel as found before the upgrade.

 

[darkknight74]

How do I test the 5G, my laptop dosen't find that?

 

[wouterv]

How do I test the 5G, my laptop dosen't find that?

Are you sure that your laptop should support 5 GHz?
It depends on the wireless adapter, many older laptops only support 2.4 GHz and for newer laptops only the higher class does support 5 GHz.
Keep in mind that 802.11n in the laptop specification does NOT imply support for BOTH 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, nor does it it say something about the number of antenna's.
The detailed laptop specification or wireless adapter specification shall tell you.

 

[fsatsil]

Do not use 'N Only', use Auto for Wireless mode.

If all your clients are N capable should you still choose auto?

 

[bodean]

If all your clients are N capable should you still choose auto?

N should be fine then.

 

[jlake]

If all your clients are N capable should you still choose auto?

Experiment. Try auto for a few days then try N. I didn't notice any difference. Right now I have it set to auto and it works pretty good.