SearchNetworking.com member Paul H wrote:

There is no way to boost the signal strength of most wireless routers, the output is governed by the design and by law in many countries.

My company has found one of the best places to deploy wireless access points or routers is above the areas where access is required i.e. in the roof spaces. In a lot of older buildings there is little or no metal or brick up there but plenty in the walls between rooms, so the signal gets into all of the rooms below the the AP.

_________________________________

Dana L. McCurley

Editor, ExpertAnswerCenter.com
Editor, ITKnowledge Exchange
dmccurley@techtarget.com
AIM: bunnylvr21
Work: 781/657-1496
Cell: 508/308-4897

TechTarget
117 Kendrick St.
Ste. 800
Needham, MA 02494

SearchNetworking.com member Paul H wrote:

There is no way to boost the signal strength of most wireless routers, the output is governed by the design and by law in many countries.

My company has found one of the best places to deploy wireless access points or routers is above the areas where access is required i.e. in the roof spaces. In a lot of older buildings there is little or no metal or brick up there but plenty in the walls between rooms, so the signal gets into all of the rooms below the the AP.

_________________________________

Dana L. McCurley

Editor, ExpertAnswerCenter.com
Editor, ITKnowledge Exchange
dmccurley@techtarget.com
AIM: bunnylvr21
Work: 781/657-1496
Cell: 508/308-4897

TechTarget
117 Kendrick St.
Ste. 800
Needham, MA 02494

SearchNetworking.com member Rudolph S. wrote:

With 30 years of experience in the RF industry and having an FCC commercial license I can offer a few simple suggestions:

– If the wireless router has the capability (e.g. CISCO), make sure the dual antenna ports are split, as to: one is the Rx antenna, the other is the Tx antenna.

– Make sure the Tx and Rx antennae are seperated by at least 6 feet to reduce RFI. Use coaxial cable with BNC connectors, soldered type is the best.

– The Rx antenna should be placed in a central location (e.g. in the Hung Ceiling), away from any steel girders and concrete (concrete often contains rebar, which is steel). —
Look for Good Line of Sight. 2.7GHz is a very directional signal band.

– If available, a spectrum analyzer should be used for the best Received Signal Strength Indicator reading from the workstations and servers for antenna placement.

– Tx antenna placement can be guaged by using the workstation’s utility for the Wirless NIC. A room corner can deflect the signal back into the room thus enhancing the Tx signal. This depends on the wall construction, plain sheetrock will not act as a deflector.

Antenna placement is critical for the Best RF signal!

——————————
Dana L. McCurley

Editor, ExpertAnswerCenter.com
Editor, ITKnowledge Exchange
dmccurley@techtarget.com
AIM: bunnylvr21
Work: 781/657-1496
Cell: 508/308-4897

TechTarget
117 Kendrick St.
Ste. 800
Needham, MA 02494

SearchNetworking.com member Rudolph S. wrote:

With 30 years of experience in the RF industry and having an FCC commercial license I can offer a few simple suggestions:

– If the wireless router has the capability (e.g. CISCO), make sure the dual antenna ports are split, as to: one is the Rx antenna, the other is the Tx antenna.

– Make sure the Tx and Rx antennae are seperated by at least 6 feet to reduce RFI. Use coaxial cable with BNC connectors, soldered type is the best.

– The Rx antenna should be placed in a central location (e.g. in the Hung Ceiling), away from any steel girders and concrete (concrete often contains rebar, which is steel). —
Look for Good Line of Sight. 2.7GHz is a very directional signal band.

– If available, a spectrum analyzer should be used for the best Received Signal Strength Indicator reading from the workstations and servers for antenna placement.

– Tx antenna placement can be guaged by using the workstation’s utility for the Wirless NIC. A room corner can deflect the signal back into the room thus enhancing the Tx signal. This depends on the wall construction, plain sheetrock will not act as a deflector.

Antenna placement is critical for the Best RF signal!

——————————
Dana L. McCurley

Editor, ExpertAnswerCenter.com
Editor, ITKnowledge Exchange
dmccurley@techtarget.com
AIM: bunnylvr21
Work: 781/657-1496
Cell: 508/308-4897

TechTarget
117 Kendrick St.
Ste. 800
Needham, MA 02494