Networking / Beginners

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Troubleshooting Wireless Signals

If you troubleshoot a wireless connection that has a particularly weak signal and one that won't reach its destination, you can troubleshoot a signal by checking the following:

• Antenna type- A wireless antenna can be either omnidirectional or directional. Omnidirectional antennas are great in an environment in which there is a clear line of path between the senders and receivers. With omnidirectional antennas, the wireless signal disperses in a 360-degree pattern to all points.
  If environmental obstacles exist, a directional wireless antenna might be a better choice. The directional antenna concentrates the signal power in a specific direction and enables you to use less power for a greater distance than an omnidirectional antenna. Omnidirectional antennas are well suited inside office buildings to accommodate numerous users.
• Antenna placement-Many home-use APs have a built-in antenna that is adequate to reach all areas of a home. Network APs can use an external wireless antenna, and placing it correctly is an important consideration. In general, the AP and the antenna should be located as near to each other as possible. The farther the signal has to travel over cabling from the antenna to the AP, the more signal degradation (RF attenuation) there is. Directional antennas connecting locations in a point-to-point configuration should be placed in a clear line of site between each other. Often the outdoor antennas are placed high to prevent the signal being blocked by physical objects. Indoor antennas should be kept away from large metal objects such as filing cabinets and devices that can cause RF interference.
• Boost signal-If all else fails, it is possible to purchase devices, such as wireless repeaters, that can amplify the wireless signal. The device takes the signal and amplifies it so that it has greater strength and can travel farther distances. Amplifiers increase the range that the client system can be placed from the AP.
• Bleed-Because wireless signals travel through the atmosphere, they are not bound by the same physical limitations of wired media. The dispersed nature of wireless communication can lead to problems. For example, although everyone in an office might be within range of a wireless signal, the signal is not restricted to that office, and someone outside might also use the signal. Wireless signals that travel where administrators might not want is known as bleed. Some APs and antennas enable administrators to restrict the range a wireless signal transmits by reducing the strength of the wireless signal output. Bleed makes wireless security measures essential. To prevent people from using a signal, encryption and other methods are used. So, a user might see the wireless signal but not use the wireless network without the proper security clearance.
• Distance-Wireless signals degrade as they travel from their point of origin. While troubleshooting wireless signals, you might need to relocate the AP closer to client systems or add wireless routers to increase the wireless transmission range. Administrators often use wireless signal testers to ensure transmission ranges are adequate before implementing the wireless network.

TIP: When troubleshooting wireless signals, it is often necessary to relocate the AP to a more favorable location.

To successfully manage the wireless signals, you need to know the wireless standard that you are using. The standards used today specify range distances, RF ranges, and speeds. It might be that the wireless standard cannot do what you need.