Faster Wireless Networks

Being able to browse the internet, download files, and purchase products online quickly and efficiently is one of the biggest goals of a wireless network. Several companies are looking for ways to create faster wireless networks. Depending upon the Wi-Fi performance of your computer, a wireless local area network (WLANs) can offer a bandwidth of 54Mbps. Wireless networks are capable of delivering more speed than they are currently operating at.

Computer networking is constantly being worked on by the U.S. military, as it allows their soldiers to communicate with one another and receive data when they are in the field. Currently the U.S. military is working on creating a new generation of mobile ad-hoc networks. These networks are self-configuring networks of wireless nodes that allow military personnel faster and more reliable tactical communications.

This network coding has become one of the largest fields for future technology. Microsoft is currently testing a program called, Avalanche. Avalanche is being used to test network coding to deliver wide-scale on-demand TV and software patches without causing bottlenecks. Mobile wireless networks are not able to communication with network coding and this is still causing several problems in the testing phase. Network coding will allow you to use less bandwidth to send information, allowing for faster internet browsing and file sending.

If you are looking for ways to improve the speed of your wireless network, here are some suggestions:

First, take a look at where you have placed your wireless router. Avoid placing your wireless router next to or near a wall or on a metal object such as a cabinet. Your wireless router needs to be in a central location in your home. If your wireless router is next to an exterior wall in your home, it will cause the signal to be weak on the opposite side of your home.

Second, replace your wireless router's antenna. The standard antenna on a wireless router is designed to broadcast in all directions around the router. This means that if you have your wireless router placed on an outside wall, half of your signal is being sent outside your home and half of the power of your router will be wasted broadcasting outside your home. Wireless routers typically do not allow you to increase the power output, but you can make better use of the power. You can purchase a hi-gain antenna that will focus the wireless network in only one direction, allowing you to aim the signal in the direction you need it the most.

Third, try changing your wireless channel. Most wireless routers are able to broadcast on several different channels. Sometimes one wireless channel is clearer than another, try changing the channel to see if your signal strength improves.

Fourth, replace your computers wireless network adapter. Because wireless network signals need to be sent to and from your computer, you may notice that your router has a strong broadcast, but your computer doesn't have enough strength to send signals back to your router. You can replace the PC card-based wireless network adapter with a USB network adapter that will use an external antenna.

Fifth, try adding a wireless repeater. A wireless repeater will extend your wireless network range without any additional wiring. You will need to place the wireless repeater between your wireless access point and your computer. Your wireless signal strength will immediately improve when you place it in your home.

Sixth, a final tip to increase your wireless network speed is to pick equipment from one vendor and stick with them. If you purchase a wireless router from Linksys and a network adapter from D-Link, you will receive adequate performance, but it is better to purchase both products from the same vendor because they are tested together and typically talk to each other easier than they do with other company's products.