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Wireless Networking |
1. Why does my Signal Strength say “Low”? Wireless networking has been made simple in the most recent versions of the Windows Operating System. With the “Wireless Zero Configuration” utility built in, a user can do practically anything they would like on a wireless network. Signal Level:
Often, with Windows XP and Windows 2000, a small screen will pop up stating that your signal level has changed. These screens (similar to those shown above) can show the following signal strengths: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Low, Very Low. We have found that often the signal levels are not 100% accurate. When they are accurate (or as close as they can be), Windows provides no other explanation to the signal strength other than the graphical interface you can get by clicking on the Wireless Network Adapter Icon (the two computers). At this point, you are provided information about the signal strength with only green and white bars (with no other correlation of bars to signal strength). We feel that it is our duty to explain how these signal levels (both bars and signal strength indicators) are obtained. Getting Technical With wireless networking with 802.11b, your speed is determined through calculations of the signal you are receiving, and the background noise that is on that frequency at that time. When your signal reaches a level that is within 10dBm of the background noise, your data rates shift from 11Mbps to 5.5Mbps. At 8dBm from the noise level, your data rates shift to 2 Mbps. Similarly, at 6dBm, the data rates go down to 1Mbps (practically nothing in comparison). This difference between the signal level and noise level is called the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). Likewise, there are certain SNR levels that Windows uses to determine its signal strength declarations.
Figure 5: SNR equation table Therefore, the SNR level shown in Figure 4, would have a reading of “Excellent” on the Windows machine. 2. If I have a ‘Low’ Signal, does that mean that my data transfers are going to be slow? Our answer to that is a very definitive “It depends." Signals vary for a multitude of of factors, including your distance from the wireless signal, the noise in the background, the type of obstructions in your way, etc. For instance, if you are a great distance from the Access Point (the unit that your computer talks to with the wireless signal), and there is a large crowd of people in your way, your signal may be absorbed by the crowd. Thus, some of the signal may not get to your computer, and the computer will have to resend the information. This could cause some delay in the data, resulting in a slower connection. On the other hand, you could be in an open field, but far from the Access Point. There would be little-to-no noise; perhaps you can even almost see the Access Point. In this case, even though your speed reads “Low,” it will most likely still be 11Mbps, because the computer doesn’t have to ask for the same data repeatedly, and it can continue to download new data. 3. Do I have to install the AEGIS client? Can’t I use the Wireless Network Logins available through Windows XP/2000? Unfortunately, the logins built into your Windows Operating System are not compatible with our system. We require that you either use a Cisco Wireless Adapter (and the software bundled with it), or the Meetinghouse AEGIS client (for use with other wireless cards.) 4. The Meetinghouse Client keeps going from Authenticated to Authenticating, and I can’t get online. This is due to an incorrect password. Please retype your username and password and try again. 5. I have wireless at home. Can I get online with my home wireless network? Follow these instructions:
6. How do I know if I have the most up-to-date versions of drivers for my wireless card? The only way to know this is to visit your wireless card manufacturer’s website, which will list the most recent version. 7. The scan button doesn’t light up when I double-click on my wireless card in the AEGIS client. Make sure that your wireless card is turned on and working. If it is, please make sure that you have the most recent drivers. 8. The AEGIS Client says that it is authenticated, but I cannot get online. Here are a couple of tips for troubleshooting this problem:
9. When I installed the AEGIS client, it changed my Windows login screen. How do I change this? At this point, there is no way to change it back without un-installing the AEGIS client. This is caused by the AEGIS client's ability to pull information regarding the Windows login to use logging into the wireless network. 10. After trying to authenticate, the wireless card (in the AEGIS Client) says Disconnected. This is because the Authentication Protocol is incorrect. To correct this problem:
(Please make sure Authentication Protocol reads “Generic Token Card.”) 11. I can get online fine at school, but when I go home to my SBC/Yahoo DSL, I can’t get online. To correct this problem:
You should now be online. |
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