Inquiries on enhancing Wi-Fi speed and reliability
Inquiries on enhancing Wi-Fi speed and reliability
I just finished configuring a machine for streaming live videos during my benching sessions, and it’s installed in an outdoor building. After testing, the Wi-Fi speeds seem a bit low, which is normal given the conditions. I know the distance, interference from nearby walls and the router, and that my setup is roughly 60 feet away. Some people recommend using a repeater or extender, while others think it’s unnecessary. I’m still adjusting things like antenna placement and have noticed that an older Rosewill single antenna Wi-Fi module with a D-Link USB base works better than the card I bought for this purpose—it has two antennas. The card I have now is a Fenvi WiFi 6 AX3000 PCIe model (FV-AX3000RGB), offering up to 2400Mbps, Bluetooth 5.1, and supports Windows 10 (64-bit) with RGB lighting from Newegg.com. I’m also running it on Linux, which didn’t have any issues and handled it smoothly. Should I consider adding a repeater or extender, or is there another way to improve the connection? Thanks ahead of time.
Choose either wired setup or install a new router/access point and connect it to the new device. Ensure both devices use different channels. Adding an extender would produce the same outcome as connecting directly to the PC, since it merely re-broadcasts existing signals.
Spotted a potential backup option if other methods fail, even when the local Wi-Fi isn't optimal. This outdoor WiFi antenna model extends range up to half a mile for 2.4 GHz routers. It’s an unconventional fix, but it could offer a wider coverage area without drilling or wiring. I’m curious if connecting it directly to the card instead of the router would improve performance and simplify installation. Regarding a separate modem, I’ll need to contact my cable provider to see if it supports running multiple routers. I already know you can’t connect a router to another router, which would cause interference and reduce speed. EDIT: It turns out my current router is limited to 2.4 GHz, which likely explains why the previous setup performed so much better. The new card might not be enough, so I’m considering an upgrade right away.
Could've work actually, but the hazzle of using that would've the same as putting a outdoor AP tbh. Welp, it still have a wire to run... I'm no telecom expert here, but I thought that long antenna wire from the inside would causing more trouble than it's worth, perhaps. (cmiiw, I actually just assuming here). Clearly I never see someone do this so.. That makes me wondering either. You can set the new router on AP mode (or change the DHCP routing to relay, or else) and it'll good to go. Would be lotta simpler if you use AP instead tbh.
It wasn't a matter of the table yet. I used to handle similar tasks as part of my job, so I'm familiar with setting up wiring. In this situation it would be quite challenging because everything is poorly positioned and I had little control over it. The installation at home was similar when we moved in—had to arrange things as they were and never imagined it would cause a problem. I’m capable of doing this kind of work if needed, but my health issues make it difficult. Still, I’m confident I can manage it. I looked up the manufacturer’s site and found two options: the router or the Wi-Fi adapter. The newer model, BAS-2307 WiFi Dual Band, supports 5GHz and would be the better choice. Since it physically connects to the router’s antenna via its cable, it should work with the card—though it only has one cable connection instead of two. It runs entirely on internal power, just like the others, and isn’t upgraded with MU-MIMO. I’ll verify this once the new unit arrives and see how it performs.
The issue with antennas is that signal strength can drop more than it increases down the cable. For a building exterior, a PtP configuration would be better, though an outdoor Access Point could work. Sometimes a solid indoor Access Point is enough. In the end, you should connect it to the main router to avoid losses both inside and outside the house.
This situation involves a significant challenge. Running the necessary wiring from the streaming setup to the router demands considerable effort and cost, especially when trying to reach enough wire. If I were still in the same position before, I wouldn’t have to pay such a price for this connection. I’d need roughly 36-40 meters (120-130 feet) of wire, which would require drilling through an exterior brick wall at the router location. After that, I’d have to bury the cable along the house’s exterior, around the sides and back, extending it to the outside building. The long distance will cause noticeable signal loss, so I’d need a continuous wire—no connectors, extenders, or bridges along the way. Because of these issues, I’m leaning toward using Wi-Fi instead. I did order extender antennas, and honestly, the new router and extender are worth it. I still needed a fresh router, and the extender will also support devices like a Roku inside the house. While I’d prefer a wired setup, the current options are too difficult to achieve.
Obviously, wired connection is ideal. However, I wasn't sure about what you meant by PtP—by that you likely referred to a wireless bridge designed for outdoor use, since it handles outdoor interference better and both ends of the link are outside, minimizing signal loss.
That's something I'll need to look into. Been thinking about a way to shorten "The Distance" from the router to the extender required to get it where it needs to be and I'll need to pay a visit to the attic. There is an old sattelite dish still mounted on the home (Was left behind by the previous owners) and it's in a good place for the extender in relation to the outer building. If I could somehow run enough cable from the router to this spot that would do it for sure, at least in getting it as good as it would be. However I will look into a PtP setup anyway. EDIT: Just found a cable that might do it in a 150ft length suitable for outdoor use for a decent price, that may be enough to get it done. I'll have to measure things and already know the side of the home it has to run along is 30ft itself but there may be enough of it to go where it needs to anyway. Cancelled the order for the extender and if they don't well.... it's not that big of a big loss for me. If all the measuring checks out I'll be good to go except for the work involved.
You have options ranging from wired setups with some effort to more advanced methods. The cost-effective choice depends on your needs, but using an outdoor access point can help extend coverage. Regarding the additional AP question, it seems you're considering whether a directional device needs another unit for omnidirectional signal spread. Think about using a large AP to reach the outdoor area directly, as Linus did with his network upgrade.