If I wanted to basically boost a wireless signal would I add an access point? My wireless signal at work is too weak at the other end of the building. Do I just add an access point to remedy this?
The only issue with this is that they will both communicate in the same area, which could cause interference and wireless disruption if on the same channel. If you can access the other AP and change the settings and channel settings, put them on a different channel.
Are you losing connection to your wireless now? Are you at LOW?
If it is at LOW, you may even be able to get away with using the same SSID and security settings, matching the existing wireless. This will allow your computer to move freely around the office without losing connection.
If your office uses a router w/wireless, I suggest using the same manufacturer. If it is a stand alone AP, use the exact same one.
On a side note, if you are able to access the wireless everywhere, but just have a LOW signal, do you notice performance issues or a total loss of signal where you are trying to access it? If you keep connected, I recommend not messing with it. Try moving the AP that exists closer to the other side of the building, maximizing its range throughout the office
An access point is a perfect fix if there is a wired network jack somewhere that you can plug it into. If there is not, then you will need a signal booster, but with one of those expect to lose almost 50% of speed
[quote=“tpgsr,post:3,topic:38980"”]
An access point is a perfect fix if there is a wired network jack somewhere that you can plug it into. If there is not, then you will need a signal booster, but with one of those expect to lose almost 50% of speed
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If the original AP has the ability to use repeaters, he could always get a second AP and use it as a repeater, requiring power only. It would just require configuration.
The current setup just has a Zyxel wireless router. The issue I’m having is the signal drops off if I go into a different building.There are three buildings connected. I also, do not have a rj45 jack to plug into either.
So, there is no signal in any other building?
Does your network consist of any type of Cisco switches, that may control traffic over every ethernet jack in the office (MAC Filtering per switch)? If so, ignore my suggestion next, as something else will need to be done…
If not, and your network closet consists of just basic 24-port switches, you can get away with putting a 4-port switch by a computer furthest away from the existing Wireless. Plug the switch into the wall jack where the computer was and then plug the computer and a new AP into the switch. Configure the new AP with the same SSID and security settings as the Zyxel wireless AP.
Make sense?
That does. The problem I am having is that I don’t really have a jack to plug into. I thought the AP would function essentially like a repeater.
It can only act as a repeater if it is placed in the range of the current AP. The current AP also needs to have the ability to link itself with a repeater. Essentially, you’d configure both to talk back and forth by using their MAC addresses inside of the web GUI for both boxes.
If you have computers in the other buildings on the same network, I suggest using the 4-port switch + AP route. They have got to be connected to the wall Direct wireless through an AP is a lot more reliable/efficient than using multiple repeaters. They are prone to double the interference, due to the boxes having to talk with each other, as well as connecting to your wireless device.
What model is the Zyxel? If you cannot find the settings for it, I can see if it has the ability to use a repeater, otherwise you may have to disable its wireless and buy two or more additional APs to create the wireless network you prefer
[quote=“Clean Baldy,post:4,topic:38980"”]
If the original AP has the ability to use repeaters, he could always get a second AP and use it as a repeater, requiring power only. It would just require configuration.
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I actually talked to an engineer at linksys about this solution and he highly recommended against it. I have to network my warehouse using wireless and it is about 80,000 sqft. That job will require numerous access points, and when i inquired about just repeating the signal between them, he said it would not only lose efficiency but it could cause major conflicts given any interference. That means i have to spend a day up in the rafters witing up AP’s for the bastards back there!
sob double post!
[quote=“tpgsr,post:9,topic:38980"”]
I actually talked to an engineer at linksys about this solution and he highly recommended against it. I have to network my warehouse using wireless and it is about 80,000 sqft. That job will require numerous access points, and when i inquired about just repeating the signal between them, he said it would not only lose efficiency but it could cause major conflicts given any interference. That means i have to spend a day up in the rafters witing up AP’s for the bastards back there!
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I agree. I hate using repeaters. See the last post I made about efficiency, interference and issues with them. 
I am against repeaters. I was giving him options that are available.
I stand by my switch + AP configured identically to the current SSID. If a new cable needs to be run to a new building, then that is the necessary action.
If a cheap/easy fix is needed, a repeater will work… but, it is not recommended for the reasons above.
oh… i suck at reading i see now. Baldy, I may have to give you a call or send you a message when i actually wire in this network, I have a question about using the same SSID and all of the same parameters with the AP’s so that there is not constant ip switching as they are driving around the back.
[quote=“tpgsr,post:12,topic:38980"”]
oh… i suck ate reading i see know. Baldy, I may have to give you a call or send you a message when i actually wire in this network, I have a question about using the same SSID and all of the same parameters with the AP’s so that there is not constant ip switching as they are driving around the back.
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Post HiJack in Progress!!!
What kind of APs are you planning on using? The key is to place them so the signals are not overlapping too much. Buying an AP with the ability to shrink the range of the signal is always great in stopping interference. You want about a 10-15% overlap. This will stop the constant switching, and you will have constant connection as you move around the warehouse.
I suggest you go with a Cisco WLC (Wireless Lan Controller) with Cisco Aironet APs. What the WLC does is manipulate the Aironets by itself to adjust the signals, and create the most efficient network without overlap and without data loss. You connect all of the APs into the WLC, and it configures them all for you, and adjusts as necessary
^ My entire network room is Cisco except for the patch panels, however they have given me a very small budget to get this and one other project completed, and after i buy a new laptop, and a NAS, I am left with only a few hundred dollars. I will have to do all of the AP management myself, and in the end it will cost them more by having to pay me to spend the time on it, but they dont care.
Most likely I will be using a residential AP. They ahve put this constraint on me because when we switch computer systems in two years, My office will be one of the pioneers of a wireless fulfillment within our company. That means they will be tearing out all of our junk and replacing it with the best of the best to handle all of the computers and scanners and all of that jazz.
And these guys aren’t just moving about the warehouse, some of them are zipping along on the fork trucks. My job overall is just to increase efficiency and to take our error margin to a flat 0.
[quote=“tpgsr,post:14,topic:38980"”]
^ My entire network room is Cisco except for the patch panels, however they have given me a very small budget to get this and one other project completed, and after i buy a new laptop, and a NAS, I am left with only a few hundred dollars. I will have to do all of the AP management myself, and in the end it will cost them more by having to pay me to spend the time on it, but they dont care.
Most likely I will be using a residential AP. They ahve put this constraint on me because when we switch computer systems in two years, My office will be one of the pioneers of a wireless fulfillment within our company. That means they will be tearing out all of our junk and replacing it with the best of the best to handle all of the computers and scanners and all of that jazz.
And these guys aren’t just moving about the warehouse, some of them are zipping along on the fork trucks. My job overall is just to increase efficiency and to take our error margin to a flat 0.
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Did I just hear “error margin of 0” and “residential equipment” used in the same sentence project?
[quote=“tpgsr,post:14,topic:38980"”]
^ My entire network room is Cisco except for the patch panels, however they have given me a very small budget to get this and one other project completed, and after i buy a new laptop, and a NAS, I am left with only a few hundred dollars. I will have to do all of the AP management myself, and in the end it will cost them more by having to pay me to spend the time on it, but they dont care.
Most likely I will be using a residential AP. They ahve put this constraint on me because when we switch computer systems in two years, My office will be one of the pioneers of a wireless fulfillment within our company. That means they will be tearing out all of our junk and replacing it with the best of the best to handle all of the computers and scanners and all of that jazz.
And these guys aren’t just moving about the warehouse, some of them are zipping along on the fork trucks. My job overall is just to increase efficiency and to take our error margin to a flat 0.
[/quote]
Are you going to try to use residential APs for people moving around a warehouse? as far as I know none of those hand off between APs…
The handheld or whatever will stay connected to one AP till it gets far enough away and drops connection then must reconnect.
yeah yeah yeah… by error margin i am referring to our pick and pack systems. And residential equipment is obviously on the network end. The trick is to take a handful of pennies and make them into gold through operational efficiency. It would be nice if they at least gave me silver to start with, but it is what it is. Once we show a 100% fill rate on stock items, and that translates to a 100% shipping accuracy then they will be able to give me some $$ to fund the project for real. This is sort of like a beta run for us to bea able to show positive ROI.
[quote=“FormulaLS1,post:16,topic:38980"”]
Are you going to try to use residential APs for people moving around a warehouse? as far as I know none of those hand off between APs…
The handheld or whatever will stay connected to one AP till it gets far enough away and drops connection then must reconnect.
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Right that is what i had always believed. However some engineer over at linksys begs to differ with me and has told me to test out X to see how well it works.
I know none of the reflashes handle it either…
I can also suggest not using to many AP’s
I would also look into what other devices the warehouse has and make sure they won’t cause interference issues…this really fucks thing up if you relay at all.
I am not going to relay a signal at all. Each AP will, unfortunately for me, have a wire run out to it. There are no other wireless signals or devices in the warehouse. We are not just yet technologically advanced, or even on the map really. the company as a whole is spending a few $ in other locations to launch pilot programs, and i happen to be doing my own here.
I will make a thread once i get this going, and you can tell me if i am doing stupid things or actually doing it semi properly.