wireless / router problem

JamesToney · 08 May 2011

I have a DVR in my room which is connected to the modem in my downstairs, it has an ethernet port on it which allows me to connect to my internet wired, it only has one port and I have multiple devices which I required a wired connection so I took out my old WRT54G router and connected it so I could hook up an ethernet cable to both my PC & my xbox 360

(DVR --> Ethernet cable --> WRT54G)
(WRT54G --> ethernet cable --> PC)
(WRT54G --> ethernet cable --> xbox 360)

now my problem.. ever since I did this all other wireless devices in my house seem to be getting some interference, my brother who's a room away has wireless internet which frequently disconnects completely, same with all my mobile devices (they don't do this when I'm far away from my room and they never did this before I added the WRT54G)

I have dd-wrt firmware installed, SSID broadcast is off

does anyone know what may be causing this or a possible fix?

Johnathan Lyman · 08 May 2011

You called it already. Interference. If they have just a couple if any bars, the signal is not physically strong enough to create feasible bandwidth from the router to the client (PC). The WRT54G's radio is not as powerful as most routers out today and given that it IS an older router to begin with, the radio may not be performing to standard anymore. The radio may be dying and not producing a stronger signal anymore.

You said you have wireless devices downstairs. Did you have a wireless router before you introduced the WRT54G into the mix? Did it replace that one?

mrdemon · 08 May 2011

try changing the Channel,

ie: 1-13.

Try this Download Retina WiFi Scanner 1.0.3.40 Free - Discover all active wireless devices and connections on a company network - Softpedia

Johnathan Lyman · 08 May 2011

mrdemon said:

try changing the Channel,

ie: 1-13.

Try this Download Retina WiFi Scanner 1.0.3.40 Free - Discover all active wireless devices and connections on a company network - Softpedia

The OP will want to stick with 1, 6, and 11, however. With the way the G spectrum is designed, each channel operates on a specific portion of the 2.4ghz band. HOWEVER, since each channel is 20mhz in width, channels 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13 overlap either each other or are overlapped by 1, 6, and 11. In order to eliminate as much interference as possible, because of the channel width, only 1, 6, and 11 should be recommended. Of those three, consider the most vacant at the client end. If you have a neighbor on one side of you that uses 6 but on the other side and that neighbor is closer to your client machines than the router, the clients will have a harder time competing for the airspace than the router. In this example channel 1 or 11 are recommended.

I say that because I've worked with wireless networks for a while now and interference from other APs can cause problems.

To recap: I strongly recommend ONLY 1, 6, and or 11. Make sure you choose a channel not currently highly populated by another AP as measured near your clients (PCs or consoles using wireless connectivity). I suggest anything over -70db is to be avoided. If you have an AP on a channel that has a signal strength of over -70db (closer to zero, stronger it is) at your client, I don't recommend you use that channel. If you have no choice, go with the lowest of the three.

If you have more questions, do not hesitate to ask!

Thanks!