What are the Wireless Bandwidth Limits?

Wireless bandwidth refers to the speed of data transfer between electronic devices capable of wireless communication, using radio frequency signals. Wireless bandwidth is typically measured in thousands of bits (kilobits) or millions of bits (megabits) per second (Mbps), but many factors can limit or reduce bandwidth so that wireless connections become slower and less reliable than users can expect.

Wireless Technology

Wireless bandwidth is limited to the maximum bandwidth specified for a particular wireless technology. Devices compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards – colloquially known as “Wi-Fi” devices – offer theoretical maximum bandwidths of up to 11 Mbps (for 802.11b or wireless devices – B) at 450 Mbps (for 802.11n or wireless -N devices). Bluetooth technology, on the other hand, offers a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 2.1 Mbps (for Bluetooth 2.0 devices).

Distance

The strength of wireless signals decreases with distance, so wireless technologies also specify a theoretical maximum range outside which devices may suffer from reduced bandwidth or receive no wireless signal at all. Wireless N devices have a theoretical maximum range of 650 feet or more, while Bluetooth 2.0 devices have a theoretical maximum range of about 300 feet, but a device is known as a wireless repeater, placed halfway between devices wireless, can extend these ranges to the maximum.

Obstructions

Wireless network signals have relatively high frequencies and short wavelengths, which means that they are attenuated, or weakened, by obstacles such as walls, ceilings, and metal objects. The weakening of the signal can limit the bandwidth, which reduces the speed of connection to an exploration of what makes it difficult for these wireless devices to establish a connection in the first place. Large, substantial obstacles near wireless devices cause the most disturbances of wireless signals.

Radio interference

Other factors, including radio interference from common household appliances, such as cordless telephones, microwave ovens, and remote controlled toys or terrain, vegetation and even weather conditions, such as airborne hypertension, rain and wind, can limit the bandwidth. Some wireless devices, known as dual-band devices, can operate at 2.4 GHz and the less crowded 5 GHz frequency band of the radio spectrum, in order to switch to the higher frequency, can reduce interference and its effects on radio frequency. Bandwidth. Otherwise, you can reduce radio interference by choosing appliances that operate in a different frequency band, such as the 900 MHz band, from your wireless network devices.

5 ways to improve Force Wireless

Wireless network cards and access points are capable of reaching transfer rates of several megabits per second – but only when the signal strength between the computer and the access point is strong. If the signal strength is low, the connection speed drops sharply resulting in poor web browsing, downloading and running of online games. You can increase the speed and reliability simply following the steps below.

Computer Location and Map

The fastest way to improve wireless signal strength is to move the computer closer to the wireless router. If your router does not have the antenna power just connect outdoors, for example, use the computer indoors for better performance. If you do not have the router that connects to your computer, look at the signal counter in the lower right corner of the screen to determine where the signal strength is better.

Router Location

The location of your wireless router may not be ideal for the location where you most often use your computer. Generally, a router works best when placed in a central location in the house. However, if you only use your computer in a particular room, consider placing your router in the same room for optimal performance.

Eliminate Interference

It is usually best to place a router on a table or desk away from the wall and large metal parts. Place devices such as cordless phones in other areas. If you live in an apartment or condominium building where many others may also own wireless routers, use your router’s configuration utility to change the Wi-Fi channel free. This changes the frequency spectrum that the router broadcasts on. Since many people cannot change the default settings of their routers, changing channels can significantly reduce interference.

Wireless Extender

Install a wireless extension or repeater if you live in a big house. A router may not be able to reach all rooms in a large house without assistance. When you pass an extension within your router’s signal range, it effectively catches transmissions from the router and forwards them back to your computer. This can help you cover all the rooms in your house.

Replace Antenna

Many routers have external antennas that you can unscrew and replace. The antenna provided with your router broadcasts in all directions simultaneously. However, a directional antenna may be a better choice if you tend to use your computer in the same place. Install a directional antenna and point it toward the room where you normally use your computer. In some cases, you can enhance the strength of the wireless signal by folding the aluminum foil in the form of a dish and placing it on the antenna of your router.

New Wireless Adapter

You do not have direct access to the router you are connecting to because it is owned by someone else, try to determine the manufacturer of the router and buy a wireless card made by the same company. Some manufacturers use proprietary enhancements to stabilize or enhance the signal strength between their own hardware.

802.11 Security Protocols

802.11 is a set of standards that govern IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) wireless networks. Wireless network security protocols have grown significantly since the release of the original 802.11 standards in 1997, with new encryption and authentication algorithms such as WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). Many consumer wireless routers are now equipped with advanced security features. The original wireless protocol specification, 802.11 Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Protocol

Contained a specification for the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) algorithm to encrypt and authenticate data on the air. The researchers found that the RC4 encryption algorithm, a stream cipher used in WEP, is precarious and vulnerable to a number of different attacks.

In 2010, many tools are available for free to “crack” WEP encryption and gain access to the network. The use of WEP is no longer recommended in any wireless configuration.

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

In 2003, wireless developers and cryptographers came together to deal with more and more security issues in WEP. As a result, the Protected Access (WPA) Wi-Fi security protocol has become the industry standard for securing networks. Using a pre-shared encryption key (PSK) or digital certificates, the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol WPA algorithm (TKIP) securely encrypts data and provides authentication for 802.11 networks. TKIP was designed to be a transition between old WEP hardware and new encryption models (slower and safer), according to Jesse Walker of Rutgers University.

WPA2 and 802.11i Security Protocols

The current standard, 802.11i from 2004 enhanced the old WPA algorithm (TKIP) to use a better encryption algorithm: Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). The AES algorithm is approved for top-secret data encryption in the US government. 802.11i also specifies the most advanced key distribution techniques, which result in better session security to avoid eavesdropping. A pre-shared key (PSK) or digital certificates always provide authentication for the wireless router.

Other Wireless Security Methods

Other security measures exist to authenticate users and restrict access to an 802.11 wireless network. Some wireless routers may authenticate computers based off of smart cards or digital certificates. Another popular method of user authentication is based on a unique Media Access address code (MAC) of a network adapter, although this can be spoofed easily. Other security techniques include disabling broadcast IDs on the router and limiting the number of users on a particular wireless network.