OT: WiFi hardware question

[Eric Shubert]

On 10/25/2010 11:22 PM, Steven wrote:
> Okay, this one seems like a no-brainer question to me but I haven't
> dealt with one before. A wireless access point like this one:
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833180035 should
> get better reception with that antenna than one of those little stubby
> USB adapters like this:
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127272
>
> My sister's computer is hooking into our wireless using a USB wireless
> adapter about the size of that second link (although it's too old to
> still show up on Newegg, I'm just pointing to something similar in
> size), and it's never had great reception, but lately it's been very
> flaky. Looking over things I realized those access points start in the
> same price range as the USB adapters while having those nice antennas
> that are longer than the USB sticks are even including the USB plug.
>
> That said, I've never actually used an access point, it's always either
> been a built in laptop adapter, a PCMCIA adapter (which got a lousy
> signal going through two fewer walls than are between the wireless
> router and my sister's computer), or one of those USB wireless adapter
> sticks. If I'm catching how it works correctly her computer should
> simply see it as a plain old connection over the build in Ethernet port,
> correct?

The recent flakiness of the connection might be due to RF interference.
Before you spend any money upgrading equipment, I would try adjusting 
the channel your access point / router is using. You can use
# iwlist scan
to see which channels other units in your area are using. Pick something 
away from those channels.

If you're trying to improve over your sister's "never great reception", 
go ahead and shop for some better hardware. Is your sister's current 
adapter wireless -b or -g?

-- 
-Eric 'shubes'