If you want to boost your speed then always choose to install a repeater. The repeater’s job is to receive the signal from the access point and then renew it and re-broadcast it and result in extending the range of your network. This range of network will take you somewhere between the Point where you are access point is been there and also your wireless client available on the network. Some of the repeaters like the Range Expander which are from the series of LinkSys, which do not even require to be directly connection to the network through the cable. But if the security is an issue for you then be careful about it as some of these can not be ignored because of the methods like MAC address filtering. Remember that some of the repeaters will only be able to repeat wireless signals which are coming from its own product , i.e.: if you are having a D-Link Wireless Router then you will have to get a D-Link repeater for it. Following are the image shown below for demonstrating the job of a repeater.

The Access Point is the first one to transmit the signal in this process. As the Access point travels further it decreases its speed and until it hits the repeater and gets boosted. When the newly transmitted signal is generated then this received by an in-range wireless client.

Changing the Antenna

While changing the antenna of your access point that can increase the signal range as well as the overall performance of it too. There is a typical access points which comes with a 2dB or 4dB and gain antenna but there only one which is available with 8, 14 and even 24dB. It also gain and is been measured in dBi which means how powerful the antenna is and how far it can provide a signal. Rotating antennas are more suitable for environments where in you can have a direct connection with the site from one access point to another and from access point to client; this signal travels in a straight line. The omni-Directional antennas can even distribute their signal in a circular 360 degrees motion over a horizontal pane, which is also ideal for the square areas also.

Install Windows XP SP2
If the user is running Windows XP on his wireless user then I’m sure that most of the user will start installing the Service Pack 2 which is a good idea. For downloading details you can visit the Microsoft Website. The Windows XP Service Pack 2 comes along with the enhanced as well as the wireless support which includes new network setup wizard, built in for support of WPA , an updated version of Wireless Network Connection dialog box and amongst others, and also a nifty repair feature with it.

For utilization purpose the repair feature is all you have to right click on the connection and then select the Repair option or click at the button on the support tab of the status dialog box. This will stop and will make the user for re-enabling the connection on wireless network adapters, then clear the NetBT and flush out the DNS cache from it. I often see that if the connection signal goes off for a longer period of time then by pressing the Repair button will boost your connection and good or very good connection will be available and also depending upon the location.

Network Settings

DHCP Addresses

DHCP is design error which may also cause a problem while been connecting to a wireless network. Some of the new access points introduced in the market are available with their own DHCP server built in it and which are usually assigns so their addresses in the 192.168.0.x range. If your energetic network uses a different range then you will most likely to find that the wireless network clients are been able to obtain the IP address and can also chime the access point but communication with other clients will not work. The access point for configuration line should allow the user to set which address scope is been used. Set this in order to be the same as that of your other clients. You can also disable the DHCP server from the access point and can allow the clients to obtain the address from the normal DHCP Server on your network.

Encryption Keys

You can double check and can also re-enter the WEP/WPA encryption keys which are available in it. Wireless Encryption will also vary it depends upon the type of network to which are you connecting to. In Windows XP, the Association tab from your wireless network properties dialog box, will verify that your network key has been entered correctly or not and is valid for the network which you are trying to make an attempt for connecting it.

MAC Address Filters

This is a form of security which restrict the user from accessing to the wireless network. As we had explained in, the MAC Address Filters are to be listed of MAC addresses which belong to the clients that are been allowed for making access to the network. This address will only permit the clients who are been specifically with their MAC Addresses then only can communicate with their network. Having said this, there may be reason to any of your problem. You can verify it and the difficult user of a MAC is in the address list. If the network card has to be changed or have to create a new device which is being purchased recently from the market, be sure of it to add it to the list.

Conclusion

After reading all the above articles we are more familiar with the wireless network connections problem as well as we can now fix them properly. I do hope that you will now be able to follow the steps when ever a wireless problem occurs in it and then take the necessary action in solving such issues. Now look out for Part 3 of my Introduction to the wireless networking series in which I will take a closer look at security only and will, give you some more wireless network tips and tricks and will also help in updating you on the latest wireless networking news.