Optimizing Wireless Connectivity And Security; Observe Performance, Placement, And Range Guidelines - NETGEAR Wireless Router Setup Manual

Optimizing Wireless Connectivity and Security

This chapter describes how to configure the wireless features of your wireless router. In planning
your wireless network, you should consider the level of security required. You should also select
the physical placement of your firewall in order to maximize the network speed.
The full manual with detailed how to instructions is available on line at
http://kbserver.netgear.com/documentation/wgu624.asp
configuration utility of the wireless router.

Observe Performance, Placement, and Range Guidelines

The operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly based on the
physical placement of the wireless firewall. The latency, data throughput performance, and
notebook power consumption of wireless adapters also vary depending on your configuration
choices.
Note: Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance
degradation or inability to wirelessly connect to the router.
For best results, place your firewall:
• Near the center of the area in which your computers will operate.
• In an elevated location such as a high shelf where the wirelessly connected computers have
line-of-sight access (even if through walls).
• Away from sources of interference, such as computers, microwaves, and 2.4 GHz cordless
phones.
• Away from large metal surfaces.
• Put the antenna in a vertical position for best side-to-side coverage. Put the antenna in a
horizontal position for best up-and-down coverage.
The time it takes to establish a wireless connection can vary depending on both your security
settings and placement. WEP connections can take slightly longer to establish. Also, WEP
encryption can consume more battery power on a notebook computer.
Optimizing Wireless Connectivity and Security
and via the Documentation link in the
August 2004
Chapter 4
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