Modem and router ?

[GimpsGTP]

I have a Motorola SB6141 modem and Netgear N900 router along with Comcast 30mb package. I have a few questions to increase my wifi coverage.

1. The modem should be as close to the source(wall outlet) as possible correct?

2. How far or close should the router be to the modem?

3. Im in a 1400 sq ft condo with a router all the way at one end. Is it worth centering the router in the condo for more equal coverage?

4. I get 30mb/sec on my wired computer right next to the router but 5-9mb/sec on the xbox and ps3 only 30 feet away in the other room, how come? it makes it real hard to stream movies from the computer to tv via xbox or ps3?

5. Is there a way to test if im getting interference from surrounding condos? yes my network is secured.

Thanks

 

[johnb35]

If you are able to connect 2 routers together with a cable, thats what I would do. You can use the second router to extend your wireless.

 

[Geoff]

It really doesn't matter what cable outlet you use to connect your modem, as the main feed line from the street to your condo complex is run through several splitters depending on how many units are in each building. The cable length from the modem to router doesn't matter either, just as long as you don't go over the 100M cable length of CAT6.

Personally what I would do is find a cable outlet centrally located, and connect your modem and router there. You should have no problem covering your condo with just one access point, even if it's two floors. My parents have a large 2-story 4 bedroom house with the access point on the second floor far corner, and I get coverage in the opposite corner in the basement just fine.

As far as interference goes, your best bet will be to download a wireless analyzer for your computer or smartphone and look at what channels are most congested. Ideally you would choose either channels 1, 6, or 11 as those are non-overlapping channels. For instance, this is a program for Android that shows what access points are on what channels. In this case if I were to setup a new access point, I would choose channel 6 for it.

 

[GimpsGTP]

It really doesn't matter what cable outlet you use to connect your modem, as the main feed line from the street to your condo complex is run through several splitters depending on how many units are in each building. The cable length from the modem to router doesn't matter either, just as long as you don't go over the 100M cable length of CAT6.

Personally what I would do is find a cable outlet centrally located, and connect your modem and router there. You should have no problem covering your condo with just one access point, even if it's two floors. My parents have a large 2-story 4 bedroom house with the access point on the second floor far corner, and I get coverage in the opposite corner in the basement just fine.

As far as interference goes, your best bet will be to download a wireless analyzer for your computer or smartphone and look at what channels are most congested. Ideally you would choose either channels 1, 6, or 11 as those are non-overlapping channels. For instance, this is a program for Android that shows what access points are on what channels. In this case if I were to setup a new access point, I would choose channel 6 for it.

These may came across as noob questions but any outlet in the house has the ability to be cable or internet then correct?

Thanks for that analyzer suggestion it helped alot. I guess living in a condo complex there is alot of others using the channels as well. I have been playing with all the combos but almost all of them are pretty packed.

I have a dual band router and I analyzed all those channels on the 5ghz side and it seems no one in my area is using them but I am having a problem getting my xbox or ps3 to recognize them, any suggestions? the 5ghz is working as my smart phone and computers see them.

 

[Geoff]

These may came across as noob questions but any outlet in the house has the ability to be cable or internet then correct?

Thanks for that analyzer suggestion it helped alot. I guess living in a condo complex there is alot of others using the channels as well. I have been playing with all the combos but almost all of them are pretty packed.

I have a dual band router and I analyzed all those channels on the 5ghz side and it seems no one in my area is using them but I am having a problem getting my xbox or ps3 to recognize them, any suggestions? the 5ghz is working as my smart phone and computers see them.

Correct, any cable outlet will work.

The 2.4GHz is pretty packed, but I would pick either channel 1, 6, or 11 that seems to have the weaker signals. If they all have strong signals, look at one that has fewer access points.

5GHz is much clearer as fewer people use it, and there are more channels available. You will need to have dual-band wireless receivers which aren't as common though, do you know if the Xbox and PS3 support 5GHz wireless? You shouldn't have a problem running 2.4GHz though, even if it's crowded.

 

[GimpsGTP]

Correct, any cable outlet will work.

The 2.4GHz is pretty packed, but I would pick either channel 1, 6, or 11 that seems to have the weaker signals. If they all have strong signals, look at one that has fewer access points.

5GHz is much clearer as fewer people use it, and there are more channels available. You will need to have dual-band wireless receivers which aren't as common though, do you know if the Xbox and PS3 support 5GHz wireless? You shouldn't have a problem running 2.4GHz though, even if it's crowded.

Neither the Xbox or PS3 recognize the 5ghz channel so I'm assuming it does not work with it. Im using the 2.4 right now to stream from my computer to the PS3 and it still stutters at times even during slow times. I did the PS3 network test and its showing an average of 9-12 mb/sec. Is that good enough to stream HD movies?

 

[Geoff]

Neither the Xbox or PS3 recognize the 5ghz channel so I'm assuming it does not work with it. Im using the 2.4 right now to stream from my computer to the PS3 and it still stutters at times even during slow times. I did the PS3 network test and its showing an average of 9-12 mb/sec. Is that good enough to stream HD movies?

The bottleneck seems to be your internet connection, not the wireless itself as 802.11n typically runs around 70-150Mbps. 9-12Mbps is fine for gaming and streaming though, just as long as you aren't trying to stream on multiple machines or stream while downloading large files.