wireless connectivity question

[kia027]

Hiya J-Kid

I am having a problem and need some of your expertise (and the expertise of others) to help me out here.

I have a wireless/ethernet router connected to the cable modem. 2 computers have internet access via wireless. 1 desktop & vonage mta are connected via ethernet cable.

For the past 3 days my wireless connectivity has been going off & on. When I viewed available wireless networks 2 were available, mine & a weird named one.

I went into my router admin and restricted wireless access to the MAC addresses of my wireless devices , saved the settings and then powered down the cable modem, router & all devices connected to my 'network'.

Yet it seems the wireless connectivity is 'bouncing' - going off & on again. BTW there is no connectivity issues with the devices connected via ethernet.

Do you have any ideas as to what may be causing this problem? I thought it was due to a neighbor across the street getting a wireless router and thought restricting wireless access only to my devices would work but it does not seem to be the case. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]



Thanks in advance

[kia027]

Re: wireless connectivity question

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[j-kid]

Re: wireless connectivity question

Well first thing, how far away is the wireless from the point where you are using the computer? Second, what is the signal strength at each of the other wireless access point?
Third, is your MAC address and WEP, encrypted and password protected (if not turn them on)?
Are you broadcasting your SSID (if so turn it off)?
Did you change you password from "Admin"? Many people don't and leave themself vulnerable to hijacking.
What brand/model router do you have?


If not anyone wardriving can detect your signal and log on to your network and even lock you out of your own network.

Remember, also the more individuals accessing your wireless signal, is the more your bandwidth/signal strength will decrease, and the further away you are for the router and the more obsticles (walls, floor, furniture, etc) that the signal have to penetrate, this will also impact your signal strenghts.

[kia027]

Re: wireless connectivity question

Well first thing, how far away is the wireless from the point where you are using the computer?
I am usually about one floor below the router in various rooms. It was working fine up until about a week ago. Presently I am about 3 inches away from the router (but connected via cable), so am tethered to one location.o/ I have observed the internal wireless connection messages telling me I have found and… lost a connection appearing as well. I have successfully had both ‘up’ b4 but defaulting to the wired connection whenever this has been the case.


Second, what is the signal strength at each of the other wireless access point?
Good question. With my old laptop I could tell with my netgear connection card but with internal one – haven’t found it yet. Give me one sec let me see if I can find it… Found it! 5 bars??

Third, is your MAC address and WEP, encrypted and password protected (if not turn them on)? how do I do this  [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70361-embarassed.gif[/img]

Are you broadcasting your SSID (if so turn it off)?  when I disable broadcasting, then I cant pick up the connection.. Linksys help from the router page is not that detailed—will go & see if I can find the step by step version on wireless security directly from linksys website
Did you change you password from "Admin"? Many people don't and leave themself vulnerable to hijacking. absolutely from day 1

What brand/model router do you have? Linksys BEFW11S4


If not anyone wardriving can detect your signal and log on to your network and even lock you out of your own network.  if anything accessed is restricted to the mac addresses of the 2 wireless connection devices I am using. I did change the channel and so far (the last 30 mins) the signal has not bounced. Perhaps it is a time for a block meeting to discuss who will be on what channel in dem yard? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Remember, also the more individuals accessing your wireless signal, is the more your bandwidth/signal strength will decrease, and the further away you are for the router and the more obsticles (walls, floor, furniture, etc) that the signal have to penetrate, this will also impact your signal strenghts. so true J-Kid. Thank so much for answering— I am started in the right direction.

[j-kid]

Re: wireless connectivity question

http://features.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/12/21/005224&mode=nocomment&tid=193&tid=100&tid=9

[777]

Re: wireless connectivity question

bwoy...dem ya people ya a chat way bove fe me head...

[dahjah]

Re: wireless connectivity question

Sevens yuh jus dash yuh ignorance all ova de place.
Guh pickee up [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

[kia027]

Re: wireless connectivity question

J-Kid
Thanks for sharing the link with the info. So far I have access limited to the MAC addresses within the home network.. Havent quite figured out to still connect w/o broadcast of ssid.

J-Kid