WiFi isues with PC & iPad

dmx07 · 21 Apr 2012 at 14:39

Hi all,

We recently got an iPad which, when connected to WiFi is great. I think what must be happening is that there is some kind of conflict between the PC & the iPad as they are both dropping connection regularly now. The pc is fine if I disconnect the iPad.

Does anyone know a simple solution so they both use different channels or something? I've got a Sky router.

Skidilliplop · 21 Apr 2012 at 16:21

They need to co-exist on the same channel, that's how wifi works.

If they break when both are connected but fine on their own, that's the most common symptom of an IP address conflict.

ots3go · 21 Apr 2012 at 19:35

As above really.

Are you configuring both devices with a static IP address or allowing DHCP to do the work?

If DHCP, check both devices to see what IP address they've been handed.

dmx07 · 23 Apr 2012 at 08:55

Thanks guys, I've changed the IP's to static ones and will see how I get on.

Might look out for something to boost the signal also although I'm not sure what to look for!

Skidilliplop · 23 Apr 2012 at 10:17

dmx07 said:
Thanks guys, I've changed the IP's to static ones and will see how I get on.

Might look out for something to boost the signal also although I'm not sure what to look for!

Second access point is the best way to do this.

Don't fall into the urban myth that custom firmware and fancy antennae will speed up your wireless. Communication is bi-directional, you can beef the router up all you want but your WLAN card still has to send a signal back to it. It's usually that bit that's the weak link.

You can boost sensitivity with high gain antennae (ON BOTH ENDS!) but no boost will ever compare to just moving the radios a few metres closer together. Either by positioning the router more centrally, or adding an access point.

There are other advantages too, wireless in most cases is a half duplex, broadcast media making the whole wireless network a single collision domain. A second AP wired in creates a second physical network on a different channel and hence separate collision domain, meaning a device can talk to the router AND another can talk to the AP simultaniously. This effectively doubles the total wireless bandwidth available

Very useful if you do network backups or streaming over wireless.

dmx07 · 23 Apr 2012 at 10:54

By second access point, do you mean using a second router, attached to the primary one?

ots3go · 23 Apr 2012 at 10:57

dmx07 said:
By second access point, do you mean using a second router, attached to the primary one?

Yes, it can be done that way.

As long as the second access point (router in this case) has it's DHCP service switched off and is given a static IP address inside your subnet.

edscdk · 23 Apr 2012 at 10:57

I assume the PC is wireless N?

dmx07 · 23 Apr 2012 at 11:12

edscdk said:
I assume the PC is wireless N?

Not sure actually, the PC uses an edimax wireless card so will need to check.

My current router is a G model from Sky. Does an N band router mean a stronger signal? Sky said they would charge me for any upgrade, although only £35 (to the latest N version).

edscdk · 23 Apr 2012 at 11:14

dmx07 said:
Not sure actually, the PC uses an edimax wireless card so will need to check.

My current router is a G model from Sky. Does an N band router mean a stronger signal? Sky said they would charge me for any upgrade, although only £35 (to the latest N version).

it will only help if the PC is wireless N as well...

Skidilliplop · 24 Apr 2012 at 11:00

dmx07 said:
Not sure actually, the PC uses an edimax wireless card so will need to check.

My current router is a G model from Sky. Does an N band router mean a stronger signal? Sky said they would charge me for any upgrade, although only £35 (to the latest N version).

Signal strength with N isn't usually noticeably stronger. It's still limited to the same transmit power as G. However the bandwidth is greater so if with G you get 36mbit on 70dBm on N you'll get say 90mbit on the same 70dBm signal.
Because bandwidth on Wifi decreases with signal strength, the more you have to start with the better. G will count down from 54 - 48,36,24,18,12,11,9,6 .... N will go 300, 270,240,180,150,130...etc

ots3go · 24 Apr 2012 at 11:07

Skidilliplop said:
Signal strength with N isn't usually noticeably stronger. It's still limited to the same transmit power as G. However the bandwidth is greater so if with G you get 36mbit on 70dBm on N you'll get say 90mbit on the same 70dBm signal.
Because bandwidth on Wifi decreases with signal strength, the more you have to start with the better. G will count down from 54 - 48,36,24,18,12,11,9,6 .... N will go 300, 270,240,180,150,130...etc

To add on to this a little.

N can transmit at either 5ghz or 2.4ghz. 5ghz suffers more from passing through objects.