Computer Networking Tricks and Tips

1. Change channel variety

Wireless routers function on a set channel. Since maximum routers deliver with a pre-decided on channel, the wi-fi sign might also additionally intervene with different routers within side the location which can be running at the identical channel.

Changing the wi-fi channel from the manufacturing unit default is a great place to begin in case your wi-fi sign energy is poor.

2. Give the router area to respire

The largest gain of a wi-fi router is that it is able to penetrate doorways and walls – however that does not suggest you could simply stuff it subsequent to a wall or cordless telephone, or use it as a stand to your stack of DVDs. Treat it with respect.

Try to maintain it in a crucial location, far far from different wi-fi devices; ensure it is now no longer in direct sunlight; elevate it off the carpet; and make sure its vents and air holes are not covered.

3. Improve reception

Try as you may, you will locate it is now and again now no longer viable to place the router in a terrific spot. One manner across the hassle is to shop for a router with more than one antennas and factor them in a whole lot of guidelines masking your home.

Alternatively, if you've got already were given a router, test whether or not it is viable to improve its antennas to some thing stronger. However, do not get disheartened in case your router would not have any antennas. A wi-fi repeater well matched together along with your router is a really perfect solution.

4. Use WEP

Running an unsecured community will earn you brownie factors from neighbors and hackers with cars, however this is approximately it. Wireless routers assist a whole lot of encryption methods, inclusive of WPA and WEP, however those are not enabled through default.

WPA2 is the maximum stable technique on the moment, however earlier than selecting an encryption technique, ensure your community playing cards and adapters assist it as well. Bear in thoughts that older machines – and video games consoles inclusive of the Nintendo DS – do not assist WPA.

5. Restrict get admission to to particular PCs

If you clearly do not need to apply encryption, you could pressure your router to best hook up with particular PCs. Your router identifies every laptop through the specific MAC deal with of its community gear. Feed it a listing of MAC addresses to hook up with and also you shop your self the problem of getting into a password every time you log in.

The drawback is that you will ought to upload the MAC deal with of any new laptop earlier than it is able to get in your community – which might be a greater traumatic manner of having matters done.

6. Disable SSID broadcast

All wi-fi routers have a Service Set Identifier (SSID) that identifies them to community computers. Routers from the identical producer commonly deliver with the identical SSID; 'Netter' or 'Cisco', for example.

You ought to first alternate the SSID to some thing specific to set your router aside from the ones of your neighbors'. Then, as soon as all of your hardware has been set up, it is higher to show off broadcasting the SSID altogether. This guarantees your router isn't always displayed within side the listing of to be had networks, and may not be a goal for capacity hackers.

7. Keep the firmware up to date

Router producers maintain operating on firmware, even after hardware has been shipped. In addition to tweaks within side the person interface, new variations may make higher use of the diverse additives within side the router, or upload greater features.

Just like with an running system, it is a terrific concept to improve the firmware of the router regularly – test the producer's internet site for a brand new version. In the best vintage days, there has been the danger of a botched firmware improve bricking your router, however it is loads more secure today.