Apr 3rd, 2009 |
Having issues with the wireless at Web 2.0 Expo? Switch to the 802.11a mode (sorry, does not apply to Macs).
For WindowsXP or Windows Vista.
1) In Control Panel, select the System icon or the Device Manager icon (depending on your operating version).
2) In the Hardware tab under System Manager, Select Device Manager.
3) From the Device Manager screen, choose your Wireless Adapter under the “Network Adapters” drop down menu.
4) In the “Advanced” tab, under “Wireless Mode” choose the appropriate mode you want your Wireless Adapter to use to connect to the network. In this case, 802.11a only.
5) Reconnect to “Web2.0″ network
6) Blog/Tweet away
Permalink: http://blog.web2expo.com/2009/04/wireless_help/
In a high density wireless environment like this, setting your wireless adapter to either the A or N radio frequency solves this issue. The problem is not that the wireless network is overloaded, the issue is laptop B/G wireless radios run in the 2.4 ghz spectrum and are susceptible to interference. This same frequency is used for eveything from bluetooth devices, cordless phones, some microphones and even microwave ovens. Large numbers of laptops, phones and pda’s grouped together cause “noise” or RF interference in the 2.4 ghz spectrum which can and will block a users signal from getting to the access point antennas. This causes it to appear as though the “network” is down when in fact you have never reached the network at all. When people who are able move to A or N, the 2.4 ghz RF interference is signicantly reduced effectively clearing the airspace for those users (like macs and iphones) who only have B/G capability.
A and N run in the 5 ghz spectrum and do not have this issue. All of these are available on the Web 2.0 wireless network every year. Thank you for this post which cleary will help not only those at this conference but those at any large venue where dense wireless environments exist.