On Saturday 31 December 2005 12:09 pm, Simon Roberts wrote:
Sounds like a physical environment problem more than anything to do with software. Bring the machines close together for a while and see if that makes it work more reliably.
Generally, wireless doesn't go through concrete, or metal reinforced, walls all that well, it's pretty much line of sight and a deliberately fairly weak--read short-range unless you tamper with it or the antennae--signal. It won't like a lot of wood/plasterboard walls either.
Also check for interference from other wireless access points. Linksys defaults to channel 6 and is a very popular brand. If a neighbor has a default Linksys setup it will be interfering with yours. Change to another channel at the access point. Recommended channel gaps are 5, ie if the default is 6 try 1 or 11. Channels 5 or 7 won't be as effective as channels 3 or 9, etc. Also the radio frequency range of WiFi is shared with microwave ovens, baby monitors, 2.4GHz handheld phones, etc. You may have environmental issues that are messing with your WiFi. Don't forget to check firmware versions of the access point and the card. Make sure you have them at the most current levels unless you find some information online that says an older version is better at the moment.
I was hoping the thread would return to its original meaning as I'm looking for a "card that works well with Linux, is robust and reliable in installation, and for which the drivers are particularly well tested" (read "bombproof" too ;) In a recent thread, someone suggested the DLink DWL-650+ if memory serves, but that was only a single recommendation.
The better chipsets have been listed recently here, I believe in this thread. Best way to purchase a wireless card for Linux these days: know your chipset!
Simon
Stan