How To Improve Wi-Fi in Your Home Networking System
You Might Need to Add a Few Wires
You might be thinking, why do we need wires in a wireless world? It seems like every new device, even appliances – are connecting to the internet. It’s a given for your entertainment, like smart TVs, AV receivers, smart speakers, and more. And while many of those devices come with an option for a wired network connection, everyone loves the convenience of Wi-Fi, even for devices that don’t move anywhere.
So why does anyone need a wired connection in their Muskoka, ON home? We’ll explain how a few wired devices could significantly enhance performance in your home networking system.
SEE ALSO: Your Smart Home and Security System Need a Reliable Wi-Fi Connection
Spreading Strong Wireless Signals Everywhere
Most homes have some spots where the Wi-Fi signal is weak or nonexistent. The problem may be the distance to your router, your home's construction, or interference from a neighbor's network. One frequently used solution is a wireless repeater, a device you can plug into a room with a low signal to amplify the signal back to your router. Mesh networks are another solution, where multiple mesh access points connect with each other throughout your home, giving more coverage than the lone router in one part of the house.
The Problem with Wireless Only Extenders
While these wireless extenders or mesh networks sound like an easy solution, sometimes they fail to improve performance. Wireless extenders can actually cause increased congestion for the router and poor performance. In mesh networks, the channel back to your router is called a backhaul channel. While the theoretical speeds for these can be very high to improve performance, they often are affected by the same issues that affect your wireless performance – too many walls in between them in the router, construction materials, and placement.
Add a Few Wires
Your network, of course, is not entirely wireless. A cable or wireless connection brings the internet into your home. And adding a few wired connections in your home can improve performance markedly. The not-so-secret solution is wired, enterprise-grade wireless access points (WAP). Instead of wireless extenders, these access points use a wired, fast ethernet connection back to your router that doesn't add to your wireless congestion. With the proper setup, these extenders can even draw their electrical power from the ethernet cable itself (PoE, or power over ethernet). This allows excellent flexibility in placing the WAPs in the ideal locations for connectivity.
Want another place where wired WAPs are an excellent solution – outdoors! Outdoor-specific WAPs can blanket your spaces with a strong wireless signal you can use for entertainment, outdoor TV, working on your laptop, or any other connected device.
Have a need for greater speed in your wireless home network? Connect E3 is your local networking expert with commercial-grade solutions for your home. Contact us here to learn more; We look forward to working with you!
