Your home or office Wi-Fi requires a few things, such as the router and the device that connects to it. You will need to connect a wireless modem to a wireless router to get your wireless connection. The modem’s function is to offer internet access, while the router’s purpose is to broadcast the Internet, enabling devices to link to each other. Any Wi-Fi device in your home or office can pick up these signals and connect to the Internet.
What Does Your Wi-Fi Require to Perform Better?
The answer to this question isn’t simple. If you are using public Wi-Fi, the requirements will be different than if you are using private or home Wi-Fi. Below are the things to keep in mind when considering the requirements for your Wi-Fi:
Public Wi-Fi – A public Wi-Fi network is available for anyone without a password. These networks are typically found in coffee shops, libraries, and other public places. The requirements for a public Wi-Fi network are not as stringent as those for a private or home network.
Home Wi-Fi: If you’re like most people, you probably take your home Wi-Fi for granted. After all, it’s just there and works most of the time. But your home Wi-Fi is a complex system that requires several things to function properly.
For starters, your Wi-Fi router needs a good connection to your modem. If your modem is weak or doesn’t have a strong signal, your router won’t be able to deliver a strong signal to your devices. In addition, your router needs to be in a good location. Its signal will be weak if buried in a closet or behind a bookshelf.
A List of Requirements for Your Wi-Fi
1. A Router
A router is a networking device capable of forwarding data packets among networks. The core function of the router is to direct traffic on the Internet. A data packet is typically composed of a header and a payload.
The header has information about the source and destination of the message, as well as other control information, while the payload is the data being transmitted.
When using your home Wi-Fi for your mobile devices, the signal often isn’t strong enough to reach everywhere in your house.
Finding yourself in an area with no reception when you need it most can be frustrating. Nevertheless, you improve your signal and reduce these frustrations by trying a few tricks. If you have a TV or large screen in your living room or bedroom that is showing signals from a wireless video streaming service like Netflix or Hulu, then this could be interfering with the signals of your home Wi-Fi network. Try changing channels on both ends to see if this helps.
2. Wireless Frequency Bands
For your devices to connect to the Internet, they need to use the same wireless frequency bands. The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies are the most common, but there are other options like the 60 GHz band. Each frequency has its benefits and drawbacks, so it’s essential to choose the right one for your needs.
Here’s a quick rundown of each option:
2.4GHz – This is the original frequency used by Wi-Fi and works well for mid-range distances (about 30 feet). It can be overloaded by too many signals nearby, which causes lag time or connection issues.
5GHz – This frequency provides faster speeds than 2.4GHz and is better at handling higher bandwidth demands from multiple connections simultaneously. It works best when you have shorter distances between router and device (about 10 feet).
60GHz – Designed for short distances (less than 6 feet), this option was initially made for in-room streaming applications such as VR gaming or 4K video streaming over Wi-Fi networks.
3. The Password
You have to choose a strong password to keep your Wi-Fi network secure. A strong password is at least eight characters long and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
You can choose to use a password manager to generate and store passwords for all of your online accounts. Note that if you use the same password everywhere, someone who manages to break into one account will have access to everything.
If you don’t want to remember any more passwords than necessary, it’s time to invest in a password manager. There are several free options available for both PC and mobile devices. Just remember that security is only as good as its weakest link; if your computer or phone gets hacked, there’s nothing stopping attackers from getting into your other accounts.
4. Security Protocol
A suitable security protocol is one of the essential things your Wi-Fi router needs. This will ensure that your data is safe from prying eyes and that only authorized devices can access your network. The most common security protocols are WEP, WPA, and WPA2.
WEP is the least secure of the three and the oldest protocol. WPA is a bit more secure but can be cracked with enough time and effort. WPA2 is the most secure protocol and should be used if possible.
Suppose you are using an older router; you may need to upgrade it to use a newer security protocol. Many routers now come with WPA2 pre-installed, so this should not be a problem.
5. Network Stability
A strong and stable network is vital for any business. However, if you are using Wi-Fi, you need to keep a few extra things in mind;
- Ensure that your router is configured correctly.
- Keep an eye on your signal strength and ensure it is strong enough to reach all parts of your office or home.
- Be aware of potential interference from other devices or appliances.
- Use Quality of Service (QoS) features to prioritize traffic on your network.
- Consider using a mesh network to extend the reach of your Wi-Fi signal.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data and protect your privacy.
6. A Range Extender
A range extender is a device that helps extend the reach of your Wi-Fi signal. If you have a large home or office, or if you live in an area with a lot of interference, a range extender can help improve the performance of your Wi-Fi network. Below are some facts you must know about range extenders:
- Range extenders are also known as repeaters.
- They work by receiving the signal from your router and then amplifying it.
- Range extenders can extend the range of any Wi-Fi network, including 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac networks.
- It would be ideal if you placed the range extender as close to the center of your home or office as possible for best results.
- A good rule of thumb is that one wall will reduce signal strength by 50%.
- There are four types of wireless signals – AC, N, G, and B – which correspond to different frequency ranges (5GHz vs. 2.4GHz).
- AC typically has faster speeds than N because its higher frequency allows for more data throughput in fewer time frames than N’s lower frequency does
Various factors go into choosing a good extender for your Wi-Fi. You need to consider the size of your home, the number of devices you have, and how much traffic you usually have on your network.
You must also ensure that your chosen extender is compatible with your router. Below are the tips to help you choose the best extender for your needs:
- Determine the size of your home: This will help you narrow down the number of choices you have.
- Consider the number of devices you have: The more devices you have, the more robust an extender you will need.
- Consider how much traffic you usually have on your network: The more traffic, the faster your extender should be. This is less important if you have a high bandwidth plan from your ISP.
- Make sure that the extender you choose is compatible with your router so it can extend wired and wireless connections.
Use this post as your starting point when considering which Wi-Fi Extenders may work for you.
7. Connection Type – Wireless/Wired
You will need to decide on a connection type for your home network. The two most common types are wireless and wired. Wireless is the most popular type since it doesn’t require any cables. However, it is essential to note that wireless signals can be weaker than wired signals.
If you live in a large home, you may want to consider using a wired connection for some of your devices.
Pro Tip: The router is the heart of your home network. It is crucial to place it in a central location so all your devices can receive a strong signal. However, if you have a large home, you may need to place additional routers in different locations to ensure that all areas have coverage.
The Final Word
To get the best possible performance from your Wi-Fi, ensure you clearly understand what it requires. By doing so, you are sure to get the most out of your investment and enjoy the fastest, most reliable speeds possible.
For instance, if you know that 5GHz is only available for 802.11ac devices but not for 802.11n devices, then using a Wi-Fi extender is not an option because this will cause interference with both devices (though at different ranges).
Similarly, if your device only supports 2.4GHz frequency bands but none other, running at 5GHz will require all traffic in the area to also run on 5GHz, which may slow down all wireless communications within range.
Reference 1:https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/internetbasics/how-to-set-up-a-wifi-network/1/
Reference 2: https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/how-to-set-up-a-home-wi-fi-network