More than ever, it’s crucial to have a strong and reliable network. With more telecommuting, Zoom calls and streaming, our home networks are being put to the test. Soundvision takes into consideration a number of variables to ensure networks have near 100% uptime with house-wide wireless coverage for mobile devices. Here are five things you can do to increase the performance of your network.
1. A Quality Internet Service Provider
No matter how good your local network is, your internet speeds are still limited by your internet service provider, or ISP. Your ISP is the bridge between your home and the internet. Let us pretend networks are roadways. If your home network is as powerful as a 10-lane highway, that doesn’t do you any good if your ISP is only bringing in your internet traffic from a one lane road.
If you do a lot of simultaneous streaming or have other high-demand internet needs, we recommend getting fiber internet. Availability is spotty nationwide. For those without access to fiber, we recommend Comcast to those in the SF Bay Area. Other than fiber connections, no other ISPs offer internet speeds that are competitive with Comcast.
2. Use Wired Connections Whenever Possible
Whenever possible, stationary internet devices should be hardwired. A wired connection ensures a strong connection and consistent bandwidth. Devices like desktop computers, TV’s and security cameras are all great examples of devices that are best off hardwired. This allows wireless access points to focus on delivering internet to mobile devices.
When these devices are hardwired, it’s good practice to turn off their wireless abilities. Keeping it on will create more interference and lowers the performance for the devices connected to wireless.
3. Intelligently Setup Wireless Access Points
Wireless access points are what wirelessly broadcast your internet. If not set up correctly, they can cause more headaches rather than help. By doing so, your device can seamlessly change your connection to a new access point as you start getting out of range of another. It’s also important to realize how many access points you need. A good rule of thumb is that you need one wireless access point for every 1,500 square feet of inside and outside space. This needs to be repeated on each floor because wireless doesn’t travel well through floors. Wireless also doesn’t travel through metal in general, which means it has trouble traveling through appliances.
It’s important to determine the placement of the access point with this in mind. Access points spread wireless internet equally in all directions, so they’re best placed in the middle of spaces. Then you must consider where metal is in the home. Metal acts like a wall for wireless. This means access points must be placed closer to these areas such as garages, kitchens and washrooms.
4. Build a Network That Isn’t Overwhelmed
Sometimes our networks are hit with obstacles that demand special equipment. If you have a lot of wirelessly connecting devices, a standard consumer wireless access point may not be able to handle all the connected devices. In other instances, there is so much wireless interference in urban areas from everyone trying to create their own network that it may be difficult to connect to your own. In both these instances, an enterprise solution is the most optimal solution. Soundvision has over 20 years of experience in the industry. We can help design and create your network suited for your needs, Message us today!
5. Meshes – When You’re Out of Options
Mesh networks are more of a band-aid rather than a solution. They’re great when you can’t hardwire multiple access points and can’t hardwire a lot of devices. Meshes work by creating a “web” in the air. If you’re trying to access the internet, the closest mesh will take the request. That mesh isn’t an access point, so it hands it off to the next mesh, and the next and the next until it finally reaches the main network. Because you’re always close to a mesh it gives the perception of a strong network. But all those hands off previously listed leads to high latency and are more prone to packet loss. That means it takes more time just to request data and the data can come in slower.