How well should my wireless network perform?

What kind of performance should I expect from my wireless network?  Should I expect to be able to connect from my backyard?  Is it too much to ask for a network connection that doesn't randomly drop out?  There are many factors that contribute to the overall quality of your wireless network.  Distance, signal type, interference, and bandwidth requirements, will all greatly impact the perceived quality of your wireless network.

There are a few different types of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) or Wi-Fi Networks.  The different 802.11 standards all have different data rates, distances and frequencies.

However, because the Max Data Rates advertised by Manufactures are theoretical and include the communication overhead, actual data throughput rates are much lower, and never come close to reaching the theoretical bandwidth limits.   802.11b networks typically get 2-5Mbps.  802.11a networks typically get 17-29Mbps.  802.11g is usually in the 13-23Mbps range. 802.11n equipment has been measured at 37-42Mbps.

Distance also plays heavily in the quality of the signal.  As the distance increases the signal strength will decrease.  Networks that are using higher Frequencies, will degrade quicker than networks using lower frequencies.

Interference caused by walls, microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, can all greatly decrease the distance and strength of your network.  Proper location of your wireless router and other tricks discussed in this other article can greatly improve upon your signal quality. 

Bandwidth requirements will also determine if the wireless network speeds that you have are good enough for your needs.  If you are using the network for e-mail, word processing, sending pictures, and browsing the internet, then 1Mbit/sec. is more than you will need.  However if you are streaming video you could require about 10Mbits/sec.  If you are using your WLAN for streaming HDTV or extreme gaming, then you will be needing a throughput or about 20Mbits/sec.

As your need for higher throughput increases and your  tolerance for lost signals decreases, you will be forced to move on to the more expensive equipment, or to use a higher speed, more reliable wired network.

Find this article useful? Share it with others!