I have a situation where there is a Linksys DSL/Cable Router/Wireless Access Point in a basement. When someone is on the second floor using a laptop the signal cuts in and out. So I installed the Linksys Wireless Bridge (WET11) on the second floor. Am I wrong in believing that the bridge would pick up the signal "strengthen" it on the second floor? Or do I need to have it plugged into a hub or AP? Thanks!

Dave

The bridge is to wirelessly connect another
device/network to the access point. It does
not amplify the signal. Maybe a better
antenna will do. The most logical place
is to put the access point in the middle
of the building.

Well if we can't move the AP to the center of the room, what kind of antenna could we get to amplify the signal?

Amplifying the strength may not be the solution. It sounds like you have interferance. Interferance is caused when a device, or other devices work at the same frequency, blocking your access. Amplifying the signal strength to make it stronger doesn't remove the interferance, it just has you pump in more power, generally to over come attenuation (range) not combat interferance.

The simplest way to combat inteferance is to move the wireless devices around to another point. You don't necessarily have to move it to another floor, it could be as simply as moving it to another room.

I.e. I had a similar situation that you have. I have a Wireless Gateway in the basement, on the 1st floor, we have a 2.4 GHz cordless phone that works at the exact same frequency of the wireless. So when I use my laptop on the 2nd floor, and some one is on the phone in the kitchen (or walking around, it is cordless). My signal goes in and out. I moved to the Wireless Gateway to another location in the basement, testing signal quality with the application it came with, and haven't had the problem since.

Of course, the new 802.11a are out now that work on 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz, and has MORE BANDWIDTH...54 Mbs (though they claim it's a 100 Mbs) which means you would no longer have the same interferance issues. And a lot cheaper and easier then running around trying to buy new antennas and sticking them around your house...LOL.

D

well said D, and I didnt know what the new 802.11a specs were. Learn something everyday :)!