Another Tech Blog

Speaking of the internets, Cisco is going extraterrestrial.  “In a move that could revolutionize satellite communications, Cisco extends the Internet into space for testing by the U.S. government and businesses”. 

Yep, cisco has a router on Intelsat 14 launchedNovember 23.  The router has passed initial testing and is ready for use.  Cisco’s goal is to have “a router on every communications satellite”.  A lofty goal to say the least, and is part of Cisco’s IRIS (Internet Routing In Space) initiative.  The goal of the initiative is to route traffic (voice, data, video) between satellites directly rather than down to terrestrial routers and back up to space.  The implications for the communications industry (and the military) are tremendous, engendering heady comments from industry players.  Don Brown of Intelsat General says “IRIS is to the future of satellite-based communications what Internet forerunner ARPANET was to the creation of the World Wide Web in the 1960s.”   I don’t know if I’d go that far, but it is a pretty big deal.

The big advantage of direct IP between satellites is decreased delay in communication.  Signals between people on opposite sides of the world often have two or more satellite hops to get from one place to another.  If IRIS gets traction, then speeds could be greatly improved.  Think about that the next time a CNN reporter and anchor are staring at dead air while they wait for the other’s words to reach them.

Here’s the press release from CISCO – cool stuff.

Another in a series of “Questions I Get Asked Alot”.

Most people have wireless in their homes but don’t put much thought to it.  In most cases, the router works out of the box, so you really don’t need to do much more than plug it in an start working.  The problem is that once installed, if you don’t have good signal, throughout your home, you will have slow network connections which means slow internet.  What can you do? 

Here are 10 things you can do to improve your wireless network performance. 

1) Position your wirless router (or access point) in a central a location as possible.  In most cases, wireless routers and access points have a 150 foot range indoors and 300 feet outdoors.  This depends on the router and wireless card you are using, but  150 feet is a good rule of thumb.  Make sure that you position your router so that any device that needs access is within that range.

2) Make sure the router is away from objects that can interfere with the signal.  Keep the router off the floor, away from walls and other metal objects (metal file cabinets, metal bookshelves) and as clear of clutter as possible.  Routers are not always the most attractive pieces of equipment, but make best efforts to keep them clear.  The top of bookshelves or in coat closets are great places (be careful of too many wire hangers!).

3) Add a wireless repeater (or additional access point).  If you have weak signal at the extremes ends of your network you can add a repeater or an access point to extend the reach of your network.  Most wireless manufaturers make repeaters, and they are easy to install.  You can also check out powerline adapters to extend your network.  Powerline adapters are devices that extend your network over your electrical system.  the way it works is you plug a sending device into a wall socket from your router, then a receiver in the wall socket where you need signal.  Network traffic flows over your electrical wiring from the sender to the reciever an then to your target machine – easy!

4) Change your wirelss channel.  Jsut like a wireless phone, your router can broadcast over several different wireless channels.  If you are getting poor signal, try changing to a new channel using your router’s admin tools.  You don’t need to change anything on your computer, the machine will automatically adjust to the new channel.

5) Make sure that your router is the only device on it’s frequency.  You’ve all seen wireless devices labelled “2.4GHz” or “5.8GHz”, right?  These numbers refer the frequency on which the wireless signal is broadcast.  If you have other wireless devices in the house – phones, baby moitors, etc – then be sure that they are not on the same frequency as your router.  Since most routers are in the 2.4 GHz band, get devices that are 5.8Gz or 900MHz.

6) Make sure your driver software and router firmware are up to date.  To update the driver for the network adapter, just run Microsoft Updates.  For the router firmware, go to the manufacturer’s website and look for firmware updates for your model number.  Generally, you download a package from the manufacturer’s website then use the router’s administration tool to load the software to the router.

7) Upgrade older 802.11b devices to 802.11g or n.  Devices created under the 802.11b standard are 5 times slower than g, and 10 times slower than n. 

8) But both router and network card from the same manufacturer.  While this shouldn’t matter – standards are standards after all – it can make a differences.  Where possible, you should use the same brand of wireless card as your router.  The reason is that some manufacturers (Linksys, D-Link) give you speed advantages when you use router and cards from the same manufacturer.  I don’t like the practice, but there it is.

9) Replace the antenna that came with your router with a high-gain, directional antenna.  The antenna that came with your router is omni-directional meaning it sends signal in all directions.  If you have the router at the back of your house next to an outside wall, then half of your signal is going uselessly outside the house.  Replacing the antenna will make better use of the power available for signal, and direct the signal where you need it.

10) Replace your internal wireless adapter with an external adapter and antenna.  This will not only make sure you have the latest technology, but also give you and external antenna which will increase your signal strength.  You can also get an external adapter with a high gain antenna to boost your signal.

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