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    Will a better antenna improve WiFi speed or only range?

    Hardware
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    • A
      altiris last edited by

      Right now I am using the asus antenna that came with my asus z97 mobo that is connected to the back panel of the mobo. I don't know what the connection is called but it has two gold pins where the antenna get screwed on. The wifi is kind of slow (compared to my linksys router at least), even with different 802.11 settings. I am thinking it is the antenna (probably cheap), if so, would getting a better antenna increase the speed or would it only increase the range? For me, this is what I have seen so far as an upgrade http://www.asus.com/us/Networking/WLANT191/specifications/ If this will not improve speed though, what else should I use? A PCI wifi card?
      Thanks!

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      • S
        Supermule Banned last edited by

        The stronger the signal, the faster it goes!

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        • A
          altiris last edited by

          @Supermule:

          The stronger the signal, the faster it goes!

          I do hope you aren't joking.

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          • S
            Supermule Banned last edited by

            I am not.

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            • ?
              Guest last edited by

              The antenna you linked to is only for 2.4ghz. If your spending money on wifi antennas i would recommend finding a dual band antenna capable of both 2.4 and 5ghz. frequencies.

              I am a fan of Terrawave. They can be found on ebay for cheap. Do your homework as there are many models with some wifi and some 3G/4G.
              Here is an example:
              http://www.ebay.com/itm/231509243081?

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              • Derelict
                Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate last edited by

                Stronger signal = higher MCS index = faster throughput.

                But you are going to see minimal speed gains with just a better omni.

                The real win for that part might be if you can place the antenna in a far more optimal location, like hanging from the ceiling.  Then you'd get the added gain plus better line-of-sight, and maybe closer proximity to more devices, etc.

                For the cost of about 12 of those you can get a Ruckus 7372 and not worry about your Wi-Fi any more.

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                • ?
                  Guest last edited by

                  If i understand things correctly, 5ghz signal will not travel as far as 2.4ghz with the same output power. So depends on your client distance right? That and usage. For backhaul link 2.4ghz would go further and for AP usage 5ghz would be faster signal for speed closer in.

                  Is that right?

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                  • Derelict
                    Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate last edited by

                    Very generally, yes, but considering the state of the 2.4GHz band vs the 5GHz band, 5GHz is quite often better for backhaul due to noise levels and channel availability.

                    We really do need another frequency allocation.

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                    • ?
                      Guest last edited by

                      Funny you say that. I been researching Wimax and maybe with that going tits up here in the US we will get that band one day??? Doubt it with those money grubbers in charge.

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