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Limiting the wireless transmit rate - Limiting the wireless transmit rate can help
improve the maximum wireless range, and connection stability. Most wireless cards have the
ability to limit the transmission rate. To change this property, click Start, Control Panel,
Network Connections, then double-click your card's connection. In the Properties dialog,
select the Configure button on the General tab (Windows 98 users will have to select the
Wireless Card in the list box and then click Properties), then choose the Advanced tab and
select the rate property. Wireless client cards are usually set to automatically adjust the
wireless transmit rate for you, but doing so can cause periodic disconnects when the wireless
signal is too weak; as a rule, slower transmission rates are more stable. Experiment with
different connection rates until you find the best one for your environment; note that all
available transmission rates should be acceptable for browsing the Internet. For more
assistance, see your wireless card's literature.
Why are there two wireless utilities in my system tray?
Which one should I use?
There are several features and advantages to using the WNU over the Windows XP Wireless
Zero Configuration utility. We offer a site survey, detailed link information, and adapter
diagnosis, to name a few.
It’s essential to know which utility is managing your adapter. We recommend using the WNU.
To use the WNU:
1 Right-click on the network status icon in the system tray and select View Available
Wireless Networks.
2 Click Advanced in the lower left corner of the Available Wireless Networks window.
3 From the Advanced tab, uncheck Use Windows to configure my wireless
network. After the box is unchecked, click OK to close the window.
You are now using the WNU to configure the network adapter.
What's the difference between 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, and
802.11n?
Currently there are four levels of wireless networking standards, which transmit data at very
different maximum speeds. Each is based on the designation for certifying network
standards. The most common wireless networking standard, 802.11b, transmits information
at 11 Mbps; 802.11a and 802.11g work at 54 Mbps; and Pre-N works at 108 Mbps. The
802.11n release promises speeds that exceed 802.11g, and up to twice the wireless coverage
area. See the following chart for more detailed information.
Wireless
Technology
802.11b 802.11g 802.11a 802.11n
Speed
11Mbps 54Mbps 54Mbps 600% faster than
standard 802.11g*