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RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Modem Router DGND3300 User Manual
Fine-Tuning Your Network 7-6
v1.0, January 2010
limited to the 200 Mbps speed of the Powerline HD connection. Although any of the links in this
example would be sufficient for high-traffic applications such as streaming HD video, the use of
older devices such as 10 Mbps Ethernet or 802.11b wireless would create a significant bottleneck.
Optimizing Wireless Performance
The speed and operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly based
on the physical placement of the wireless router. You should choose a location for your router that
will maximize the network speed.
The following list describes how to optimize wireless router performance.
• Identify critical wireless links.
If your network has several wireless devices, decide which wireless devices need the highest
data rate, and locate the router near them. Many wireless products have automatic data-rate
fallback, which allows increased distances without loss of connectivity. This also means that
devices that are farther away might be slower. Therefore, the most critical links in your
network are those where the traffic is high and the distances are great. Optimize those first.
• Choose placement carefully.
For best results, place your router:
– Near the center of the area in which your computers will operate.
– In an elevated location such as a high shelf where the wirelessly connected computers
have line-of-sight access (even if through walls).
– Avoid obstacles to wireless signals.
– Keep wireless devices at least 2 feet from large metal fixtures such as file cabinets,
refrigerators, pipes, metal ceilings, reinforced concrete, and metal partitions.
– Keep away from large amounts of water such as fish tanks and water coolers.
• Reduce interference.
– Avoid windows unless communicating between buildings.
Note: Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance degradation
or inability to wirelessly connect to the router. For complete range and
performance specifications, click the link to the online document “Wireless
Networking Basics” in Appendix C.