chowyee

Hi. I'm a student in a College, where Wireless Access Points (802.11b) are installed around our college to provide wireless network connection for our computers.

The Access Point (outdoor version, sorry I cannot find the make and model, but it claims that it is possible of transmitting and receiving a wide range) that we're connecting to frequently hangs (access point seen, but nobody can connect, nobody can use). The current solution that the vendor does is to shut down, restart the Access Point, temporarily fixing the problem, which will recur in a while (sometimes a few hours, sometimes a few days).

We're looking at a more permanent solution here. The vendor insists that it is the presence of Ad-hoc networks (for WLAN gaming like Warcraft) that is bringing the Wireless Access Point down.

I however suggested that that is not the problem. My reasons are:
1. The access point's transmitting and receiving power should logically be stronger than the individual wireless card's power. So if there really is interference, why is it that the Wireless Access Point that "loses the battle", but not the Wireless Cards setting up the Ad-hoc network? Using Physics law, if the amplitude of the Access Point's wave is +3a, and the Wireless Card's wave is +a, even if destructive interference occurs, the lowest amplitude is still +2a right? Is that not enough for transmission of data? (Please correct me if I put the relative strengths incorrectly)

2. Using Intel ProSET/Wireless to check, the Access Point is set to Channel 6, while the Wireless Cards setting up the Ad-hoc network are set to Channel 1. The 802.11b specification states that Channel 6 and Channel 1 does not overlap. Hence, should interference be a problem here?

3. If interference occurs, it should be some computers that are affected only, but in our case, the whole body of students using that access point is affected.

4. Emperical evidence of situations where many Ad-hoc networks are present while the Wireless Access Point is working well (I'm surfing the net well while my friends are playing Warcraft for example), and many examples when the Wireless Access Point is down while nobody is using any Ad-hoc networks.

From my points, do you think my case that "Ad-hoc networks are not the cause of our college Access Point's malfunctioning" are justified? Actually I'm trying my best to prove to the vendor that it is that Access Point unit that is faulty, and the Vendor should replace it, instead of bringing up reasons like Peer to Peer Network.

Any suggestions would much be appreciated! Feel free to discuss any points that I've mentioned, if you think they're weak, they're strong etc.

streaker69

I would think one of the biggest problems is you have your AP set to Channel 6, the most commonly used channel around. Every single AP that comes out of the box is set to channel 6, approximately 54.05% of the people with AP's have them set to channel 6.

I would think it would also be up to the Vendor to prove his theory using emperical data, and specifications of his device. If he can't provide that then he's just blowing smoke outta his ass.

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wrzwaldo

No, if the equipment is functioning properly then there should be no interference. I would consider getting a 3rd party to come out and do an RF study.

Thorn

Some APs (especially consumer grade APs pressed into 'enterprise' service) also crap out after X number of associations/clients.

Ad Hoc networks with a different SSID and on a clear channel seperation should have absolutely no effect on an AP. The AP shouldn't see them at all due to the different SSID, and the channel seperation of 1-6-11 should prevent any co-channel RF interference.

IF, and it's a big if, the Ad Hoc was within 5 meters of the AP, you might be flooding the AP with enought RF energy to cause a problem. But that's about the only way an Ad Hoc could cause the issues you're reporting.

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