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General discussion

Worth upgrading to Linksys g access point?

Nov 10, 2004 11:58AM PST

I have a desktop connected by a linksys B USB access point to a Linksys router one floor up--but I'm getting frequent disconnections, especially when I'm connected to my company's VPN from home. I'm sure my access point is at the edge of router range, but does anyone know if any other manufacturers' USB units are more reliable or sensitive--and why should the VPN keep knocking my connection out? (PS: Windows XP box)

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Re: Worth upgrading to Linksys g access point?
Nov 10, 2004 9:35PM PST

I changed such and the range didn't change much. So I'll write no.

However I did change my laptop wifi card and it's much better now. You have to laugh since I paid 8 bucks each for a 4 pack of "WaveBuddy 'B' Wifi" cards. It seems the issue with that setup was the client card.

Your best bet are repeaters and a better antenna.

bob

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Re: Worth upgrading to Linksys g access point?
Nov 11, 2004 12:35AM PST

I'll agree with Bob, changing the access point likely won't by itself result in any longer range, unless you buy one that can be hacked and the transmitter power boosted to illegal levels - which I won't recommend.

Changing the client card might result in better reception, but that too is iffy at the fringe of the signal.

Bob mentioned a better antenna - consider one of the parabolic reflector designs at http://www.freeantennas.com. You may even have some of the necessary stuff (foil, cardboard) laying around. A properly placed reflector can work wonders at pushing the signal deeper into a weak area.

On the VPN dropouts, understand that the VPN establishes itself as a secure link on a continuous TCP/IP connection all the way between your laptop and your company server. If any point along the way loses contact, even momentarily, the secure tunnel is breached and the VPN software will fold and close. The buggy connection between your laptop and your wireless router is but one small link in the overall chain and you may not consider it to be a security breach, but the VPN does not differentiate - a link drops and the VPN drops too. After all, how do you know that some cracker isn't sitting up in the tree outside your house deftly swapping a tap into your wireless signal...

dw