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[sdrum49]

Is there a "best" channel to use for the router -- e.g. the one that would provide maximum range? I live in a fairly large home and the connection deteriorates in some rooms (not lost altogether, but weaker).

Also, what is "channel width"? It's set to 20MHZ, but there is also a setting for Automatic 20/40MHZ. What's the adv advantage of one setting over the other?

[FurryNutz]

Any channel that is open, some say 1 is a good staring point.
However change the mode from mixed all to Mixed G and N or single mode G as single mode G provides the best range. This depends on what devices you have that support N too.
Tinker with the 20/40, some mainly use 20 only.

[FurryNutz]

20/40 kind of depends on what his devices support. Auto however if you can find out what your device support, then adjust appropriately. You can just test it out, theres only 2 settings to play with.

Also to find out what other routers are around you, use InSSIDer and see what others are using as far as channels are going. Some maybe in use already.

[sdrum49]

So essentially, there is no advantage to using Channel 6 over, say Channel 10? The current diaplay is:

Wireless Radio :Enabled.


802.11 Mode : Mixed 802.11n and 802.11g .

Channel Width :40MHz.

Channel :10.

Secondary Channel :6.

WISH : Active .

Wi-Fi Protected Setup :Enabled/Configured

[sdrum49]

Right now it's set for "Enable Auto Channel Scan". I'm assuming that's the best setting? Or should I choose a Channel?

[FurryNutz]

If you don't have alot of other WiFi routers near by, then leave it Auto.

[sdrum49]

I DO have another (Linksys) router in the home that has a fixed channel -- currently set to Channel 11. Is it better, then, to set the DIR-655 to a different fixed channel rather than auto mode? Doesn't auto mode avoid channels that are already in use by another device? While we're on the subject, I notice while in auto mode the DIR-655 selected primary and secondary channels are different whenever I log in. This must mean that it is constantly selecting different channels to use. Would there be a reason for this? Could that be a reason I lose connectivity to the internet every so often?

[FurryNutz]

If it's selected for 11 then you can manually select channel 1 if you like. This would be preferred. Yes Auto has the router try to avoid other channels that are in use.

When two routers use the same channel, both router signal strength will cut down half.  With auto channel, the router trys to avoid using the same channel with the other router.  Switching channel will cause signal lost or disconnect.  Since the linksys uses channel 11, the dir 655 should use channel 1.  Just remember the 3 main channels are channel 1, channel 6, and channel 11.  The other channels are side band channels based on these 3 main channels.

[sdrum49]

Excellent information. Thank you. I did not know about the main/side channels. I'll just set one the Ch 1 and the other to Ch 11 then. [It's interesting that companies like Dlink make very complicated equipment that requires this sort of depth of knowledge, but try to sell them to the general public. I have no idea what half of the settings in this router are for].

[FurryNutz]

Basic information can be found under the Help menu.