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[Zoomer]

I've been experiencing some less than stellar performance from the wireless section of my DIR-655 RevB and I think I've figured out why. I downloaded the link FurryNutz provided for inSSIDer and tried it on my network. It turns out there was another router just as strong as my DIR-655 on the same exact channel.

My router wireless was set to "Auto Channel Scan" and the greyed out Channel panel indicated Channel 6. According to inSSIDer, my router was on channel 1, the same channel as the competing router. I found that among all the active routers that inSSIDer detected, channel 8 was unused. I unchecked "Auto Channel Scan" and set the router manually to channel 8: immediately my throughput practically doubled and the network became more responsive. It was a dramatic improvement.

So, at least for the DIR-655 RevB NA Firmware 2.03:

• "Auto Channel Scan" does not guarantee that it will necessarily find a unique unused channel; I wonder if this isn't a bug.
• The greyed out channel indication is innacurate when "Auto Channel Scan" is on. The "Status \ Device Info" page indicates the actual channel in use.
• inSSIDer is invaluable in finding a free channel in the neighborhood; the router has to be manually set to it.

Another thing I did was set the DHCP to renew every 28 days (40320 secs) and I'll be resetting it again next time I'm awake in the middle of the night so it doesn't happen during waking hours. This always seems to interrupt wireless connectivity whenever it happens. I'm not sure why "0" can't be made never to reset - since everything is either on fixed IP or Reserved IP on my network there's really no reason I can think of for ever resetting DHCP, unless there's some kind of garbage collection that's done when it happens.

BTW, I recently changed my wireless phone system to a Panasonic that runs in the 1.9 gHz range (they call it DECT 6.0) so there's no interference there, but who knows about my neighbors...

FYI....

[Cobra]

Channel 8 is vulnerable to channel overlapping.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

[Zoomer]

Channel 8 is vulnerable to channel overlapping.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

Thanks for the warning. I can't quite tell from the linked page why ch 8 is a bad choice, but after my initial success yesterday, the wireless no Ch 8 became more erratic than ever.

Based on that page, I just checked in SSIDer and my "nemesis" switched to Ch 6 overnight and was practically on top of me. So I switched to channel 11 eleven to steer clear of him, and throughput is back.

BUT what I'm seeing now is more of a puzzler: it seems my DIR-655 is keeps switching between Ch 11 and Ch 11+7 ?!? According to inSSIDer, it's not like it's switching back and forth but rather alternating between ch 11 and bridging Ch 7 to 11. I tried restarting inSSIDER in case it was  a glitch but it isn't. It's almost like it's trying to encourage the Ch 6 modem down. Bizarre!

BTW, there's 23 routers listed and none them are doing this. And in the Ch 11 area my router is at least 20 dB louder than the others, but while it alternates channel states, it occasionally loses power.   

Anyone know what's going on? 

[FurryNutz]

there's 23 routers listed 

Having this amount of neighboring wireless congestion of routers near by can impact your routers operation and performance.
You live in a apartment complex or neighborhood with a lot of people around?

We've seen this issue on other boards:
DIR-855 Wireless Congestion

[Zoomer]

there's 23 routers listed  

Having this amount of neighboring wireless congestion of routers near by can impact your routers operation and performance.
You live in a apartment complex or neighborhood with a lot of people around?

We've seen this issue on other boards:
DIR-855 Wireless Congestion

Hmmm... guess I'll have to try PMing Patrick about his 1 Watt solution... I live in the city, with a 20 apt complex next door and surrounded by 2 and 3 apt buildings. I didn't realize how congested it was! Interestingly there's no one in the 5 GHz range...

I just checked inSSIDer and my router is still jumping between Ch 11 alone and Ch 11 + 7. Does anyone know what that's about or what it means?  

[FurryNutz]

EEEEWWWA. Ya, seems that more and more people are getting WiFi routers and it's becomming more congested in cities and apartment complexes. The router is trying to find the best signal and channel and running into inferences while trying to maintain.

If there isn't many or any one using the 5Ghz band, that maybe a option for you. Get into a router with 5Ghz and you'll need to get an add-on card or adapter for 5Ghz for your pc. Other devices like cell phones and pads don't support 5Ghz as of yet so it's possible that maybe lowering the power out put of the 655 or the next router you get on 2.4Ghz, creating a small foot print broadcast might help for 2.4Ghz. I think 2.4Ghz for you is just congested right now. Check out the DIR-8 Series routers for 5Ghz. I love my 825. The DGL04500 is a great router too however only does either 2.4 or 5Ghz, no simultaneous.

Keep us posted.

[Zoomer]

I've got too many devices using 2.4 for now to give it up. Actually, there's only 1 router (my "nemesis") who's as powerful as me. The next one is about 10 dB down but most everyone else is at least 25 db down or lower. I just reset my router and it seems to be sticking to just Channel 11, my nemesis is on 6 and the third loudest is on 3.

Like this, as long as my nemesis and I aren't stepping on each other's toes, wifi speeds and access are ok for my needs. But this can change at any time. Right now I've got my router against a far wall of the house. I'm going to try positioning it in a more central location, or maybe against the other wall which is right up against the apt. complex. I wonder what's best.
 

[FurryNutz]

One other option that I mentioned to people in the 855 forum, go talk to your "nemisis" and ask them about the possibility of using just one router and sharing the WiFi and the monthly rent on the bill. I do that here with my next door neighbor. Just as long as it's running, he's happy. Might be an option for you and some of your surrounding neighbors.

[Zoomer]

One other option that I mentioned to people in the 855 forum, go talk to your "nemisis" and ask them about the possibility of using just one router and sharing the WiFi and the monthly rent on the bill....

First, I have no idea where this person is, and I'm not going to start knocking on 23+ different doors to find them . But more importantly, as a content creator, I'd have to buckle up on security in my network which would be more trouble than it's worth. I'm sure this is great for more conventional internet use, but not an option for me.

I was thinking: I have a old and rather dumb Trendnet router that I could set up as a wireless AP and connect to the DIR-655. What are the ramifications of doing this? Could it improve things or could it cause more problems or contentions? And would security still be guarded by the DIR-655? I guess I should read up on using wireless a AP... 

[FurryNutz]

You could connect up another wifi router however you'll just be adding to the noise and congestion already. Unless you turn off the radio on the 655 and use the Trendnet as your main wireless AP.

Have you tried to lower the power out put of the 655 under Advanced Wireless, Not sure if this will help however it might make the broadcast foot print smaller and might help the router to maintain a signal and might not have to keep trying to find a channel with interference. The default is on HIGH. Try Medium and Low. Best to be with in 10 feet or closer while your testing this.

Let us know.