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[got_milk?]

I've got an A3 DIR-655 with 1.32 firmware (sigh) that seems to work okay, but...

My house layout looks like this:

[R]_____________
_______[D]______
_____________[D]

Where [R] is the DIR-655 and [D] is a wireless device. The device on the first floor is a laptop with an Intel WiFi Link 5100N card, and the device in the basement is an Xbox 360.

The Xbox 360 is using the new Wireless N Network Adapter. I bought it specifically since I had connection troubles. Wireless is currently my only option at this point. Since N does advertise twice the range, it seems reasonable to expect a stronger signal in the basement.

If I set the DIR-655 to Wireless G, channel 1, WPA2 AES, I can connect to Xbox Live just fine. If I set the DIR-655 to Wireless N, channel 1, 20/40MHz channel width WPA2 AES, the Xbox shows a jump in signal strength - from 1-2 bars to 3 bars - and it connects to the internet, but it will not connect to Xbox Live. If I take the laptop into the basement, I can connect, but not strongly enough to load even Google. I put the router into G mode, all works fine again with reasonable throughput at that range.

What I did notice as well was that with Wireless N enabled, the Xbox showed a signal strength fluctuating between 1-3 bars, and it did take quite awhile to run the connection test - on Wireless G the test performed much faster.

I moved the Xbox up one level and it connected fine on N - ruling out a faulty adapter.

I do not suspect interference - the closest occupied channel is 6 and there are no other 2.4GHz devices in the house (at least).

To sum it up:

Wireless G - Channel 1 - WPA2 AES: Xbox 360 & laptop connect and function correctly.
Wireless N - Channel 1 - 20/40MHz - WPA2 AES: Xbox 360 and laptop connect but neither function correctly. Xbox does not connect to Live and laptop is unable to browse web pages.

Clearly there is something wrong that D-Link advertises farther range with N devices and in reality I lose range...

Any ideas?

[Lycan]

although the n signal increases potential range, it also increases potential interference. Since it uses channel bonding to combine 3 signals in to a single connection, those 3 have tripled your chances of interference.

[got_milk?]

although the n signal increases potential range, it also increases potential interference. Since it uses channel bonding to combine 3 signals in to a single connection, those 3 have tripled your chances of interference.

That makes sense, but there's nothing in the local area that I know of that would cause interference??

The only thing I am aware of is that in the ceiling of the basement is a ton of Safe and Sound insulation - could this be where the interference is coming from?

[davevt31]

How about pipes that are running throught the basement?  Anything metal will interfere with the signal.

[got_milk?]

How about pipes that are running throught the basement?  Anything metal will interfere with the signal.

Hmm, maybe, I'd have to look and see.

[bluenote]

Sounds to me like you probably have some tweaking to do as far as your N config.
I find following the guide to enable 300mbps connections gives good info in general.

Otherwise you can try playing with your antenna orientations I suppose ...