Wireless networking

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Revision as of 22:54, 20 January 2011 by N Reid (talk | contribs) (change heading Software faults to Intermittent faults, add loose Airport card)
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Wireless networking often works simply, but problems can be tricky to trace. This article aims to help with the most important pointers.

Interference

Wireless networks can be hampered by interference from a neighbor's network using the same frequency band, or other equipment such as a microwave or cordless phone.

MacWorld published this helpful advice on wireless network interference in May 2010:

If you want to scan for interfering wireless networks, try KisMAC.

Intermittent faults

Intermittent problems, especially if they affect just one out of multiple computers, could be down to a software issue specific to that machine. It might be worth noting the times the dropout occurs and seeing if anything is showing up in the Console logs at around the same time. Try typing "Airport" into the Console search-field and see what comes up.

If it is not software, it could also be a loose or poorly fitted Airport card in the laptop.

Credits

This page is a summary of emails posted on the Mac Ministry List in December 2010–January 2011 by Aaron Hunyady, Andreas Jodner, Jon Gardner, Peter Connolly and Allan Crowson.