Wireless Networking Technical FAQ

 
This document provides answers to the most common technical questions reagrding to the wireless network located in both Meiling Hall and the Prior Health Sciences Library.
  1. Why does my Signal Strength say “Low”?
  2. If I have a ‘Low’ Signal, does that mean that my data transfers are going to be slow?
  3. Do I have to install the AEGIS Client? Can’t I use the Wireless Network Logins available through Windows XP/2000?
  4. The AEGIS Client keeps going from "authenticated" to "authenticating", and I can’t get online. What do I do?
  5. Can I still use my home wireless network with the AEGIS Client?
  6. How do I know if I have the most up-to-date versions of drivers for my wireless card?
  7. Why doesn't the scan button doesn’t light up when I double-click on my wireless card in the AEGIS Client?
  8. Why does the AEGIS Client says that it is authenticated, but I cannot get online?
  9. When I installed the AEGIS client, it changed my Windows login screen. How do I change this?
  10. How do I connect to wireless at home (SBC, Yahoo, DSL)?

 

1. Why does my Signal Strength say “Low”?

 

Wireless networking has been made simple in the most recent versions of the Windows Operating System. With the “Wireless Zero Configuration” utility built in, a user can do practically anything they would like on a wireless network.

 

Signal Level:

 

 

Figure1: Low Signal                                                        Figure 2: Good Signal

 

Often times, with Windows XP and Windows 2000, a small screen will pop up stating that your signal level has changed. These screens (similar to those shown above) can read the following signal strengths: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Low, Very Low.

 

We have found that often times the signal levels are not 100% accurate. When they are accurate (or as close as they can be), Windows provides no other explanation to the signal strength other than the graphical interface you can get by clicking on the Wireless Network Adapter Icon (the two computers).

 

Figure 3: Status Screen

 

At this point, you are provided information about the signal strength with only green and white bars (with no other correlation of bars to signal strength). We feel that it is our duty to explain how these signal levels (both bars and signal strength indicators) are obtained.

 

Getting Technical:

 

With wireless networking with 802.11b, your speed is determined through calculations of the signal you are receiving, and the background noise that is on that frequency at that time. When your signal reaches a level that is within 10dBm of the background noise, your data rates shift to 5.5Mbps from 11Mbps. At 8dBm from the noise level, your data rates shift to 2 Mbps. Similarly, at 6dBm, the data rates go down to 1Mbps (practically nothing in comparison). This difference between the signal level, and noise level is called the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR).

 

 

 

 

 

  SNR = 32dBm

 
 

 


Signal = 54dBm

Noise = 22dBm

Figure 4: SNR

 

Likewise, there are certain SNR levels that Windows uses to determine it’s signal strength declarations.

 

 

Windows Signal Level

Signal to Noise Ratio

Data Rates

Excellent

26 dBm and above

11Mpbs

Very Good

25dBm  to 21dBm

11Mpbs

Good

20dBm to 16dBm

11Mpbs

Low

15dBm to 11dBm

11Mpbs

Very Low

10dBm to 8dBm

5.5Mbps

Very Low

8dBm to 6dBm

2Mbps

Very Low

6 dBm and under

1Mbps

Figure 5: SNR equation table

 

Therefore, the SNR level shown in Figure 4, would have a reading of “Excellent” on the Windows machine.

 

 

2. If I have a ‘Low’ Signal, does that mean that my data transfers are going to be slow?

 

It depends.

 

Signals vary because of a multitude of things. [The distance you are from the wireless signal, the noise in the background, the type of obstructions in your way, etc]. For instance, if you are a far distance from the Access Point (the unit that your computer talks to with the wireless signal), and there is a large crowd of people in your way, your signal may get absorbed into the crowd.

 

As such, some of the signal may not get to your computer, and the computer will have to resend the information again. This could cause some delay in the data, and therefore can slow your connection.

 

On the other hand, you could be in an open field, but far away from the Access Point. There’s little to no noise, and you can even almost see the Access Point. Your speed, even though it reads “Low” will most likely still be 11Mbps. This is because the computer doesn’t have to ask for the same data over and over again and it can continue to download new data.

 

 

3. Do I have to install the AEGIS Client ? Can’t I use the Wireless Network Logins available through Windows XP/2000?

 

Unfortunately, the logins built into your Windows Operating System is not compatible with our system. We require that you either use a Cisco Wireless Adapter (and the software bundled with it), or the Meetinghouse AEGIS Client (for use with other wireless cards.)

 

 

4. The AEGIS Client keeps going from "authenticated" to "authenticating", and I can’t get online. What do I do?

 

This is due to an incorrect password. Please retype your username and password and try again.

 

 

5. Can I still use my home wireless network with the Meetinghouse software?

 

Yes. Follow these instructions:

 

1) Open the AEGIS client

2) Double-click your wireless card in the AEGIS window.

3) Click Scan,

            If your wireless network shows up there, select "Move to configured"

Otherwise:

             Enter "Home" in Network Profile

             Uncheck "associate with any available network"

             Enter the SSID for your home network in "Network Name"

             Click the "Wep Management" tab

Make sure nothing is checked [if you are not using WEP at home]; if there are   checkmarks remove them.

             Hit Ok.

4) Hit OK to exit the screen.

5) Hit the blue Restart button.

6) When the icon turns orange, you should now be online.

 

 

6. How do I know if I have the most up-to-date versions of drivers for my wireless card?

 

The only way to know this is to visit your wireless card manufacturer’s website, and they can tell you what the most recent version is.

 

 

7. Why doesn't the scan button doesn’t light up when I double-click on my wireless card in the AEGIS Client?

 

Make sure that your wireless card is turned on and working. If it is, please make sure that you have the most recent drivers.

 

 

8. Why does the AEGIS Client says that it is authenticated, but I cannot get online?

 

1)     Is the Authenticated sign going from “Authenticated” [Green] to “Authenticating” [Yellow] every 3 seconds?

a.      Double-click on your wireless card in the AEGIS window.

b.     Make sure that the username and password is typed correct, making sure that the CAPS-LOCK button is not on.

c.      Click OK

2)     Perform the following:

a.      Open your Control Panel [Start-Settings-Control Panel, or Start-Control Panel].

b.     Open Network and Dial-up connections.

c.      Right-click on your Wireless Connection.

d.     If “Remove from Bridge” is listed in the drop-down menu (as seen below), click it.

 

e.      Restart your computer

 

 

9. When I installed the AEGIS client, it changed my Windows login screen. How do I change this?

 

point there is no way to change it back without un-installing the AEGIS client. This is caused because the AEGIS client has the ability to pull login information regarding the Windows login for use to log into the wireless network.

 

 

10. How do I connect to wireless at home (SBC, Yahoo, DSL)?

Please follow these instructions:

1) Open the Meetinghouse AEGIS client
2) Right-Click on your Ethernet Card, select "Stop"
3) Close AEGIS Client
4) Plug the SBC Yahoo DSL line into your computer.
5) Open the Connection Manager; It will say that it is having problems, click Refresh.
6) Click Change Gateway

Last Updated 12/17/2003 by Eric Schnell