Achieve optimal performance from your 802.11n Wi-Fi

Wireless networking using the 802.11n standard is known to significantly provide greater speed and range as compared to the earlier generations, a/b/g. However in most cases, users find themselves experiencing speed slower than they are assured of and feel that they are being short-changed. The fact is, the set-up must be done just right to ensure you get the most out of your wireless network.

Here are the tips to help you in optimizing the performance of your 802.11n Wi-Fi:

Up-to-date hardware
Hardware built before the actual 802.11n standard was finalized may not work well with the newer devices since they are based on what the vendors think would work best with the new standard. One of the problem caused by this is that the older versions of access points, switches or routers from one vendor are not fully compatible with another's though it may seem to be working fine. Another problem is that unless the firmware can be upgraded, the older hardware will not work at its full potential speed with the newer standardized equipment.

Channel bonding
By using 'double-wide' channels, this will increase its throughput when data transmission is carried out over two channels. The downside is that if you run out of Wi-Fi spectrum room, the overall throughput will decline. Even if management of the network space has been done well,  the available channels would likely to be used by your neighbors' Wi-Fi set-up. The best bet would be to use dual-band access points that support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz which will provide maximum flexibility to address these problems you may come across.

Number of multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) antennas
The more the number of antennas, the more simultaneous Wi-Fi connections the AP can handle, and the better the overall network performance. Though this is not always the case, higher-end APs employing techniques like beam-forming will automatically work out the best use for those multiple antennas, especially 'smart antennas' that will help compatible 802.11n APs perform better.

Detailed network planning
Simply adding 802.11n to the network may not exactly cut it though it looks like a cheap and easy way to expand and speed-up the network. Using higher-end network equipment and upgrading the Internet backbone will also make the most out of 802.11n's potential for higher speeds.