Wireless Broadband Intermittent Connections

Hi

I work in a shared office space where there are around 9 computers wirelessly connecting to a BeThere Broadband ADSL2 box via a couple of wireless hubs. We're experiencing connection issues whereby we click on a link and there is generally either (a) a delay of around 5-10 seconds before getting a response, or (b) no response at all. Once you get a response and the web page loads, the connection seems fine for a minute or two and you can surf normally, but then the response delay comes back again and you're back to square one. It's hugely frustrating.

The connection itself appears to be pretty good because if we download large files, they download without interruption at around 300KB/s. The wireless signal is also very strong. BeThere say there isn't a problem with the connection. It definitely seems to be to do with the initial connection, either to the modem/hub or to the internet itself.

Could this be to do with the number of users accessing the Wireless box? Or configuration fo the hubs? Can anyone help -- it's driving us mad!

9 people if making heavy use of the connection may stretch the device. A lot depends on what everyone is actually doing.

Can some people not be connected via Ethernet?

Thanks for the quick reply.

I've just checked (it's not controlled by me) and there are four ethernet connections into the box and all these are being used. Three machine directly connect to it, whilst the fourth connection goes to a Netgear wireless hub. The other people (including me) connect wirelessly.

Thing is -- nothing has changed in terms of our use over the last month and it used to work fine, only the last week or two have we seen this problem.

Check what other wireless networks can be seen in the area, you may have a channel clash.

Ah, ok. What's the best way to determine this? I can see three other wireless networks (I'm using a Mac) via my wireless connection but they're all secured -- none are open.

If you're able to download and install macstumbler, you can search for other wireless networks that are within range. It's possible that one's been created near you that's operating on the same channel (frequency) as yours. the stumbler should list all the networks in range, name them, and tell what the channel they're using is. If you've got one on the same channel that could be where the problem lies. It's not really about whether they're secured or not.

http://www.istumbler.net/

If you don't get the wireless problems sorted then a cheap ethernet hub/switch can be used to increase the number of wired ports.

Easiest way to experiment with the wireless is just to change the channel used on the router and see if things improve.

I'd tend to do what Kwikbreaks suggests, try a different wireless channel and see.

If you can, I would be very tempted to buy a switch that you can connect all your PCs to, then connect the router and all your PCs to the switch.

http://www.netgear.com/Products/Switches/DesktopSwitches/GS116.aspx or something, perhaps? If you've got the budget, a baisc managed switch is v.v. nice, and lets you see where problems actually are on your network, lock ports to the right speed\duplex combo, etc.