TheBug - Wifi

Wonderful WiFi

Wi-Fi is both wonderful and hugely frustrating at the same time. Although the only guaranteed way of accessing the full B4RN speed is with a physical connection e.g. Cat6 Ethernet, most portable devices only support a wireless network connection. This section describes some principles of Wi-Fi security, a simple explanation on Wi-Fi coverage/signal strength and how to improve the coverage around your home, for some ideas on how to measure your connection speeds see Speed Testing.

Wifi Names -SSID's and Security

All B4RN routers come preconfigured with a broadcast name for the Wi-Fi, it’s called a Service Set Identifier or normally just the SSID. The SSID functions as a nameplate for your Wi-Fi network, helping devices locate and connect to it. It plays a role in both network identification and security. Your SSID is the name you give your network, distinguishing it from others. It's like a label that devices use to find and join your network. Additionally, your SSID impacts security. You can choose to broadcast it openly or keep it hidden. If hidden, devices require the precise SSID to connect, adding a simple layer of security by preventing casual access attempts.

Associated with the SSID is the Wi-Fi Password, this is effectively like a key to a lock. The wifi password is often called a 'security key'on the sticker on your router. Do not confuse this with the password for accessing the router. Devices need the correct password to access your Wi-Fi. Creating a strong password that's not easily guessed is crucial and usually the one on the sticker is adequate. In addition to the password the Wireless Protected Access protocol WPA further enhances this security by using a longer and more complex "pre-shared key," making it harder for hackers to crack. WPA is now normally set on the B4RN router to either WPA2 or the latest standard WPA3. In some instances, older mobile devices will not always connect correctly with a WPA3 configured router so the router setting should show WPA2/3. It’s also possible for some of the latest mobile devices to flag the Wi-Fi from WPA2 router as a potential security risk, over time these incompatibilities should become less common as WPA3 becomes the norm. A final thought, although you can remove the need for a password and have unsecured Wi-Fi you are leaving your network completely open for anyone to connect to and potentially compromise, you will be potentially liable for anything that they access using your network connection.

In summary, Wi-Fi security relies on passwords, encryption, and protocols like WPA. These components form a robust defence against unauthorized access and data interception, ensuring your network remains private and secure.

Understanding WiFi Coverage

Wi-Fi is a radio frequency based technology, it operates at frequencies between 25 and 50 times higher than that of a normal FM Radio station, The Router and any connected device (Tablet, TV etc) have very low powered, in most cases just a tiny fraction of a Watt, transmitter inside them. Over the years B4RN has been operating it has deployed routers that have delivered the latest Wi-Fi standards (WiFi4/802.11n, WiFi5/802.11ac, WiFi6/802.11ax) for specifics see the section Routers, these changing standards have improved connection speeds and reliability. There are two main frequency bands that are licenced for use by Wi-Fi they are generally referred to as 2.4GHz and 5 GHz, broadly speaking 2.4GHz has better range but slower speeds than the 5GHz Wi-Fi. Each Wi-Fi frequency band is split into several channels; the channel used is set and controlled by the router.

However, Wi-Fi isn't perfect for every situation and there are many things that can affect its performance and reliability. For example, if you move than 10 metres away from your router, or there is a wall between you and the router, then the quality of the wireless signal degrades and hence the Wi-Fi speeds drop; you may experience it as a poorly responding web page or buffering on your TV streaming service. Simply put, the wireless signal produced by all consumer devices is incredibly low powered, it weakens with distance, and it is deflected and absorbed by the building's structure.

It is impossible to guarantee exactly how well a Wi-Fi signal will travel around your house, each home is different. Even under perfect conditions the very best Wi-Fi connection between the latest mobile device and the newest B4RN WiFi6 router will typically reach no more than 600-700Mb/s, and more likely be <200Mb/s. The age of the client device is also a big factor, many mobile devices just a few years old are limited to around 100Mb/s or even less. It's just worth re-emphasising that a stable 40Mb/s link is sufficient for UHD 4K tv streaming.

If you are intending to rely upon the router's Wi-Fi, then try to ensure the router is located near to the areas where you will be connecting most often. If you just want the most even coverage then locate the router centrally in the house (practical considerations permitting). This page Router Location has some pointers on what to consider when planning your router location.

All the router manufacturers are limited by legislation controlling transmitted power, so don't believe it when adverts claim to have "most powerful Wi-Fi", what they are referring to is how they manage or "focus" the effective signal. Most routers including those from Zyxel and Genxis refer to Omnidirectional aerials, consequently if we all lived in houses shaped like a ring donut with no walls, we'd have better Wi-Fi. Below is an example of an Omnidirectional aerial’s transmission pattern.

The reality however is that once the idealised transmission pattern is superimposed on a building the walls will affect the actual shape. A Wi-Fi "heat map” which is really just a way of displaying signal strength inside a space might typically look like the picture below. The strongest signal is dark green near the centrally located router and it fades through green to yellow to light red as the signal decreases in strength and hence quality/speed.

Wifi "Heat Map"

A graphical representation of the effect on WiFi signal strength around the rooms in a building, shown in plan.

Improving WiFi Coverage

If your house is particularly large, has very thick walls or perhaps is ‘L' shaped, then deciding the location of the B4RN router is always going to be a compromise between overall coverage and where you need the Wi-Fi most.

You can improve the quality and range of Wi-Fi coverage by careful location choice, but it’s often much better to consider adding individual Wi-Fi Access Points or better still a Mesh Wi-Fi for larger properties or those with difficult layouts or thick internal walls. It’s also worth reading the section on Wired Networks as a combination of wired and wireless connections may suit your needs best.

Prior to Mesh Wi-Fi systems becoming widely available, the only wireless approach was to use a device variously called “a Wi-Fi booster/repeater/range extender”. Although manufacturers use the names interchangeably and some of the exact details of how individual devices work will vary, these devices connect to the Routers Wi-Fi and then broadcast a separate signal thus extending the coverage. Some boosters will rename the new Wi-Fi, others will use the same name as the Routers Wi-Fi. The vast majority of boosters all share the same fundamental flaw; they halve the available connection speed for devices using the extended Wi-Fi, and cause problems after power cuts.

For many people the best solution for better Wi-Fi coverage is to use a mesh system. Correctly positioned they will provide coverage for the whole house. The speed they deliver depends mainly on the price you pay, but even the very cheapest work brilliantly for many people. They usually come in sets of three, with only a few very large houses needing more. The first unit is connected to the router via ethernet cable. Once powered and transmitting the second unit is placed so that it can wirelessly link to the first unit, and similarly the third can connect to either the first or second wirelessly. Most Mesh systems have simple LED indicators to show how well the connection between units is performing, so that their position can be adjusted. Dual Band Mesh systems rely upon the same Wi-Fi channel to connect the Mesh points as the one they use to share around the home, more capable systems will have a dedicated wireless link for connecting the Mesh points- usually referred to as “tri-band”; dual band systems are usually cheaper than tri-band. Most Mesh units also have the option of replacing the wireless link between them (called the “backhaul”) with an ethernet cable. The combination of the Mesh units ensures a much larger area of the property receives a strong single Wi-Fi signal. Additional Mesh units can be added in some systems, typically 3-6 is the maximum number. To simplify the Wi-Fi environment inside the house, it is advisable to switch off the router Wi-Fi which can be simply achieved using a button on the outside of the router.

Extended building with Mesh

A representation of a Wifi Heat map as it might appear for a 3 Point Mesh System in the building after it has been extended. In this case the original Router Wifi has been turned off. As can be seen even with a Mesh there will still be variation in the WiFi signal strength