WiFi

WiFi Technology

Let’s clarify something…. Internet access and WiFi are NOT the same thing. Internet Access providers deliver a service to a modem which MAY have a WiFi Access Point built in, often called a WiFi or wireless router – but these are 3-in1 devices…. a service provider modem, a 4 port LAN switch for directly wired devices, and an WiFi WAP (Wireless Access Point) or….. the service delivery Modem then directly connects to a stand-alone wireless router/ WiFi mesh node system. In a smaller home or apartment, an all-in one modem/router is just fine. In a large home, absolutely not. You need a basic router in the electrical panel area where the service enters the home, and then you will place WiFi nodes throughout the home or business where you need WiFi coverage. The absolute wrong thing is to put a massive and expensive router in the basement area…. It should be placed centrally in the home instead…..

Clearwave utilizes Linksys Velop, (residential) Cambium and Meraki (enterprise) wireless access points for small, medium , or large scale roam-able wi-fi networks. Wherever possible, we hardwire all WAPs and nodes back to the source network to have the cleanest WiFi network achievable.

A WiFi system is used to allow mobile and other wireless devices within the home or business to connect to the internet. A standard or high-performance wireless router placed in the basement of a home at the electrical panel where all of the communications wiring is typically terminated typically will have limits to its effective range and most likely will not reach the second floor of the home or another corner of the business / shop floor. More antennas doesn’t mean better range or performance. Carefully optimized WiFi is the key to getting all of that speed your service provider delivers to your mobile devices. Our WiFi networks are designed and balanced to provide effective coverage where you need it most.

Use of wi-fi extenders usually don’t solve problems as they just amplify a noisy signal and re-broadcast it because they are placed too far away from the source wifi signal. Having an extender closer to the main WIFi source (mid-point between the source and destination) is a better strategy if you are going to use extenders. Proper network architecture should be used with stand-alone WAP (wireless access points or mesh nodes) to augment the wi-fi coverage within the premise.

 In noisy WiFi environments like apartment buildings, there is little that can be done so forget about your WiFi running at full speeds as there is too much interference from neighbors. The Internet Service provider Modem should be placed in the living room, and running Ethernet (CAT5e/6) cables to the bandwidth hungry TVs and gaming consoles is the best solution. Clearwave can usually wire these locations for you.