“54% of wireless Internet users surveyed face repeated performance issues.”
http://www.linksys.com/us/home-wifi-internet-speed-evolution/
The above quote is relating to home Wi-Fi but a lot of businesses in the UK experience similar Internet and network speed issues. One of the reasons for this is that if you install a good router and switch it will last for years – so they can be the forgotten workhorse of your business network. Yet network technology is changing and performance improving. So April is the month for thinking about your network…
How old are your routers?
Router technology improves year on year. The latest Wi-Fi standard is 802.11ac. If your router is 802.11b or g then a new router would boost your speed and a longer range of connectivity. Below are the expected speeds (average not optimum)
- 802.11ac: Up to 2.5 Gbps (theoretically 7 Gbps)
- 802.11n: Up to 300 Mbps (theoretically 800 Mbps)
- 802.11g: Up to 54 Mbps
- 802.11b: Up to 11 Mbps
So investing in a new router may be worthwhile.
How old are your switches?
We still come across companies that have old, slow hubs and switches installed on their network – something we have not been installing for years. So I have no doubt that some of you reading this will have old hubs and switches installed. There is no point in having the fastest, whizziest, speediest router if an old hub/switch is going to slow down the network speed considerably. We have visited businesses that are paying for the fastest Internet connection possible, but ignoring the fact that their network infrastructure is old and slow.
When did you last update the firmware?
Firmware releases can improve router performance and make it more stable, so it is worthwhile checking for updates regularly.
How many people have the security key to your WiFi?
Over a year you can give a lot of people in a business access to the company WiFi. Remember that Internet connections can be as slow as 256 kbps. So if 10 people all used that simultaneously it would reduce the speed on average to 25.6 kbps. That is an over simplification I know. However, if you are a small business with 20 employees all connecting their personal mobile phones and tablets to the WiFi, and then you have a business meeting with 5 guests connecting to the WiFi, speed can be compromised. So, if your WiFi is slow, one simple thing you can do is change the WiFi security key and restrict employee access via their mobile phones.
Where is your wireless router located?
I know it is obvious, but has anyone put a metal filing cabinet in front of it since it was installed? While we are mentioning location, the majority of routers are omni-directional (sending signals out in all directions). So, if possible, it makes sense to locate the router in the centre of the room/building, not against an outside wall.
Check your Internet Speed
Are you getting what you are paying for? If not contact your broadband provider. Often a call can result in them making changes that improve speed and performance. We have known organisations to suddenly find their speed and performance drop due to changes made by the provider without consultation.
People often have the fastest Internet speed possible at home, where they may only be using one computer. As a consequence, they are often frustrated by the speed of business Internet and networks. It is often impossible to match the speeds at home, but ensuring your network infrastructure is working at its maximum capacity is the first step. For small businesses the cost of investing in the latest technology is relatively small compared with the improvement of performance.
As always if you would like help or advice with this we are happy to help. We also have a special offer this month to help with your router housekeeping.
Rebecca Mansbridge
Director
April 2017