2 Modem/Routers. Both on same channel. ?

Question

2 Routers in my street. Mine and presumably a neighbours. Both are on channel 11 (European). Why is it that my Wireless SSID is now not being picked up by my computer (next to the router for test purposes) but will pick up my neighbours.

I have tried using Netstumbler to check and have confirmed we're both on the same channel. Netstumbler picks up my wireless network SSID so I know my router is broadcasting, but my laptop won't connect to it. The error message is that the signal is too weak.

Is it possible that my Neighbour has a more powerful router and its signal is overwhelming my Netgear ? Are some router brands more powerful than others ?

Answer 1

It is possible that your neighbor has more power in the router. There are some routers intended to deliver wide areas and they have more power. Check the ones from Bountiful, Zyxel, and many others. Those routers may have as much as 10 times the power of Netgear, Linksys, Dlink, etc!  You can even buy amplifiers for lower power routers.

All that being said, why not just login to your router and CHANGE THE CHANNEL!  You have the ability to put your router on a channel that isn't competing and then you will have better signal!  Having two routers close to each other on the same channel is like having two people trying to talk at the same time..just doesn't work well.

Change the channel, turn on encryption, and change your SSID to something besides Netgear!

Answer 2

it only means that ur WEP key is not enabled, meaning when somebody  tries to connect it does not ask for a password, so it's like ur giving ur internet connection for free.

now here's what you have to, first you have to change your SSID name , here's how you do that:

1. Connect ur netgear to one of ur PC's using a cable.

2. type in 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (depends on the model number of your netgear)

3. it will ask for a username and password. The default username  will be admin  and the default password is password.

4. Click Wireless Settings under Setup on the left menu bar

5. Under Wireless Network change SSID from default NETGEAR to anything u want, select the region and then apply the changes.

6. Now, to enable the security so that no one can easily connect to your netgear, under security options change disable to WEP and then enter the WEP key you desire , if its set to 64 bit then a 10 digit number would work. apply the settings.

After u do this steps, other people wont be able to connect to ur network, if they try it will ask for a password this time and that is your wep key and only you will know that :)