Improve Your 802.11n Wireless Performance
Wireless performance with IEEE* 802.11n varies based on network setup, interference from other nearby networks, security implementation, frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), and wireless router support for optional features. Please take a look at the following documents to troubleshoot your wireless performance.
What are the first steps to take to improve performance of an 802.11n network?
- Review basic wireless network troubleshooting tips
- Review the recommended settings for 802.11n connectivity
- Setup security with WPA2-AES
- Contact your wireless router manufacturer for instructions on setting up security and 802.11n specific settings
Review some advanced 802.11n information:
- MIMO (Multiple-In Multiple-Out)
- Channel bonding
MIMO allows the use of multiple spatial channels for data transmission and reception increasing the data throughput in direct correlation to the number of antennas used.
Channel bonding must be supported on both the client and wireless router. Using two channels increases the amount of information that can be sent over the wireless connection. Liken it to how a two-lane highway can accommodate more cars than a one-lane highway.
Intel recommends 5 GHz channel bonding. Your wireless router should support 5 GHz (802.11a) to implement channel bonding as recommended.
Router manufacturers support different versions of 802.11n. The ratified version includes support for features such as short guard interval and frame aggregation. Lack of support for these features can reduce the maximum rate and reduce performance of the Intel® wireless adapters. The Connect with Intel® Centrino® processor technology program tests and verifies routers.