[maxx9photo]

I have a Belkin N router, and 2 computers (one MBP and one iMac). My question is Does WAP or WEP for security log on make any difference in downloading? cause I used WAP now and everytime 2 computers log on together my MBP is always slowing down and not connected at all to internet. I used to have netgear and used WEP and we had 4 computers and never had a problem like this. Or is this simply my router issue? I don't think my MBP causing the problem cause I can connect with my neighbor WiFi very well. Btw the router and the 2 computers are in the same living room (apartment), Thanks for any infos!.

[ghporter]

WiFi Protected Access (W P A) and WEP are basically transparent in terms of perceptible download speeds. The only time there is any sort of delay is immediately on establishing the wireless connection, and that's pretty darn fast.

It sounds to me like there's something odd with your router. I'd do interesting stuff like rotate the router 90º and see if you get similar speed problems, but it's certainly NOT your encryption.

[bearcatrp]

I would suggest resetting your router first. Then use WPA2. Don't know why but had problems with WPA1. I read an article on another forum to do this so gave it a shot. Works allot better. WEP did work faster but is not very secure.

[Big Mac]

WPA is the only thing worth using - WEP is technologically retarded and has been depreciated for years. Neither should cause any noticeable network performance issues.

[amazing]

Download iStumbler and make sure your router is on a distinct channel compared to your other neighborhood routers. If everybody is on channel 9, then you'd go to 6, etc. Also, go to Belkin's websire and see if they have updated firmware for the router--routers aren't always sold with the latest firmware.

Use WPA not WEP.

[Simon]

WEP for all practical purposes can be considered broken.

Go for WPA2.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by amazing 

Download iStumbler and make sure your router is on a distinct channel compared to your other neighborhood routers. If everybody is on channel 9, then you'd go to 6, etc.

If you're talking 802.11 b/g, channels 9 and 6 are not independent. To be independent from 9, you'd have be on something like channel 1 or 3.



Also, some have stated that being on the same channel is actually better than being on overlapping but different channels, due to the way such interference is managed. ie. Going to channel 1 would be the best, but staying on channel 9 might actually be better than going to channel 6.

[Simon]

Outside of the North America there's also channels 12 and 13. These channels are often less crowded thanks to most people never bothering to actually configure their routers.

[Eug]

I thought I saw mention of channel 14 as well (outside of North America).

BTW, in the example given, channel 12 and 13 would still overlap with channel 9, but I presume channel 14 (if it exists) would not.

[Simon]

I thought 14 was only available in Japan for 802.11b.