How does wireless works

[prolemur]

http://prntscr.com/3kokwf Is this a correct representation of a wireless network

or

http://prntscr.com/3kolmn ^^

or

http://prntscr.com/3koory ^^

 

If it a combination of better router and better wireless card to increase maximum range

or is it just the wireless card

So would getting a better wireless card actually increase my range or is that all on the routers job.

Thanks, I have been wondering this for a while because I can connect to some ap with my phone and not with my laptop and vice versa

[Ivyk]

Kinda yeah, the router/modem sends out a signal that devices can pick up and connect to.

[Ciccioo]

the hosts need to be in the range of the access point, and the access point needs to be in the range of the hosts

not that i actually know how it works, but i don't see how it could work otherwise

[hawthorne]

the hosts need to be in the range of the access point, and the access point needs to be in the range of the hosts

not that i actually know how it works, but i don't see how it could work otherwise

So is it the third picture, sorta curious myself.

[prolemur]

@MG2R I was wondering if you could field this presumably simple wireless networking question that it appears more than just I have

[MG2R]

It's a combination of both. Since the wireless communication happens in both directions, both stations must have ample power to reach the other while transmitting.

[prolemur]

It's a combination of both. Since the wireless communication happens in both directions, both stations must have ample power to reach the other while transmitting.

Thanks that is kind of what I was thinking. Making it useless if you were already at the limits of your routers wireless range to get a new wireless network card to get better range.

But usually getting a more powerfull wireless network card will help as most routers have stronger antennas than wireless cards.

[MG2R]

But usually getting a more powerfull wireless network card will help as most routers have stronger antennas than wireless cards.

pretty much. Plus, you can sometimes alter routers to send out a more powerful signal.

[prolemur]

pretty much. Plus, you can sometimes alter routers to send out a more powerful signal.

Ya I've heard of that and I'll try boosting the power of my linksys ae4500 after I flash it with dd-wrt

[MG2R]

Better route to go would still be cable or powerline, though.

[prolemur]

Better route to go would still be cable or powerline, though.

Yes just for my phone, the rest of my family is on wireless

[tomsliwowski]

If you guys are curious about how wifi works on a technical level with some security stuff thrown in, Hak5 does a good job in their wifi from the ground up series. Part 1 is here: 

[prolemur]

If you guys are curious about how wifi works on a technical level with some security stuff thrown in, Hak5 does a good job in their wifi from the ground up series. Part 1 is here:

I will definitely give that a look tonight, thanks.