Wireless Network Issues

We can make your WiFi reliable and fast

Understanding Wi-Fi problems is straightforward if you think about the Physics!

Look at the drawing:

There is a laptop using Wi-Fi to connect to a router and then to the internet.

The direct signal (blue arrow) will give a great signal.

Now remember that you have lots of computers and the router has to transmit in every direction, not just direct to your PC.

If somebody puts a reflective item close by, for instance a filing cabinet, it might cause a second reflected signal (Orange arrow) that is also received by the PC.
The reflection travels further (two sides of a triangle) and so arrives later.

If you look at the graph, you can see that the later reflected signal is going upwards (or more positive) when the direct signal is going downwards (or more negative).

The two interfere to make a common weaker signal at the PC.

Wi-Fi can bounce off all sorts of surfaces. These include energy efficient glass, cookers, radiators, filing cabinets, smooth walls and even ponds or fish tanks!

The important thing to remember is that Reflections = Poor Wi-Fi!

Now consider that the reflection could be your neighbours Wi-Fi! Just by having two routers in adjacent buildings you can cause poor Wi-Fi!

The solutions are often simple:

  • Turn down power (not turn it up). This stops reflections. It also stops you reaching the neighbours.
  • Get high quality routers and Wi-Fi.
  • Wire a Wi-Fi unit in each important area (office, front room etc.) and keep power low. Short distances with low power is better than a central transmitter with lots of power!

Of course, there is far more to the physics and there can be lots more questions;

  • What Frequency band (5G or 2.4G)?
  • Will the phones and Microwave interfere?
  • Will the antenna focus the power in my office or the adjacent one?

Don’t be frightened, you simply need to know that Wi-Fi needs setting up properly if you want reliability.

Andisa have invested in training and equipment so that we can measure and fix your Wireless problems!

The process is simple and normally involves a coffee with one of our engineers.

How can I move from room to room without needing to reconnect all the time?

WiFi networks are identified by a name or SSID. Computers try to connect to the transmitter with the strongest signal strength.
If two adjacent WiFi networks have the same name then a computer will get confused!
This means that its more difficult to add multiple WiFi units and still be able to move from room to room.
In a public building with lots of rooms this is more complex.

The solution is to install a WiFi transmitter that is designed to “Cluster”. Clustering means that several WiFi Access points are installed and configured so they monitor each other. As one causes interference, it is instructed to reduce its power. If a blind spot is detected the the adjacent transmitters increase power.
As a computer roams, or moves from one room to another, the access points automatically reconfigure so the SSID can be followed.
The end result is a network where people can move from room to room without losing signal!

Clustering Access points start at £120. Call 01423290029 and speak to Andy to discuss.

Can I link buildings together using WiFi?

Many businesses are expanding into adjacent buildings. Some are spread across a wide area often across fields and want to link remote buildings. With recent innovations, it is possible to link buildings using WiFi.

There are many challenges;
Distance: The further you try to link the more powerful a transmitter you need. The law sets the maximum transmission power but you can compensate with a high gain antenna. We have tested links over 20km and successfully achieved speeds in excess of 60Mb/s! To do this reliably you need a transmitter like the Mikrotik SXT range with 16dB antenna.

Cost: There are models designed to give much higher rates or work over much longer distances however the MikroTik SXT 5AC is affordable and full of features. The SXT range starts at £121 each including a basic configuration.

Optimisation: The built-in router means that you can optimise the link so that only necessary traffic is sent across the link.

Management: It has built in network management, VLAN and DHCP settings so the computers at the remote sites can be automatically configured and manged.

Simplicity: Clearly you would be better to use the services of a specialist such as Andisa to install the system but there is also a built-in web page that allows you to set a basic system up yourself.

Call 01423290029 and speak to Andy to discuss.

What Our Customers Say

  • We spent the last few days desperately installing generators for our clients in Scotland - trying to get ready for the XMAS period amongst strikes and power cuts.
    If only you provided generators, then power would be as reliable as the network you set up for us. That never goes wrong - if a line fails the system automatically connects to the spare line and our customers keep running! Well done.
    You made a real difference to our business, because you stopped us getting a massive surge of calls each time there was a line fault.

    Dave Short
  • Hi,

    Hope your week is going well so far.

    We are just about caught up from Friday 😊 I wanted to drop a message to say thank you for jumping on this so quickly last week.

    Your care and attention was greatly appreciated and you certainly made me feel calmer.

    Kind regards, HAYLEY

    Hayley -
  • "My company just couldn't cope without you guys, everything is so simple with you around. In fact it seems beyond other suppliers to set up a network so its reliable".

    When we asked why the client simply said "because I just want it to work and you guys are the only people who have been able to get us to that state".

    Robin -
  • Andisa have just completed a design and build project to give us a new network capable of expanding to man racks so that we can expand our streaming monitoring business.

    All I can say about the router they sent us is: it was the smoothest transition I've ever had!

    I have been involved in many upgrades over the years but this build and swap out was faultless. Andisa visited for twice. Once to audit / research and once to install the new kit. They agreed the outcomes at the start of the project, reviewed each day and ultimately delivered exactly what they promised. And as I said, it was the smoothest transition I have ever had!

    Ryan Fife -
  • Hi, I just wanted to say a big thankyou to the Andisa team.
    From the moment we told you we were moving office Andisa just helped. Every question got right to the issue and it all meant that the move itself was smooth.

    Once we were moved, Paolo and Tim went round every desk and checked with our team to make sure they were fully operational. Phones, PC's Wifi, Laptops and printers were all 100%. Even the photocopier and franking machine was back on line.

    We cant thank you guys enough.

    Pippa Fisher -