Set up wireless networking solution for small office (<30 people)?

I have one wireless router (Linksys E2500) that's currently providing wifi for ~18 people on laptops, plus some of their devices (e.g. tablets). The network has gotten slow lately, and we're pretty sure it's due to wireless congestion as plugging in directly to the router eliminates all latency issues.

We have a few options as we see it:

Upgrade the router to something more robust/industrial
Get a separate wireless access point, plug it into the router, and instruct some of the people to connect directly to that
Wire the office with ethernet cable along the walls (this is less desirable, especially since we aren't sure how much longer we're going to be in this space)

What would you recommend?

One thing we already tried is disabling the 2.4ghz spectrum, so only 5ghz remained, but then our Windows users were unable to see the network's SSID.

EDIT: So what we ended up doing was getting a new, beefier router (the E4200) and plugging the internet connection directly into that. Then we plugged the older router (the E2500) into one of the ports on the E4200, changed the gateway, and put it up with a different SSID. Now half the people in our office connect to the old one, and half connect to the new one, and our connection issues are resolved.. for now.

Zack Burt

Posted 2012-01-04T02:57:12.967

Reputation: 321

If it turns out to b a congestion issue depending on laptop configurations, a dual-radio IEEE 802.11n router could help. Just tell everyone who can see the 5 GHz access point to move to it, it should ease the congestion on 2.4 GHz, because the 5 GHz channels don't overlap. – AndrejaKo – 2012-01-04T03:46:51.900

try doing cell formation, and have a wired backbone across the APs. – Vineet Menon – 2012-01-04T04:55:01.997

Answers

Before you go buying new equipment check the air waves around you. If you are on the wrong channel the frequency you are using just might be saturated. Channels 1, 6, and 11 have the least amount of over frequency overlap, so choose one of them if one is open and available.

ubiquibacon

Posted 2012-01-04T02:57:12.967

Reputation: 7 287

This is very much a case by case scenario question but in your particular case it sounds like upgrading to a more capable router is the best solution. I would be hesitant to introduce a new wireless access point if it's unnecessary (which given the alternative option I'd say is the case here) and it sounds like wiring into the router directly brings a host of other issues for you which you'd much rather avoid.

I can't say I know which router would be best for you but I started doing some research about this and found the following which may be of use to you: http://www.cnet.com.au/top-10-wireless-modemrouters-339288569.htm#image0

Good luck!

Michael A

Posted 2012-01-04T02:57:12.967

Reputation: 173