When I installed FC4 on my new work computer, I upgraded the firmware of my USR 8054 to fix a perceived problem with dropped connections. I haven't tested the new firmware, rev. 1.67b44, to see whether it fixes that problem. I notice, however, that the new firmware seems to introduce a new problem: when I'm in bed, I can't use the WiFi connection on my Pocket PC. This is a problem for two reasons. First, I want good coverage so WiFiFoFum running on my HP iPAQ 6315.
Here are the results:
| Location | RSSI | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.21h | 1.64b34 | 1.67b44 | |
| office | -35 | -35 | -35 |
| third floor bedroom | -52 | -54 | -50 |
| third floor bathroom | -70 | -70 | -69 |
| second floor bathroom | -90 | -90 | -90 |
| kitchen | -90 | -90 | -90 |
| dining room | -66 | -66 | -70 |
| second floor bedroom | -69 | -69 | -68 |
| living room | -57 | -55 | -55 |
| art studio | -65 | -54 | -60 |
| first floor front door | -67 | -73 | -68 |
| first floor back door | -90 | -90 | -90 |
| basement | -90 | -70 | -69 |
My hypothesis was completely wrong. In fact, the oldest firmware, 1.21h, introduced a new dead spot that the newer firmwares did not experience. When WiFoFoFum reports -90 RSSI, it means that it sees the ESSID, but the signal is very weak. I have to conclude that the newer firmwares are better, using their default settings. I will use the latest firmware, 1.67b44.
These results really point out that I need either a more powerful access point or WiFi repeaters throughout the house. I will investigate these ideas later.
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