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How to NOT fix your Home Networking Problems

Bad Solutions to Fixing WiFi performance issues:
Generally, to improve network performance you'll want to simplify your network.  The simpler the network, the fewer the bottlenecks.  Easy, eh?  That's why all my home installations are consist of a single quality WiFi router plugged into a standard modem.  If performance is poor, then it's possible to troubleshoot.

The retail industry loves to sell goods and services.  This is almost always the wrong approach, as additional network gear and additional services are just going to make for a more complex network. 

So, without further ado, here are some DUMB IDEAS for improving your network:


DUMB IDEA: Extenders and Mesh networks.  They use a lot of radio spectrum, ultimately adding a lot of latency and negatively impacting overall performance.

DUMB IDEA: Buying a "fast" router.  These are mostly gimmicks.  Client devices are the bottleneck.  A "faster" router isn't going to speed anything up, as clients (like your phone and laptop and chromecast, etc) determine the network speed.   These gimmick routers aren't WiFi certified for good reason.  Even famous name brands sell some of these junkers. Ignore the "5 star" reviews.

DUMB IDEA: Calling the Cable TV company and asking for higher speeds.  Forget that idea.  It is very likely that you aren't even beginning to use what you have.  It's like paying for a 1000 MPH highway when your car can only go 150 MPH.

DUMB IDEA: Using an alternative DNS.  There are some good reasons to use an alternative DNS, but performance is not one of them.  Your default locally-offered DNS is going to have lower latency, and therefore faster performance.

DUMB IDEA: Using wide channels.  Wide channels can be fast when they're empty, but in the real world there are no empty channels. Wide channels are impacted by significantly more noise, ultimately slowing down performance.

DUMB IDEA: Using any security mode other than WPA2/AES or WPA3.  Other modes will slow down communications.  And of course no security will result in abuse.

DUMB IDEA: Buying a "fast" modem.  Even modems from 2010 are far faster than most devices can deal with.

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