I would like to offer a tip that might prove useful to all of you with laptops: If you CAN plug your laptop into a hardwired network drop, then DO. You will see greatly increased speed. Why? Well, first of all, the hardwired network runs at 100 megabytes per second (mbps), whereas the wireless only runs at 56 mbps. This is simply the lmits of wireless technology at the present time. And to make matters worse, you share this 56 mbps with anyone else who is attached to the same wireless access point. There are many wireless access point scattered throughout your school, and each one can handle 30 devices connected to it. So if you are in an area by yourself, or at a time when you are the only one connected, you get the entire 56 mbps. But if another person is connected as well, you share it and each of you gets 28 mbps. Three people connected drops down to 28.6 mbps each, and so on. Since the access point can handle 30 computers connected at a time, if it is at capacity each user has only 1.8 mbps at his or her disposal. 

 

But a hardwired network connection doesn't have such limitations, it is much more robust and you get full speed all the time. Wireless is handy, but not better. So again, if you CAN, DO. I hope this tip proves helpful.


KEP