VoIP Tech Chat

Got iPad?

As newspapers (what are those?), media outlets, and even tv sitcom’s have reported, this past weekend Apple’s iPad hit the shelves to every Apple fanboy’s and gadget aficionado’s delight. Come Monday, we now have our first reported issues.

Several users and news organizations report experiencing a much smaller wifi range when using the iPad compared to any other wifi device. Here’s an account from TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington:

Count me in as someone who’s having iPad Wifi issues as well. The device works fine near the router, but on the other side of the house, nada. But my Macbook pro and my Nexus One and other various devices I’ve brought into the house pick up wifi just fine in that area.

Early Macbook Air users complained of Wifi issues, too. I eventually abandoned the computer because the only place Wifi worked was in the Apple store, even though I was using Apple networking equipment at home.

So, are you one of the estimated 700,000 people who purchased an iPad this weekend? Are you experiencing any issues with wifi signal?

Suggested Reading

• Trouble In Paradise: iPad Users Complain Of Wifi Issues (TechCrunch)
• Report: Wi-Fi issues plague iPad owners (TG Daily)
• Apple iPad owners report Wi-Fi connection issues (Apple Insider)
• iPad Fail: Users Experiencing Issues (PC World)

Linksys WRT310N Wireless N Router

So in July, Fred purchased a new wireless router (Linksys WRT310N) for use with Comcast’s high speed internet. Having had used Linksys routers with VoIP for many years, Fred remained confident that the new model would perform nothing less than “awesomely.” Bottom Line: Fred was wrong.

When first installed, the Linksys performed well. Speed tests indicated downloads of 6 – 8 MBs and the wireless N router provided excellent range. Transfer speeds between wireless devices were excellent, VoIP devices performed well, and the 4 ethernet ports allowed non-wireless devices to integrate nicely.

Sometime around October, the home network started to act less that satisfactorily. The internet would randomly become accessible to only certain devices, the wireless signal would randomly “die,” and most annoyingly, the speed of the Internet became significantly slower (as in less than 1MB down and and around 1MB up).

As with most networking issues, the problems can be attributed to many sources. With the exception of Internet speed, most problems would immediately be resolved after rebooting the Linksys router. At first, Fred incorrectly thought that Comcast was to blame for the slow speeds… and yes, it was an incorrect thought. To test this, the modem was connected directly to a device; bypassing the Linksys. Download speeds topped 15MB.

Apple Airport Extreme

After switching back and forth and reproducing results consistently, the connection speed through the Linksys never topped more 1.5MB down. No matter what settings were modified, the speed simply did not increase.

Enter the Apple Airport Extreme (imagine Fred really emphasizing “Extreme,” kind of like Dan Cortese from MTV Sports… and yes it’s an early 90’s reference). With the exception of the iPhone, Fred has been very happy with Apple products. Although the Airport Extreme has only 3 ethernet ports, the router does have a USB port and built in support for USB printing and/or shared drives (with a USB hub, you can do both). The Linksys does not natively support printing or shared hard drives.

Set-up was simple, although different than the Linksys. And, all techs know, different is never a day in the park. That being said, very simple, very quick, and up and running within 5 minutes. Connecting an ethernet switch to one of the Airport’s ethernet ports allowed additional wired devices to connect at Gigabit speed.

Oh, the download? The Linksys WRT310N would hit the wall at 1.5MB. The Airport Extreme? 20MB down, 3MB up.

Speed Test from SpeakEasy.net

CNet reports a new Mac Trojan that garners amazing control of one’s Mac OS X system. The trojan affects users of Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5.

Most likely gaining access from a downloaded program, the AppleScript trojan can open ports in firewalls, log keystrokes, take pictures with the built in camera, and enable file sharing. Ouch.

You don’t see many trojans for the mac, but when they do appear they’re pretty powerful. And yes, the use of garner is our way of giving props to Mr. Affleck.