It may not be obvious at first, but what you do when you’re in your office, classroom, or walking around campus can affect WiFi performance for those around you. Learn how you can improve your own (and everyone's) WiFi experience on campus with some best practices.
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Choose your connections wisely
- Use hillspot - It is Stonehill's secure wireless network available on campus. The guest network is an unsecured, limited network. It should only be used by visitors to the College who do not have Stonehill credentials or devices that cannot use hillspot secure network.
- Use wired (ethernet) connections when possible especially for gaming devices and streaming media devices – All things being equal, wired connections are always faster and more stable than WiFi. Plus, using a wired connection frees up space on hillspot for others who need it.
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Don't send mixed signals - WiFi networks use the same radio frequencies as many electronic devices, which may cause interference and impact its performance.
- Don't use personal WiFi routers or WiFi range extenders or personal hotspots on campus. These are prohibited on campus as they cause interference that inhibit WiFi for others nearby.
- Don't use direct wifi printing on printers or other direct wifi connect devices as this broadcasts a wireless network that will cause interference, Please disable all direct connect features on devices to prevent interference.
- Don't use wireless printers in wireless mode – wireless printing will not work on the campus network so please make sure to use a USB cable to connect your printer and turn off wireless mode and direct wireless printing on the printer to prevent interference.
WiFi signals can be negatively affected by a surprising number of everyday devices. Microwave ovens, wireless printers, wireless audio speakers, wireless clocks, projectors, and gaming console controllers all use the same spectrum as the campus WiFi network and can interfere with your ability to receive the strongest signal to your device.
What causes interference? How big of a problem is this really?
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Device
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Impact
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Range
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Suggested Solution
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Microwave Ovens
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Very Severe
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Short
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Keep microwaves away from computers.
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Wireless Routers and Hotspots
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Severe
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Very Long
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You are not allowed to use a wireless router or a hotspot on campus.
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Wireless Cameras & Projectors
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Severe
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Very Long
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Disable wireless. Use wired devices/connections.
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Wireless Casting Media Players
(Apple TV, Chromecast, etc.)
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Severe
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Long
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Disable device’s wireless, connect via cables.
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Wireless Printers
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Severe
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Medium
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Unplug the printer when not in use. Disable wireless. Connect directly via USB cable.
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Wireless Speakers
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Severe
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Medium
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Use wired speakers.
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Wireless Gaming Controllers
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Severe
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Short
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Keep devices powered off when not in use.
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