What are WiFi "channels" and why should I care?

I keep seeing references to these channels but I thought that only the frequency ranges were important.

x509 said:

I keep seeing references to these channels but I thought that only the frequency ranges were important.

Wifi Channels are just like TV Channels appear on an Oscilloscope. They are a square waveform that the ends can overlap other bands. The problem that you run into is congestion, just like if you were in a huge market area, say NYC or Chicago and cannot tune in a low strength channel, because a higher strength channel is causing you to not be able to tune it in.

I use Channels 1 & 5 for my Wireless N Access Point that is 2.4 GHz. Cisco has a lot of good networking stuff, along with some of the other websites that get into the meat and potatoes about it.

gpstoloff said:

Within the same frequency band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, etc.), each band is segmented into a number of channels, dependent on the band standard (802.11n, .11ac, etc.). For example, the 2.4 GHz band in the US is segmented into 11 channels.

You, as the admin of your own router, can select to use the default channel set up by your manufacturer -- or you can change it, to prevent easier detection by "wargamers" or to reduce interference. (Consider: if you live in a large multi-family dwelling unit, you could have tens of routers set to the default channel, all colliding for the same channel.)

So are you saying that I should change the default on my router to something else than the manufacturer's setting? That is, if my cable modem allows me to do that, and I'd have to check.

Yes always change the channel setting for "Out of the box", since it could be set to be on a congested channel. inSSIDer has always been a go to for everyone. It is no longer free, so you would have to pay for it, or try one of the other free choices out there. You can get around extra software, by opening up a Command Window and enter "netsh wlan show all" (do not use the quotes, they are just there to make the command stand out).

You will be able to see signal strength of A/P's around you and what channels that they are set to.

I always try to stay at the low channels, because some devices have poorly designed chips for wifi in them. They tend to not like the higher channels. Plus where I live, Channels 1-5 have hardly anyone using them.