A weak wireless signal is a common conundrum, experienced by businesses, government agencies and residences small and large. A once strong signal can get weak as the result of a recent expansion, relocation, interference or other factors. What, then, can folks do to improve the performance of their wireless networks?

The options range from simple to complex, with costs commensurate to the intricacy of the solution. More complex solutions allow for greater flexibility, while simpler solutions might hinder application and require compromise on the part of the user community.

One of the simplest solutions to a single router wireless network is to increase antenna strength. Many wireless routers have a detachable antenna that allows for the installation of a stronger antenna. Given the low price point of wireless routers without a detachable antenna, one also might consider simply replacing the wireless router with a unit with a stronger antenna.

Another option to increase signal strength is the use of a Wi-Fi extender. Be careful, though: Wi-Fi extenders can be finicky. Try to use the same brand of extender as your main router. Vendors promise interoperability, but in practice this is not always true.

Note that a Wi-Fi extender can result in reduced performance. This is because the connection back to the wired network goes across two wireless segments, one from the computer to the extender, and the second from the extender back to the main router.

Furthermore, most Wi-Fi extenders actually present themselves as a separate network. So the user will have to manually switch from the main Wi-Fi network to the extended Wi-Fi network if/when the signal gets weak or drops. This will affect streaming applications, such as Skype or FaceTime.

If a weak signal is due to obstructions that are impenetrable to a wireless signal, such as concrete walls or floors, then neither a stronger antenna nor an extender will do any good. An office that occupies two floors of a high-rise building is a good example of such a scenario. In such cases an additional wireless device must be connected via hard wire to the main network.

This additional wireless device might come in the form of a wireless access point, or WAP, or another wireless router. Many wireless routers support additional WAPs for this very reason. Again, sticking with the same brand for wireless routers and WAPs will make your network much easier to configure.

The advantage of a WAP over another router is simple. A WAP will be on the same network, so if you move from one wireless device to another, the user does not need to manually disconnect and reconnect. Streaming applications should work just fine.

This type of configuration, however, supports only a couple of WAPs. Much more than that, and you need to play with the big boys. A couple of years ago this meant the installation of a wireless LAN controller on the network, which would control the operation of multiple WAPs. This type of configuration, while highly functional, flexible and scalable, is also pricey.

The introduction of the “controllerless” wireless network provides a cloud-based alternative. Controllerless networks support multiple WAPs with similar function at a lower entry price and are easier to deploy. The catch is that all WAPs are controlled via a cloud-based service, which requires a paid subscription. Controllerless solutions are now available from all major networking vendors, with the most popular being Cisco, Aerohive and Hewlett-Packard (with its recent acquisition of Aruba).

John Agsalud is an IT expert with more than 25 years of information technology experience in Hawaii and around the world. He can be reached at johnagsalud@yahoo.com.