WFH Optimizations — The budget based Indian version
Like it or hate it, WFH is here to stay. Decided to pen a few of my experiences and tips in enhancing my WFH environment.
80% of this story is purely technical oriented and attempts to address issues like “zoom call freezes after x amount of time” or “my back, my back, my damn back” :)
Divided into sections Internet Optimization, Eye n Back care, Audio Video & other Peripherals.
Remember, this is the budget based Indian version. Recommendations lean towards moderately priced artifacts with an emphasis on “Value for Money”.
Internet Optimization
I use Airtel broadband, and at times suffered from zoom calls freezing at the “apt” times. My Plan is the Rs. 1149 — 300 Mbps unlimited one. Airtel service in BLR is quite good.
- Upgrade your router : Call your ISP and ask for a free router upgrade. My Old Wifi router was this : TOTO Link + an ADSL modem
and my new router is this Nokia ONT GPON (G2425G-A) dual band AC1200 wifi i.e. N300+AC800
The new router has a much better 5 ghz range than my previous router. The 5 ghz band (300 mbps for me) gives you higher speeds than the 2.4 ghz band (50 mbps for me), however, its wifi coverage area is less i.e. if your router is near your laptop choose the 5 ghz band, else choose the 2.4 ghz band.
Tip : Remember to plead, beg and cry to retain your old WIFI router from your ISP provider…will explain soon, why this is very useful.
2. Check if your fiber optics Rx Signal Level is correct (should be between -18 to -25)
Login to your router (mostly 192.168.1.1, u/p=admin/admin) . Mine was -32 and my ISP Airtel had to change the fiber optics wire from their junction box to my router.
The TX (transmit) optical power refers to the output optical power of the transceiver at the transmitting end, and the RX (receive) optical power means the input optical power at the receiving end. Both of them are important parameters that affect the signal transmission distance.
3. Get Cat6 wiring done : Got an electrician to pull two cat6 wires from my router to my probable places of work. This needs two people, which typically cost 800 for service and Rs.15 per meter for Cat6 Cables.
Tip : Remember to also get Cat6 Sockets (cost Rs. 350)and Gigabit devices (in my case, I had to get a Cat6, usb 2, VGA to USB C adapter) as i have a Lenovo Yoga 920 personal laptop which does supports high speeds (my work one — Dell does not support gigabit speeds)
- As they say in Networking, “You are as fast as your slowest link”.
Tips to increase Speed (I did not do this)
Change Channel — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufMNDMlHpC0
Change MCU — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK2PHpKI9M4
4. Use the Old WIFI Router as a fast Access Point : If your Cat6 cabling is done, you can now connect the New Router to the Old Router using the LAN ports on both the routers. Ensure that you turn off DHCP on your old Router.
Eye n Back care
- Use a Low Blue light based Monitor : I bought this BenQ one from Amazon for around Rs. 9500
2. Use Blue Violet Filtered Glasses (if you use glasses) — The Crizal Prevencia ones are recommended and typically cost around Rs. 5000
3. Use a Chair with a good back rest, I am sure there are many good ones out there, mine was a budget oriented one, found here on amazon for Rs. 4500
Audio, Video & other peripherals
- KVM Switch : Since i use two laptops , my personal one is Lenovo Yoga 920 and the office one is Dell, i need to quickly switch(Monitor, Keyboard & Mouse) between the two Laptops. A KVM Switch enables you to quickly do so. I purchased the Aten 2 Port Switch which costs around Rs. 2195.
- For audio I use a Wireless bluetooth device : Candy Tech (Rs. 870)
3. Webcam — I occasionally use Zebronics (Rs. 1770)since my Personal laptop has an inbuilt Webcam. Ensure you get a Full HD one with white balance correction.
4. Desk Lamp — for the few seconds it takes for your power backup takes to kick in. Got this free due to a training, I gave at work.
5. Power Backup for your router : I purchased the Resonate RouterUPS for Rs. 1999, which give a 4 hour power backup. Even thought my apartment has a power backup, it takes 10 seconds to kick in, and this is a real life saver for those 10 seconds.
6. Wireless keyboard and Mouse : Got mine from work — but i hear the Logitech MK 215 is a good deal for Rs. 1299
My final work environment looks like this and yes, I now get a speed of 360 Mbps (fast.com), my ISP plan is for 300 mbps. Please comment, if you have anymore tips on this subject.
