download speed slower via belkin 802.11b router

Yep. The maximum speeds for the various wireless modes are:

This is stolen from an Atheros PDF at:

ros_range_whitepaper.pdf with some additions and corrections by me.

Non-overlapping Modulation Max Max Max Channels ------- | Link TCP UDP | | | | |

802.11b 3 CCK 11 5.9 7.1 802.11g (with 802.11b) 3 OFDM/CCK 54 14.4 19.5 802.11g only 3 OFDM 54 24.4 30.5 802.11g turbo 1 OFDM 108 42.9 54.8 802.11a 13 OFDM 54 24.4 30.5 802.11a turbo 6 OFDM 108 42.9 54.8

Note that 802.11b has a maximum TCP thruput of about 5.9Mbits/sec with an 11Mbit/sec association. More commonly, the speed is about

4-5Mbits/sec.

When you connect directly to an ethernet LAN port, you're either going at 10Mbits/sec or 100Mbits/sec, half or full duplex. No way I can tell from here with the minimal information you supplied. My guess is you're connected at 100baseT-FDX, but are limited to 10Mbits/sec thruput but whatever you're using for benchmarking.

If you want to persue such benchmarks, use a local machine, not over a cable modem or DSL modem. Make sure the machines inolved have sufficient horsepower to sustain a high traffic rate. Use IPerf for benchmarks:

802.11b is slower.

Barry ===== Home page