Wireless Routers and Cable Modems - Speed differences

Feb 22, 2005 5 Replies

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naftali 21 years ago

Hi: I have a Motorola Surfboard Cable Modem and a NetGear MR814 Wireless Router (802.11b) I also use a Compaq Laptop with built in wireless (802.11g)

When my computer is connected directly to the modem, I get around

650kb/sec download, but through the router only around 200

Any idea what might be the issue here? I am only 20 feet from the router and I tried it from 2 feet away.

Is it some kind of incompatibility between the g and b protocols? I upgraded the firmware on the router. I also tried to see what the download is at a hot spot, but the speeds there are slow, either through too many users or capping. I also tried to see what the downloads are at quiet times, say 4:30AM with no improvement.

Thanks,

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Dave C. 21 years ago

OK, if 802.11b is the connection speed, then your theoretical maximum download speed would be just over 100kb/second. Most 802.11g equipment is backward-compatible with 802.11b equipment. So there is probably no incompatibility issue here. To me, it looks like everything is working great, in fact. -Dave

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Dave C. 21 years ago

Well, I myself have seen download speeds higher than 200Kb/s on an 802.11b connection. With 11Mb/s connection speed, I'm not sure HOW that happens. (You're right, it doesn't compute.) But then who is going to complain about a connection that is too fast? :) I know some wi-fi manufacturers use various tricks to speed up wireless connections beyond standard specifications. I'm betting that some "tweaking" by the router manufacturer is responsible. :)

In any case, the OP has nothing to complain about. All is working fine, it would seem. -Dave

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Warren 21 years ago

Non-duplex connection, perhaps?

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Bill M. 21 years ago

You probably mean 100 KB/second. Big difference between bits and bytes.

Except for the fact that throughput apparently drops by 2/3, from

650-something to 200-something, when the router is in the data path. Something seems to be up with that router. MTU setting? Firmware?

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Henry 21 years ago

Erm..."It does not compute."

Your theoretical maximum says 100kb/s for 11b. Remember chains and weakest links--or, I suppose 'channels and bottlenecks' would be better? He's using an 11b router, so your 100kb/s theoretical should apply to him. But he's actually getting 200kb/s! Howzat?

cheers,

Henry

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