Internet connection speed

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newyorkpaulie · #1 Post by **newyorkpaulie** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:33 am

I have two T23s running through an ActionTec router (DSL). One is connected via cable, the other uses an internal wireless hookup. The cable-connected one has a reported speed of 100Mbps and the wireless hookup shows a speed of only 11Mbps. Why the big difference? I will try two things: connecting the second one via cable (they are both in the same room) and using a PCMCIA card. The first PC is on a desk within 2 feet of the router, so a cable is no prob, but the second one is on the other side of the room. Anyone have any thoughts? I will make my tests and report what I find, but I was hoping someone might shed some light. Thanks!

jronald · #2 Post by **jronald** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:06 am

Many things effect wireless speed
It will always be slower
Im betting your wireless card is is the kink in the network
There are 2 speeds (at least 2 speeds)

Ron

#3 Post by **Harryc** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:17 am

The Ethernet connection is 10/100Mbps and the WiFi connection is probably via an 802.11b card, which is 11Mbps. On that machine the top wireless speed would be obtained using an 802.11g card, which would approach (but never quite reach) 54Mbps.

"On home networks, keep in mind that the performance of an Internet connection is often the limiting factor in network speed. Even though files can be shared on a wireless LAN at speeds of 5 or 20 Mbps, wireless clients will still connect to the Internet at the speed typically offered by Internet Service Providers, usually less than 1 Mbps."

Reference - http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wire ... sspeed.htm

nikki605 · #4 Post by **nikki605** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:25 am

I am running my T21 also through and Actiontec router, provided by Verizon FiOS. This is my speed result running wired:

This is my speed result running wireless (note the higher ping time) using an old Netgear 802.11g PCMCIA card:

I have a 10/2Mbps internet connection. My T21 is probably less than 10 feet from the router but I don't have to move very far out of the room before the wireless speed starts to drop off.

EDIT: As Harry stated, it sounds like you are using an 802.11b wireless card which is only rated at 11Mbps for the LAN, whereas the 802.11g is rated at 54Mbps.

newyorkpaulie · #5 Post by **newyorkpaulie** » Sat May 30, 2009 11:12 am

I disabled the internal wireless and plugged in a PCMCIA card (D-Link) and now am getting 54Mbps. I think I can actually see an improvement in speed. Next step is to cable up and see what that does.
I'm adding this as an edit: The direct cable hookup does indeed show a 100Mbps speed and there is no doubt an big speed increase.

#6 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:14 pm

Don't kid yourself, that 100Mbps is a standard value that will show on any wired connection, it's the max. port speed.
The real speed will be quite a bit lower on internet traffic.
You'll only get the 100Mbps during e.g. file transfers from one PC to another.

newyorkpaulie · #7 Post by **newyorkpaulie** » Sat May 30, 2009 2:02 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:Don't kid yourself, that 100Mbps is a standard value that will show on any wired connection, it's the max. port speed.
The real speed will be quite a bit lower on internet traffic.
You'll only get the 100Mbps during e.g. file transfers from one PC to another.

Can you suggest a speed-checker? I use Network Magic which has software to "Test Internet Speed", but maybe you can suggest another one?

#8 Post by **Harryc** » Sat May 30, 2009 2:10 pm

Use Speakeasy New York..
http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

#9 Post by **rkawakami** » Sat May 30, 2009 2:27 pm

Or try dslreports.com: http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest?java=1

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