Question about improving wi-fi speeds

[sjh953]

I was just reading the following PC World story about QoS, and optimizing wi-fi speeds:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,139863/article.html

I have a T42p [2373-Q1U] which, I believe, has the highly regarded Atheros card. I'm not having trouble with my connection -- I just want it faster.

In Access Connections, I have the "Enable QoS" checkbox checked under Advanced Configuration.

HOWEVER, the DLink DI-524 router I'm using doesn't seem to have QoS, at least I can't find any reference to it in the config windows.

Does this mean I don't have QoS -- and if not, does it matter? I used Skype occasionally, but have to connect the wired LAN to make it acceptable.

Does anyone have any idea what kind of increase in wi-fi speeds I might see if I upgraded to a router which has QoS? Is it worth the trouble?

Thanks for your help.

[aaa]

This sounds like it doesn't apply to wireless, but to the internet connection. I.e. somebody would use this if even their wired connection wasn't working well. Since your wired connection is working well, I don't think it applies.

I think the most effective thing you can do is physically rearranging things, like where the router is or where you use your laptop. Even small rearrangements can make a big difference.
Or you can try different channels on the router.

[sjh953]

Thanks aaa for your response.

As for my set-up, I don't think I'm having an actual problem. In Access Connections, my Signal Strength is 100% at 54 mbps, Signal Quality is "excellent".

From the article, I got the impression that QoS might be some kind of "missing link" that I'm missing. My connection might be as good as I can get with the DI-524, but if I had a router with QoS it would be better -- especially since the Thinkpad has QoS built-in already.

Maybe I'm on the wrong track, but it sounded like something worth investigating.

[Part of my problem may be that prior to getting the T42p, I hadn't used laptops and/or wireless at all. I was accustomed to wired connections, and gigabit on my desktop. Now that I've put in time with the Tpad, I HATE using the desktop -- noisy!! anchored to a table!! -- but I miss the speed. I'm just trying to reclaim as much as possible. If a new router would help, so be it.]

[dash7540]

Personally I don't think you'd get much of an increase, if at all, with a new QoS router. The only way to dramatically get a boost is using a draft-N router and adapter, but even then, it's barely comparable to wired 100BaseT, let alone Gigabit.

SmallNetBuilder's Wireless section http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/86/106/ has lots of tips and info on optimizing and setting up wireless connections.

[sjh953]

Thanks dash7540 for that link. I've got a lot to learn.

While you were posting, I was over at newegg investigating my options. What I found is the DLink DIR-625 router and DWA-642 card. Both are draft-n and made to be used together.

My new question is whether or not my T42p has the "32-bit Cardbus Slot" required for the DWA-642 card. I went to the IBM page for my machine, and all it said was that I have a "PC Card" slot. I have no idea how to find out whether it's 32-bit or not. [I'm not even sure if a Cardbus Slot is the same as a PC card slot.]

Somehow I have a feeling I'm asking too much from a machine that's using 2004 technology.

Thanks everyone for your help.

[aaa]

Well, in this case 2004 technology is a good thing, because newer machines ditched Cardbus/PC Cards. Yes, your machine has it.

[bill bolton]

My new question is whether or not my T42p has the "32-bit Cardbus Slot" required for the DWA-642 card.

It does.

At this point in time I wouldn't recommend buying draft-N kit unless you really need it and are prepared to regard the investment as a throw away. IMO, there is still somewhat too much wiggle room in the Draft 2 spec in terms of ensuring that you will be able to get full 802.11n functionality (once it is a ratified standard) from any particular draft 2 compliant kit.

Cheers,

Bill B.