Belkin N1 + VM Broadband XL = slow

[apuk2004]

Hi all,

Just ditched ADSL for Cable mainly due to my BT phoneline not being able to handle above 2mb.

When I phoned VM they offered me (up to) 20mb for same price as 4mb which seemed too good to miss.

Got connected this AM and my first speedtest (via the modem) was good, around 18mbps.

However this evening, on the way home from work, I bought a belkin N1 router and connected it to the VM modem and i get poor speeds via wireless.

Heres some results...

*******************
WIRELESS CONNECTION (HP laptop Broadcom 802.11a/b/g WLAN)
*******************

TEST #1

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:17:55 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 1234 ms = 829.8 KB/sec, approx 6838 Kbps, 6.68 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 1266 ms = 808.8 KB/sec, approx 6665 Kbps, 6.51 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 1218 ms = 840.7 KB/sec, approx 6927 Kbps, 6.76 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 2422 ms = 845.6 KB/sec, approx 6968 Kbps, 6.8 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 6850 Kbps, 6.69 Mbps


TEST #2
-------

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:28:25 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 969 ms = 1056.8 KB/sec, approx 8708 Kbps, 8.5 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 1078 ms = 949.9 KB/sec, approx 7827 Kbps, 7.64 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 1000 ms = 1024 KB/sec, approx 8438 Kbps, 8.24 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 2110 ms = 970.6 KB/sec, approx 7998 Kbps, 7.81 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 8243 Kbps, 8.05 Mbps



****************
WIRED CONNECTION (Broadcom NetLink (TM) Gigabit Ethernet)
****************


TEST #1
-------

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:20:12 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 438 ms = 2337.9 KB/sec, approx 19264 Kbps, 18.81 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 422 ms = 2426.5 KB/sec, approx 19994 Kbps, 19.53 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 437 ms = 2343.2 KB/sec, approx 19308 Kbps, 18.86 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 891 ms = 2298.5 KB/sec, approx 18940 Kbps, 18.5 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 19377 Kbps, 18.93 Mbps


TEST #2
-------

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:26:34 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 422 ms = 2426.5 KB/sec, approx 19994 Kbps, 19.53 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 421 ms = 2432.3 KB/sec, approx 20042 Kbps, 19.57 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 438 ms = 2337.9 KB/sec, approx 19264 Kbps, 18.81 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 875 ms = 2340.6 KB/sec, approx 19287 Kbps, 18.83 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 19647 Kbps, 19.18 Mbps


Anyone know why its much slower via wireless?

PS: I'm sat right next to the router and signal strength is xlnt! :confused:

Thanks,
Andy

[xspeedyx]

Check the wireless channel on the wireless adaptor in the laptop should be on around 11 I think

[apuk2004]

Check the wireless channel on the wireless adaptor in the laptop should be on around 11 I think

the belkin N1 router is on AUTO and has selected channel 1.

not sure how to check the laptops wireless adaptor for the channel info. i didnt think you could. :confused:

i have tried different wireless channels, it seems to make no difference :(

[xspeedyx]

try doing a hardwire connection and see what speed you get

[vmuser027]

Use TCP Optimizer.

http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php

Make sure you apply the changes to the wireless card not the ethernet.

[apuk2004]

try doing a hardwire connection and see what speed you get

you appear to not have read my post properly. :dozey:
if you look again you will see i tested both wired and wireless speeds.


see TCP Optimizer.

http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php

Make sure you apply the changes to the wireless card not the ethernet.

i'll give that a go, cheers! ;)

[amateurfool]

the belkin N1 router is on AUTO and has selected channel 1.

not sure how to check the laptops wireless adaptor for the channel info. i didnt think you could. :confused:

i have tried different wireless channels, it seems to make no difference :(

Channels vary in effect due to interference etc, i find channel 8 seems to work best.

What speed has the wireless adaptor negotiated, you could try setting the router to only negotiate 11.g speed, it may be that you are currently negotiating 11.b speed which has a max of 11Mb.

Is the Wireless adaptor built in, pc-card, or usb.

[apuk2004]

Channels vary in effect due to interference etc, i find channel 8 seems to work best.

What speed has the wireless adaptor negotiated, you could try setting the router to only negotiate 11.g speed, it may be that you are currently negotiating 11.b speed which has a max of 11Mb.

Is the Wireless adaptor built in, pc-card, or usb.

Yes i tried all 13 channels and there was only slight differences when speed testing the laptops (in built) wireless connection.

I ended up phoning Belkin last night and they said to try changing the mode from b+g+n to just b+g and again this made no difference as did turning off security.

I've heard that the Buffalo AirStation WHR-HP-G54 is a good router for CABLE so i may just take the N1 back, get a refund and order the Buffalo. Will save myself about £40 quid too!!

[amateurfool]

Yes i tried all 13 channels and there was only slight differences when speed testing the laptops (in built) wireless connection.

You will notice a difference the further away from the router you get.

I ended up phoning Belkin last night and they said to try changing the mode from b+g+n to just b+g and again this made no difference as did turning off security.

Have you tried changing it to g only, as i suggested.

I've heard that the Buffalo AirStation WHR-HP-G54 is a good router for CABLE so i may just take the N1 back, get a refund and order the Buffalo. Will save myself about £40 quid too!!

I have got a D-Link RangeBooster N 650 Router DIR-635 (http://www.dabs4work.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=44W8), absolutely fantastic piece of kit, a bit pricy though (so i got work to pay for it :) ), it replaced a Linksys WRK54g which was ok apart from a tendency to lock up if you tried to watch any video streams (BBC News for example).

[Richy99]

could be the wireless in the laptop rather than the router so changing the router might have no effect at all

[amateurfool]

could be the wireless in the laptop rather than the router so changing the router might have no effect at all

Always a possibility, but difficult to tell unless the router is running at optimum, eliminate the router as a problem and then look at the laptop.

[vmuser027]

Did the TCP optimizer program have any impact?

[xspeedyx]

Sorry Its to do with the wireless in the laptop if u get full speed with the hardwired set up might wanna get laptop card

[amateurfool]

Sorry Its to do with the wireless in the laptop if u get full speed with the hardwired set up might wanna get laptop card

Not necessarily true, if the routers wireless config is off then problems can occur.

To the OP, what model HP laptop is it, and how long have you had it.

[Richy99]

Always a possibility, but difficult to tell unless the router is running at optimum, eliminate the router as a problem and then look at the laptop.

the router was bypassed and gets a high speed, once the router is in and wireless is enabled then the speed goes down, thats what i can gather from his post

some wireless setups will be hard pushed to get close to the full speed of 20meg

[amateurfool]

the router was bypassed and gets a high speed, once the router is in and wireless is enabled then the speed goes down, thats what i can gather from his post

So the wireless config is off somewhere.....

Or the router is duff.

some wireless setups will be hard pushed to get close to the full speed of 20meg

Why, if you have a router and wireless adaptor both capable of 11g, then you should get up to 54Mb, nearly 3 times that of the 20Mb broadband.

[Stuart]

So the wireless config is off somewhere.....

Or the router is duff.



Why, if you have a router and wireless adaptor both capable of 11g, then you should get up to 54Mb, nearly 3 times that of the 20Mb broadband.

You'll get 54 Mb in ideal conditions. I.E no objects blocking the signal (such as walls), and minimal interference from other household appliances (I've been told Microwave Ovens are known to interfere)and minimal interferance from other wireless networks.

TBH, I've never seen 54 Mb from any wireless network.

[apuk2004]

Not necessarily true, if the routers wireless config is off then problems can occur.

To the OP, what model HP laptop is it, and how long have you had it.

hp nx6325 (broadcom wireless & ethernet)
even tried updating the drivers although latest versions are from last year

will try the TCP optimizer when i get home, thanks

[amateurfool]

You'll get 54 Mb in ideal conditions. I.E no objects blocking the signal (such as walls), and minimal interference from other household appliances (I've been told Microwave Ovens are known to interfere)and minimal interferance from other wireless networks.

However the OP did state in his first post "PS: I'm sat right next to the router and signal strength is xlnt! "

TBH, I've never seen 54 Mb from any wireless network.

I tend to get between 48Mb and 54Mb at work, 36Mb to 40Mb at home, and 24Mb at mothers (poxy BT homehub).

---------- Post added at 16:48 ---------- Previous post was at 16:46 ----------

hp nx6325 (broadcom wireless & ethernet)
even tried updating the drivers although latest versions are from last year

Good laptop, I have set up about 6 of these for various managers at work, wireless has seemed very reliable.

will try the TCP optimizer when i get home, thanks

It may help, also try linking the laptop to the router using an ethernet cable if you can, rule out once and for all if the problem is the wireless config or the router generally.

[apuk2004]

Good laptop, I have set up about 6 of these for various managers at work, wireless has seemed very reliable.
.

Its OK, its my GFs and only cost £399 from ebuyer. its about a year old but i rebuilt it recently as it was going a bit slow.

When i get home i will try setting the wireless mode to G only (as i forgot to try that!)

[hokkers999]

Check the wireless channel on the wireless adaptor in the laptop should be on around 11 I think

And your reasoning for that is what exactly :dozey: Won't do much good if the router is on 1 now will it.

Perhaps you hate wireless because you don't know how to set it up properly...

---------- Post added at 00:27 ---------- Previous post was at 00:25 ----------

the belkin N1 router is on AUTO and has selected channel 1.

not sure how to check the laptops wireless adaptor for the channel info. i didnt think you could. :confused:

i have tried different wireless channels, it seems to make no difference :(

Go find and download a copy of netstumbler, will show you all the wireless networks you can "see", the channels they are on and the s/n ratios. Might be that someone else is on an overlapping channel.

---------- Post added at 00:28 ---------- Previous post was at 00:27 ----------

Yes i tried all 13 channels and there was only slight differences when speed testing the laptops (in built) wireless connection.

I ended up phoning Belkin last night and they said to try changing the mode from b+g+n to just b+g and again this made no difference as did turning off security.

I've heard that the Buffalo AirStation WHR-HP-G54 is a good router for CABLE so i may just take the N1 back, get a refund and order the Buffalo. Will save myself about £40 quid too!!

Or get a Linksys 54G and replace the firmware with DD-WRT. You can then set the output power anywhere from the default 28mw all the way up to 254mw. Be aware though that if you *cause* interference you won't be very popular :D

---------- Post added at 00:30 ---------- Previous post was at 00:28 ----------

the router was bypassed and gets a high speed, once the router is in and wireless is enabled then the speed goes down, thats what i can gather from his post

some wireless setups will be hard pushed to get close to the full speed of 20meg

*some* wireless setups can. My Linksys 54G (DD-WRT f/w) can download from my TIVO unit (on a wireless bridge) at nearly 18mbits...

[mrbarlow]

You'll get 54 Mb in ideal conditions.

Er... you won't. 54MB/s is the combined total i.e. 27MB/s in either direction and frankly even in the most ideal conditions you'd do very well to get close to that.

[apuk2004]

..get a Linksys 54G and replace the firmware with DD-WRT...

I am taking the Belkin N1 back to staples today as I now realise i have no need for an Pre-N router. Last night when i set the router to 'g' only mode I was able to get fairly good performance all over the house on channel 2.

I am therefore looking for a cheaper G router.

I hear the Buffalo AirStation WHR-HP-G54 is good and sounds like the linksys you mentioned as you can load that DDWRT firmware.

What is the exact model of yours?

Thanks.

[hokkers999]

I am taking the Belkin N1 back to staples today as I now realise i have no need for an Pre-N router. Last night when i set the router to 'g' only mode I was able to get fairly good performance all over the house on channel 2.

I am therefore looking for a cheaper G router.

I hear the Buffalo AirStation WHR-HP-G54 is good and sounds like the linksys you mentioned as you can load that DDWRT firmware.

What is the exact model of yours?

Thanks.

Linksys WRT-54GS, h/w version 2. You may wish to have a look at the dd-wrt project page. Some of the newer 54's had reduced ram apparently so difficult to upgrade the firmware, but if I remember right the newest ones have full ram again (32 meg).

The dd-wrt f/w load also allows you run a wireless hot-spot if you wish...

[apuk2004]

Linksys WRT-54GS, h/w version 2. You may wish to have a look at the dd-wrt project page. Some of the newer 54's had reduced ram apparently so difficult to upgrade the firmware, but if I remember right the newest ones have full ram again (32 meg).

The dd-wrt f/w load also allows you run a wireless hot-spot if you wish...

Yeah just been looking at the DD-WRT page. A mate has the buffalo and told me to get one but I didn't realise the LinkSYS routers supported it too.

Do you think this one is OK?

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1379435277.118716820 0@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccgdaddljllhdgicflgceggdhhmdgml.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=250537&category_oid=

[ECW_Original]

I am taking the Belkin N1 back to staples today

There is your first mistake, NEVER buy ANY PC equipment from staples, I used to work there and everything I bought there for my PC I had to take back cos it never worked, I ended up going to ****y World instead (thought long & hard about it first) but now my Linksys wireless router & wireless PCI network card works perfect, grr @ staples and their shoddy goods!!

[apuk2004]

There is your first mistake, NEVER buy ANY PC equipment from staples, I used to work there and everything I bought there for my PC I had to take back cos it never worked, I ended up going to ****y World instead (thought long & hard about it first) but now my Linksys wireless router & wireless PCI network card works perfect, grr @ staples and their shoddy goods!!

Nah, I bought it from there on purpose cause i knew I could take it back. PC WORLD tend to be a bit more awkward unless its faulty and I h8 sending things back to online only shops. It nearly always costs me!!

[hokkers999]

Yeah just been looking at the DD-WRT page. A mate has the buffalo and told me to get one but I didn't realise the LinkSYS routers supported it too.

Do you think this one is OK?

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1379435277.118716820 0@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccgdaddljllhdgicflgceggdhhmdgml.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=250537&category_oid=



that's the one I have, have a look here http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/index.php
and read a bit more about dd-wrt

[piggy]

i know a lot of people will disagree but here goes.........as you might appreciate as a vmtech i go to a lot of speed related issues and a lot of the issues are caused by poor wifi/signal/router/firmware the best ive personally seen is the latest belkin giving 14mb but when hard wired it was doing 18mb+
most of the "older" routers 12-18 months old are maxing at 6-8mbs my advice everytime is that if your a total speed freak you must go wired, that said 6-8mb for the majority and convieniance of wifi imo is good enough.

[apuk2004]

that's the one I have, have a look here http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/index.php
and read a bit more about dd-wrt

apparently the Buffalo AirStation WHR-HP-G54 might be better so not sure what to do now :(

I have 3 machines...

LaptopPC with wirelessG onboard (mostly used in same room as router)
PS3 in lounge (again close to the router, no walls in the way)
DesktopPC - wirelessG usb adaptor (furthest from router - about 10m away in upstairs bedroom - this usually gets the weakest signal)

When i had ADSL i hardwired the PS3 into the back of the router but now i'm on cable this is not possible as the router is on a shelf in the dining room so now everything has to be wireless (:()

I want to know which would be better for me, the buffalo or the linksys?

[hokkers999]

apparently the Buffalo AirStation WHR-HP-G54 might be better so not sure what to do now :(

I have 3 machines...

LaptopPC with wirelessG onboard (mostly used in same room as router)
PS3 in lounge (again close to the router, no walls in the way)
DesktopPC - wirelessG usb adaptor (furthest from router - about 10m away in upstairs bedroom - this usually gets the weakest signal)

When i had ADSL i hardwired the PS3 into the back of the router but now i'm on cable this is not possible as the router is on a shelf in the dining room so now everything has to be wireless (:()

I want to know which would be better for me, the buffalo or the linksys?

I think the actual wireless chip in both is a Broadcom BCM4712 so it should largely be down to a matter of personal preference, cost, where you can get it from etc. you won't go wrong with either.

[amateurfool]

DesktopPC - wirelessG usb adaptor (furthest from router - about 10m away in upstairs bedroom - this usually gets the weakest signal)

I would recommend swapping the USB adaptor for an internal PCI one, you should find the signal strength increases and overall performance improves.

I have seen USB wireless adaptors drop connections when the pc is running an intensive application.

[apuk2004]

Use TCP Optimizer.

http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php

Make sure you apply the changes to the wireless card not the ethernet.

You my friend are a star! :nworthy:

TCP Optimizer sorted out the slowness problems.

Just downloaded a file using the nx6325 laptop (connected wirelessly to the BelkinN1) and now getting speeds of 2.1mb/s!

Even my PC that gets a low signal gets over 12mb on a speedtest so i'm now well happy :)

I also found the Belkin N1 cheaper elsewhere and staples gave me money back (a tenner!) :)

PS: Thanks to all posters in this thread for help! :tu:

[vmuser027]

How funny...

Today i was upgraded to the 20mb service and now have the same problem you had! Used TCP optimizer and still only reaching 14mb

[apuk2004]

How funny...

Today i was upgraded to the 20mb service and now have the same problem you had! Used TCP optimizer and still only reaching 14mb

Are you connecting to a router via Wifi? Use Netstumbler to see if your clashing with a neighbours network on the same channel. ;)