50Mb Service Needs a Network Adapter for Each Device?
 

Hey guys. Addmittedly, I don't know a huge amount about networks but I know enough, coupled with a liberal helping of logic to know when something doesn't quite feel right.

I've been told by 'Luke' at Virgin Media's supposed help line that I have to have a D-Link network adapter connected to each of my devices if I want to benefit from the full 50Mb service and that using my old router, I will only get up to 20Mb. Strange this, particularly as I'm using my existing Netgear router and consistantly getting in the region of 40Mb.

The problem is that using my D-Link DIR-615 router drags the whole service down to the speed of treacle on a slight decline but I'd really like to use it to benefit from its greater signal range and the potential to squeeze a few extra Megabits out of the connection. I wouldn't have thought the hideous reduction in speed has anything to do with wireless standards as it is wired directly to my PC - I haven't even tried it wirelessly with other devices yet.

Surely VM can't offer a service which is dependent on purchasing additional network adaptors for each additional device, can they? Even if this is the reality, it's not at all clear from their advertising material.

I don't know about the rest of you but I have so little confidence in Virgin Media's understanding of its own service.

Any views or facts appreciated.

Steve.

Re: 50Mb Service Needs a Network Adapter for Each Device?
 

U will need a Wireless N adapter for each device to get around 50mb. Doesnt need to be D link they are just trying to get u to buy from them proberbly.

As for the old wireless router. Wireless G will usually only give u a max of around 40 - 45mb.

to get the most from the 50mb the new wireless N router u will need for wireless.

Re: 50Mb Service Needs a Network Adapter for Each Device?
 

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

Most PC's come with NIC's built in (either wired or wireless) If you want full speed from the 50Mb you need either the wired ethernet on the device or Wireless N. You don;t pecify if the netgear you have is N or G or G+. Either way N or G+ will do the full 50Mb but G won't.

VM supply you with the modem, the router and a way for one PC to connect, they are not responsible for other PC's unless you ask them for more adaptors which you will be charged for.

As for the Dlink being slower then that's normally just configuration problems

Re: 50Mb Service Needs a Network Adapter for Each Device?
 

Thanks Kymmy and WelshChris,

OK. That's fine. I understand the need to get an N standard network adapter for each device where I absolutely want to get the full 50Mb service.

The only thing I don't understand is why I'm getting very poor performance [300Kb] when my main PC is wired to the router. As you suggest Kymmy, this may well be down to configuration issues. Do you have any thoughts on where to start in terms of identifying the root cause of these configuration issues? I used the standard installation process to get the router up and running.

Thanks again for your support and words of welcome...

Steve.

Re: 50Mb Service Needs a Network Adapter for Each Device?
 

The routers should work right out of the box, only thing I can think of which would cause problems is an IP or MAC conflict

Re: 50Mb Service Needs a Network Adapter for Each Device?
 

Very odd that its slow even wired. I have ran speedtests on lots of n routers wired and got good results. Either the router isn't configured property, there is a conflict issue or the router is faulty.(assuming that it was wired to your old router also, which means you network card is ok).

I would log into the router and re-run the internet connection wizard, make sure mac cloning is disabled and it is set to dhcp.