Superhub : Superhub 2

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by jd001k0598

Why do I not need to upgrade if I mainly stream? I apologise for what you may think are daft questions but I am new to all this downloading and streaming.

---------- Post added at 23:16 ---------- Previous post was at 22:55 ----------

And would a 200Mbps Homeplug be adequate?

Streaming even HD doesn't require the 25mbit you could probably reliably get from those homeplugs, which is the only reason I suggested that you could possibly stick with them. I'm still of the opinion that it's better to upgrade them to make the most of your connection though. Apologies if I didn't make that clear.

Originally Posted by jd001k0598

Thanks, I have purchased the 500's.

I checked the speed on my Laptop last night and I was getting 72.0 mbps & was told this was wireless speed. I checked my main desktop this morning and I am getting between 24 and 48 Mbps on a wireless dongle of 150Mbps. The desktop is a couple of feet away from the Sky Router.

My question is what size wireless dongle should I be looking for if I was going to purchase one (I will be using a Homeplug), just out of interest.

The Super Hub 2, I am told, offers a far better wireless connection which is why I am asking.

VM offer speeds of up to 100Mb I presume thats Mbps?

---------- Post added at 09:22 ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 ----------

Also, according to VM, my area is already 120Mb ready, so I presume I will go straight onto this speed?

When it comes to wireless, not all dongles are created equally so here's a quick sort of overview of what things you need to know:

There are a few different wireless standards, from a, b, g, n and the very latest ac (ac is still in "draft" stage, so it's not officially finalised yet). The Superhub 2 is rated as Wireless-N. G, the predecessor to N, was rated at about 54Mbit which is why you're seeing that number a lot. Then along came N and muddied the waters a bit. Each standard (with the exception of Wireless-a) is backwards compatible, so Wireless-G equipment will work on Wireless-N networks unless you specifically force the router to be "N-only".

Wireless-N is generally rated much higher than G, but it uses multiple antennae to achieve this so the ultimate speed you get will depend not just on the environment, but the quality and design of the Wireless-N equipment you're using. A lot of cheap dongles, for example, may say Wireless-N on the box but only actually have a single antenna so won't get much higher than Wireless-G equipment (I think that can only hit 72Mbit but don't quite me exactly).

When you shop around for dongles, play close attention to what it's rated at. Dongles that don't indicate this are usually super cheap and crappy, like the above. Quite a few are rated at 150Mbit which is ok but to make the most of what you've got, try to get one capable of 300Mbit - that sounds like a lot, but remember that wireless is very prone to environmental effects so in an average home, that 300Mbit will probably drop to less than 150mbit (depending on range, interference, etc.).

You're not done yet though, there's more - the wireless frequency. Up until now, pretty much all wireless ran on the 2.4Ghz frequency - not just Wi-fi, but things like baby monitors, bluetooth, wireless mice/keyboards, even Microwaves and all those devices clog up the airwaves and cause drops in speed. Never mind all your neighbours crap as well. However, good wireless equipment can also run on the 5Ghz frequency. The Superhub 2 is one of these and in actual fact, you get two separate wireless networks with the Superhub 2 - one running on the usual 2.4Ghz and one running on 5Ghz. 5Ghz is great, the signal doesn't quite penetrate as far but it is MUCH less congested and prone to interference, especially as it's unlikely many of your neighbours will have upgraded to it yet which ultimately means getting much closer to that 300Mbit theoretical speed.

Wireless dongles that support 5Ghz are usually listed as "dual band" as they always support 2.4Ghz as well. If you're buying new wireless dongles, get a dual band one and really make the most of your new Superhub.

In short: Look for a dongle capable of connecting to 5Ghz networks (i.e. Dual Band) and rated for 300Mbit or more. They'll be a bit more expensive, but worth the extra.

EDIT: This is an example of what I'd say is a "good" dongle. I believe it's the one most people recommend.

[jd001k0598]

Originally Posted by Kushan

Streaming even HD doesn't require the 25mbit you could probably reliably get from those homeplugs, which is the only reason I suggested that you could possibly stick with them. I'm still of the opinion that it's better to upgrade them to make the most of your connection though. Apologies if I didn't make that clear.

You probably did make that clear, I am a little slow on this as I am still getting my head round all this. I do know what you are saying and I think it may be wise to upgrade anyway.

I have gone ahead and ordered the dongle you suggested, like you said, I am aiming to get the best I possibly can from the new Hub.

Originally Posted by Kushan

You're not done yet though, there's more - the wireless frequency. Up until now, pretty much all wireless ran on the 2.4Ghz frequency - not just Wi-fi, but things like baby monitors, bluetooth, wireless mice/keyboards, even Microwaves and all those devices clog up the airwaves and cause drops in speed. Never mind all your neighbours crap as well. However, good wireless equipment can also run on the 5Ghz frequency. The Superhub 2 is one of these and in actual fact, you get two separate wireless networks with the Superhub 2 - one running on the usual 2.4Ghz and one running on 5Ghz. 5Ghz is great, the signal doesn't quite penetrate as far but it is MUCH less congested and prone to interference, especially as it's unlikely many of your neighbours will have upgraded to it yet which ultimately means getting much closer to that 300Mbit theoretical speed.

What can I say, this is absolutely mind boggling. I didn't realise there was so many factors to take into consideration. I thought it would just ba a case of finding a 'fast' dongle and that would be it.

I would like to thank you so much for taking the time to explain all this to me. I am very grateful. I have read it several times and will contune to do so until I am more confident.

[Harryn9000]

anyone suggest a router to plug into superhub 2 for about £40-£50 i am just asking just incase i have lag problem that stop me using router side again

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by jd001k0598

You probably did make that clear, I am a little slow on this as I am still getting my head round all this. I do know what you are saying and I think it may be wise to upgrade anyway.

I have gone ahead and ordered the dongle you suggested, like you said, I am aiming to get the best I possibly can from the new Hub.

What can I say, this is absolutely mind boggling. I didn't realise there was so many factors to take into consideration. I thought it would just ba a case of finding a 'fast' dongle and that would be it.

I would like to thank you so much for taking the time to explain all this to me. I am very grateful. I have read it several times and will contune to do so until I am more confident.

Don't worry, this networking stuff is a lot more complicated that it first appears but it's not really TOO bad. I'm sure you'll be fine once your SH2 arrives.

[jd001k0598]

Well I think I am sorted now.

7 Homeplugs 500Mb on the way for Computers and Xboxes. Also ordered :
ASUS USB-N53 - 300Mbps Dual Band Wireless USB Dongle. 802.11n, (Win7), but hoping it will work on Windows 8.

If I do not get good speeds is not for the want of trying, got to get better than the 5 -6 I am currently getting!

[jalzoo]

Anyone know what kinda hardware the Superhub2 is running?, RAM/CPU.

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by jd001k0598

Well I think I am sorted now.

7 Homeplugs 500Mb on the way for Computers and Xboxes. Also ordered :
ASUS USB-N53 - 300Mbps Dual Band Wireless USB Dongle. 802.11n, (Win7), but hoping it will work on Windows 8.

If I do not get good speeds is not for the want of trying, got to get better than the 5 -6 I am currently getting!

Sounds good, you'll definitely get better than 5-6meg there!
And that dongle should work fine on windows 8, they use the same drivers.

[linwelin]

Just got new superhub installed, can someone look at these power levels i don't think they are right.

[Sephiroth]

What's not right about the levels? They are perfectly good.

The SNR/RxMER is reported lower on the SH2. I believe (but not sure) that there is an equation difference between the SH1 Broadcomm and SH2 Intel Puma 5. It's a while since I read this stuff up, but possibly due to the difference between SNR and CNR - or I'm guessing wildly. But it'll be an algorithmic difference.

[linwelin]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

What's not right about the levels? They are perfectly good.

The SNR/RxMER is reported lower on the SH2. I believe (but not sure) that there is an equation difference between the SH1 Broadcomm and SH2 Intel Puma 5. It's a while since I read this stuff up, but possibly due to the difference between SNR and CNR - or I'm guessing wildly. But it'll be an algorithmic difference.

It seems very unstable, its on then off then on then off, is the 2.4GHz suppose to flash ? it seems only the 5GHz light stays solid.

[Sephiroth]

What's on then off? The wirless lights flash when the channel is in use by a device.

[linwelin]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

What's on then off?

The internet, though it seems to be getting more stable now.

Normally on 6 i think

[RobboEdin]

There is a bug where the SH2 sometimes starts with only one downstream and upstream.

A reset usually resolves this.

[Sephiroth]

Are all the lights on and blue when you have just one channel?

Normally you'd see this if you've caught the SH at the start of the boot processes. if you're on the internet with one channel, you'll get no more than 50 meg (if that) but it's a fault.

Less likely to be a SH2 fault but more likely to be something at the VM end (the CMTS), I reckon. The CMTS provisions a bonding group to the SH and then you have 6 channels.

[jd001k0598]

So, going back to earlier posts of Mb/Mbps I have plugged my desktop computer direct to the Sky Router and it's saying 100.0Mbps. Is that the same as 12.5Mb and would would I expect that to read when connected to the VM SHub 2. I realise it is dependant on a lot of factors, but a rough idea would be good.

---------- Post added at 16:18 ---------- Previous post was at 16:06 ----------

And to add I little more, if Sky are offering 20Mb, is that the same as 160Mbps? Or am I completly off the mark and trying to work this out.