Unable to take advantage of high speed internet

I have a cable internet connection (Optimum online). I recently upgraded to
their "internet boost" service, which increases maximum speed from 15 mbps
to 30 mbps. If I wire my laptop (HP Pavilion zv6270us) directly to my cable
modem, I can achieve 27 mbps, which is perfectly acceptable. However, if I
use my wireless network, the fastest that I can get is 7 mbps.

I am using a D-Link 802.11g/2.4 GHz wireless router. When I check the
wireless network connection, it says that its speed is 54Mbps. On the list
of installed hardware on my computer, it lists two network cards.

Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN - Packet Scheduler Miniport

Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC - Packet Scheduler Miniport

I did download new drivers for both of the NICs, but it didn't make any
difference in the speed. Any suggestions on how to take advantage of my new
high speed internet service? Thanks in advance.

Tom

"Tom Barreca" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>I have a cable internet connection (Optimum online). I recently upgraded to
>their "internet boost" service, which increases maximum speed from 15 mbps
>to 30 mbps. If I wire my laptop (HP Pavilion zv6270us) directly to my cable
>modem, I can achieve 27 mbps, which is perfectly acceptable. However, if I
>use my wireless network, the fastest that I can get is 7 mbps.

What happens when you plug directly into your router with an ethernet
cable (i.e. no wireless)? That will determine if it's a router
problem or a wireless problem.
>
>I am using a D-Link 802.11g/2.4 GHz wireless router.

That's nice. Is there some reason why you're not disclosing the model
number? You did so well with the HP laptop and internet provider.
Yet, it seems that the selection of wireless equipment is such an
embarrassment, that many users will do anything to hide the details. I
realize that it might be difficult, but could I trouble you to reveal
the model number? I won't tell anyone you have this model.

>When I check the
>wireless network connection, it says that its speed is 54Mbps.

I'll assume that you're checking the speed on the HP zv6270us laptop.
Be advised that the speed often changes when you start moving traffic.
In general, if there are errors, the speed will slow down. When
traffic stops, it sometimes goes back to 54Mbits/sec. What the
customer usually sees is only the starting and ending speeds. It
makes it look like you have a wonderful 54Mbit/sec connection, when in
reality, you only get that when it's NOT moving data.

>On the list
>of installed hardware on my computer, it lists two network cards.
>Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN - Packet Scheduler Miniport
>Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC - Packet Scheduler Miniport
>
>I did download new drivers for both of the NICs, but it didn't make any
>difference in the speed.

These drivers?
<http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=228&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=112 7348&lang=en>
Did you also install all the latest Windoze updates? (Just checking).

>Any suggestions on how to take advantage of my new
>high speed internet service? Thanks in advance.

Sure. It would have been much easier if you had bothered to supply
the DLink model number. So, you get generalities instead:

My guess(tm) is that your unspecified model DLink router might be
gutless and can't handle the speed. See the table at:
<http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,156/?chart=124>
and note that a large number of routers can't go fast enough. Is your
router among these?

There's also a possibility it's a wireless problem. See table at:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Performance_and_Speed>
At best, you'll get about 24Mbits/sec with a 54Mbit/sec connection. If
you have 802.11b compatibility enabled, and have an older DLink
router, you'll get at best 14 Mbits/sec thruput. If you have any form
of interference or reflections, you'll get even less. However,
7Mbits/sec is positively dismal. The problem will be figuring out why
it's so slow. First, try an ethernet cable to the router and see if
the router is slowing you down. I consider this highly likely. If
the DLink can deliver the same performance as a direct connection to
your cable modem, then come back and I'll suggest some wireless
setting changes and tests. One thing you can easily do is try a
different channel (1, 6 or 11) in your DLink, in case it's some manner
of interference that's slowing you down.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Jeff,

Thank you very much for your help.

When I connect directly to the cable modem with an Ethernet cable, I get 25
to 27 mbps. But when I connect via the wireless network, I only get 3 to 7
mbps.

The D-Link 802.11g/2.4 GHz wireless router is model # DI-524. It's not on
that list that you suggested that I look at.

I had previously downloaded a new driver for the Broadcom NIC by finding it
on the list in Device Manager, right clicking on it, selecting properties
and selecting update driver. I went to the website you suggested and
downloaded a new driver again. It didn't seem to increase the speed.

I assume that all windows updates have been previously downloaded. My
computer is configured to automatically download updates, and periodically
it gives me a message that it is doing just that.

The router was connected to channel 6. I tried channels 1 and 11 as you
recommended, but that didn't make any significant difference.

When I connect the computer directly to the wireless router with an Ethernet
cable, I get a significant increase in speed, 12.72 Mbps, but that's still
less than half of what I get when I connect directly to the cable modem with
an Ethernet cable.

Do you think that a new router would do the trick? If so, do you have any
recommendations?

Thank you in advance. I really appreciate your help.

Tom


"Jeff Liebermann" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Tom Barreca" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
>
>>I have a cable internet connection (Optimum online). I recently upgraded
>>to
>>their "internet boost" service, which increases maximum speed from 15 mbps
>>to 30 mbps. If I wire my laptop (HP Pavilion zv6270us) directly to my
>>cable
>>modem, I can achieve 27 mbps, which is perfectly acceptable. However, if I
>>use my wireless network, the fastest that I can get is 7 mbps.
>
> What happens when you plug directly into your router with an ethernet
> cable (i.e. no wireless)? That will determine if it's a router
> problem or a wireless problem.
>>
>>I am using a D-Link 802.11g/2.4 GHz wireless router.
>
> That's nice. Is there some reason why you're not disclosing the model
> number? You did so well with the HP laptop and internet provider.
> Yet, it seems that the selection of wireless equipment is such an
> embarrassment, that many users will do anything to hide the details. I
> realize that it might be difficult, but could I trouble you to reveal
> the model number? I won't tell anyone you have this model.
>
>>When I check the
>>wireless network connection, it says that its speed is 54Mbps.
>
> I'll assume that you're checking the speed on the HP zv6270us laptop.
> Be advised that the speed often changes when you start moving traffic.
> In general, if there are errors, the speed will slow down. When
> traffic stops, it sometimes goes back to 54Mbits/sec. What the
> customer usually sees is only the starting and ending speeds. It
> makes it look like you have a wonderful 54Mbit/sec connection, when in
> reality, you only get that when it's NOT moving data.
>
>>On the list
>>of installed hardware on my computer, it lists two network cards.
>>Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN - Packet Scheduler Miniport
>>Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC - Packet Scheduler Miniport
>>
>>I did download new drivers for both of the NICs, but it didn't make any
>>difference in the speed.
>
> These drivers?
> <http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=228&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=112 7348&lang=en>
> Did you also install all the latest Windoze updates? (Just checking).
>
>>Any suggestions on how to take advantage of my new
>>high speed internet service? Thanks in advance.
>
> Sure. It would have been much easier if you had bothered to supply
> the DLink model number. So, you get generalities instead:
>
> My guess(tm) is that your unspecified model DLink router might be
> gutless and can't handle the speed. See the table at:
> <http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,156/?chart=124>
> and note that a large number of routers can't go fast enough. Is your
> router among these?
>
> There's also a possibility it's a wireless problem. See table at:
> <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Performance_and_Speed>
> At best, you'll get about 24Mbits/sec with a 54Mbit/sec connection. If
> you have 802.11b compatibility enabled, and have an older DLink
> router, you'll get at best 14 Mbits/sec thruput. If you have any form
> of interference or reflections, you'll get even less. However,
> 7Mbits/sec is positively dismal. The problem will be figuring out why
> it's so slow. First, try an ethernet cable to the router and see if
> the router is slowing you down. I consider this highly likely. If
> the DLink can deliver the same performance as a direct connection to
> your cable modem, then come back and I'll suggest some wireless
> setting changes and tests. One thing you can easily do is try a
> different channel (1, 6 or 11) in your DLink, in case it's some manner
> of interference that's slowing you down.
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
> 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 13:51:10 -0500, "Tom Barreca" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote in <L2nBh.18$(E-Mail Removed)>:

>When I connect directly to the cable modem with an Ethernet cable, I get 25
>to 27 mbps. But when I connect via the wireless network, I only get 3 to 7
>mbps.

When the wireless distance is only (say) 5 feet or so? If so, then
interference is the likely culprit. Try different channels (1, 6, 11).
Or see Interference in the wikis below. Otherwise you may need a
stronger signal, by means of a better antenna or cheap reflector.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

First thing to do is set your wireless access point to "G" only and
not both B and G modes. If your access point detects any B clients
connected to it it will operate in the B mode for most
communications.

Second even though the over the air data rate is 54 mbits per second
you can never get anywhere near that. The 802.11 equipment is all half
duplex and has other issues as well that limit the bandwidth such as
beacons that are sent out as well as periods where both the client or
access point has to listen for traffic or to switch from transmit to
receive. 802.11 equipment acts as a wirelss hub and not a wireless
switch. They are subject to constant collisions which limit
throughput. The faster the rate that traffic is trying to be sent the
higher the number of collisions.

Even good quality equipment such as Cisco 802.11 G acess points model
1240 series will have a very difficult time getting more than about 15
mbits per second even over very short distances. The best case I have
seen is about a 20 mbits per second rate in one direction under
optimal conditions.

On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 13:51:10 -0500, "Tom Barreca"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Thank you very much for your help.

Eternal praise and gratitude are always graciously accepted.

>When I connect directly to the cable modem with an Ethernet cable, I get 25
>to 27 mbps. But when I connect via the wireless network, I only get 3 to 7
>mbps.

Ok. It's not the ISP or cable modem. That leaves the DI-524 router
or wireless section.

>The D-Link 802.11g/2.4 GHz wireless router is model # DI-524. It's not on
>that list that you suggested that I look at.

Bummer. The DI-524 is not the worlds greatest router. However, it
should not be slowing you down that far.

>I had previously downloaded a new driver for the Broadcom NIC by finding it
>on the list in Device Manager, right clicking on it, selecting properties
>and selecting update driver. I went to the website you suggested and
>downloaded a new driver again. It didn't seem to increase the speed.

Oh well, it was worth a try.

Do you have a spare computer handy that has an ethernet connection? If
so, I would like to try some benchmarks without going through the
router section using IPerf:
<http://dast.nlanr.net/Projects/Iperf/>
To start, connect both computers to the DI-524 using CAT5 ethernet
cable. Run the server on the spare computer as:
iperf -s
on one machine. Run:
iperf -c ip_address_of_server
You should get a report of the download speed via 100baseTX. It
should be at least 80Mbits/sec. That will prove that the spare
machine is not a limiting factor and that both machines have enough
horsepower to run the test.

Next, disconnect the ethernet cable from the wireless laptop and
connect via wireless. Run the test again. If you're really getting a
54Mbits/sec connection, you should get about 25Mbit/sec thruput. If
there are 802.11b devices interfering with your DI-524, then perhaps
17Mbits/sec maximum.

We can get fancy with the options (i.e. bi-directional, UDP instead of
TCP, longer duration, multiple streams, etc) later.

If you still get 3-7Mbits/sec, then you need to try some changes.
John brought up the possibility of interefence. Try different
channels (1, 6, 11). Try isolating the radios from a view of the city
such as away from windows. Try it in the same room where you're
guaranteed to have a good signal. Try turning off 802.11b
compatibility "mixed mode" (unless you really need it).
<http://support.dlink.com/emulators/di524_revc/h_wireless.html>

>I assume that all windows updates have been previously downloaded. My
>computer is configured to automatically download updates, and periodically
>it gives me a message that it is doing just that.

That only gets the "critical" updates and not the optional updates. It
doesn't get the optional or hardware updates. Apparently preformance
issues are not considered critical. Try going to:

IE6 or IE7 -> Tools -> Windoze Updates

If it mumbles something about downloading the new and improved
"Microsoft Update", do it. It's a bit of an ordeal but it's worth the
effort slogging through the legal disclaimers and dumb questions.

>The router was connected to channel 6. I tried channels 1 and 11 as you
>recommended, but that didn't make any significant difference.

Ok, then's it might not be interference. One gotcha that's becoming
more apparent is interference from municipal wireless mesh networks.
If you have one nearby, be advised that they tend to run high power (1
watt) but usually don't hog all the channels. Look out the window to
check.

Other sources of interference:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>
See if any apply.

>When I connect the computer directly to the wireless router with an Ethernet
>cable, I get a significant increase in speed, 12.72 Mbps, but that's still
>less than half of what I get when I connect directly to the cable modem with
>an Ethernet cable.

Oh-oh. It appears that the DI-524 is not capeable of going fast
enough. That's why I mentioned that the DI-524 is not my favorite
router. I couldn't find any reviews on SmallNetBuilder.com on the
DI-524 that have benchmark tests.

If you feel ambitious, use the method I described with IPerf to
measure the WAN to LAN throughput. Basically, setup your space PC on
the WAN port, with a static IP address in both the PC and the WAN side
of the router. The LAN side gets the other machine with a CAT5
ethernet cable. No internet and no wireless. I you get about
13Mbits/sec thruput with IPerf, the problem is that the router is
gutless.

>Do you think that a new router would do the trick?

Yes. However, I'm not going to guarantee it. I have no customers or
experience with 30Mbit/sec systems.

>If so, do you have any
>recommendations?

Obviously, one of the routers on this list that can do more then
30Mbits/sec WAN to LAN.
<http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,156/?chart=124>
I really like the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 (this week) but mostly because I
can install DD-WRT alternative firmware. The problem is that I don't
know if it can do 30Mbits/sec. I can try simulating it with Iperf
this weekend, but only if you say you're interested in the results.
I've got way too many projects pending.


--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 (E-Mail Removed)
# http://802.11junk.com (E-Mail Removed)
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

Thank you very much for your reply.

How do I set my wireless access point to "G" only?

Tom


"kbloch2001" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> First thing to do is set your wireless access point to "G" only and
> not both B and G modes. If your access point detects any B clients
> connected to it it will operate in the B mode for most
> communications.
>
> Second even though the over the air data rate is 54 mbits per second
> you can never get anywhere near that. The 802.11 equipment is all half
> duplex and has other issues as well that limit the bandwidth such as
> beacons that are sent out as well as periods where both the client or
> access point has to listen for traffic or to switch from transmit to
> receive. 802.11 equipment acts as a wirelss hub and not a wireless
> switch. They are subject to constant collisions which limit
> throughput. The faster the rate that traffic is trying to be sent the
> higher the number of collisions.
>
> Even good quality equipment such as Cisco 802.11 G acess points model
> 1240 series will have a very difficult time getting more than about 15
> mbits per second even over very short distances. The best case I have
> seen is about a 20 mbits per second rate in one direction under
> optimal conditions.
>

"Tom Barreca" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>Thank you very much for your reply.
>How do I set my wireless access point to "G" only?

See:
<http://support.dlink.com/emulators/di524_revc/h_wireless.html>
It's the line with "G mode" and "Mixed" mode. Mixed mode means it
will accept 802.11g and 802.11b connections. "G mode" means "G" only.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Thanks again for all the advice!

I changed it to "G" mode only, and I'm getting 7.3 Mbps, a slight increase,
but still not as fast as I think I should be getting. When I have a little
more time, I'll perform the diagnostic test that Jeff recommended in a
previous post. If that doesn't work, I'll either have to get a new router,
or just go back to the ordinary Optonline service. No reason to pay extra
for the "Boost" service if I can't utilize it!

Thanks again,

Tom

"Jeff Liebermann" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Tom Barreca" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
>
>>Thank you very much for your reply.
>>How do I set my wireless access point to "G" only?
>
> See:
> <http://support.dlink.com/emulators/di524_revc/h_wireless.html>
> It's the line with "G mode" and "Mixed" mode. Mixed mode means it
> will accept 802.11g and 802.11b connections. "G mode" means "G" only.
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
> 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On Sat, 17 Feb 2007 20:57:11 -0500, "Tom Barreca"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I changed it to "G" mode only, and I'm getting 7.3 Mbps, a slight increase,

Well, some is weird here. You get:
27 Mbits/sec connected to the cable modem.
17 Mbits/sec connected via ethernet to the DI-524 router
7 Mbits/sec connected via wireless.
I would expect the directly speed connected to the router either via
wireless or CAT5 to be exactly the same. At least that's what I see
when I do internet download speed tests on various router.

Never mind, I see what's happening. When the WAN->LAN part of the
router is hogging all the CPU cycles, there's nothing left for the
wireless section. So, it slows down even more. I never see that on
my tests because I never seem to run into any 30Mbit/sec internet
connections or routers that are speed limited at that speed.

>but still not as fast as I think I should be getting. When I have a little
>more time, I'll perform the diagnostic test that Jeff recommended in a
>previous post. If that doesn't work, I'll either have to get a new router,
>or just go back to the ordinary Optonline service. No reason to pay extra
>for the "Boost" service if I can't utilize it!

If I have time, I'll setup a similar simulation test at home and try a
few routers I have floating around. It's a very simple test, where
most of the effort is in the initial setup. It would be nice to have
my own numbers and see what my routers can do.

Also, my guess(tm) is that you're heading for a new router purchase.

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 (E-Mail Removed)
# http://802.11junk.com (E-Mail Removed)
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS