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FIOS: slower then expected wireless internet speeds

Discussion in 'Community Broadband & Computers' started by volvo_nut, Dec 24, 2010.

  1. IRideYZFR6

    IRideYZFR6 Linux Guru

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    Talking about which channel to set your WAP to, what I do is use something like Kismet and perform a wireless assessment around my house about once a year (neighbors are always changing their configs or updating their hardware). This gives me more info then I probably need but I can see wireless access points that may cross over into my “wireless network”. The below link shows a great representation of the bleed over that can occur on the different channels (GHz). i.e. if a neighbor is set to channel 11 then you would be best at channel 6 or 1, to prevent the bleed over or “noise”.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2.4_GHz_Wi-Fi_channels_(802.11b,g_WLAN).svg
     
  2. Rhaegar

    Rhaegar Member

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    Let's start at the beginning.

    1. what product/model are you using for your wireless AP?
    2. what product/model are you using for your wireless card?
    3. what encryption is being used?
    4. are you using any other devices on the same AP?
    5. what channel is it on?
     
  3. razng2grtboys

    razng2grtboys New Member

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    1. Verizon MI424WR
    2. We have four laptops - multiple types of wireless cards - all slow compared to wired connection
    3. WEP Key 128bit Hex
    4. Just the laptops (normally 2 or 3 at a time)
    5. I have no idea what channel nor how to change it.

    Thanks!
     
  4. Rhaegar

    Rhaegar Member

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    The Verizon MI424WR is an 802.11g/802.11b router. Wireless is a shared medium and will decrease in speed for every connected device. 802.11g is advertised at 54g. The first thing you do is half this because the medium is half duplex. This leaves you at 27 Mbps. Then you take into account interference and the fact that you have 4 devices on it and it starts to make sense why your data rate is lower than you would like. You may want to test the situation with only one device connected.

    You may also want to invest in an 802.11n AP (which would require your devices support 802.11n also). This would increase your data rate significantly. Meanwhile, plug in for a big data transfer.
     
  5. razng2grtboys

    razng2grtboys New Member

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    I got into my router...looking at the settings. Other devices attached are the Wii and two Blackberry mobile phones.

    The 'Channel' is set to 'Automatic' but I can change to anything from 1-11.

    Also, Wireless Mode:Mixed accepts 802.11b and 802.11g connections
     
  6. razng2grtboys

    razng2grtboys New Member

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    I never thought about getting a 802.11n AP. I know my newer Windows 7 laptops support it. I'll look into it. Thanks again!
     
  7. Rhaegar

    Rhaegar Member

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    Splitting your newer faster Win7 laptop off onto a separate network running 802.11n and hopefully some better encryption (WPA2 Personal. Guys like me can walk through WEP like it isn't there) would make for a faster more secure experience for you. Good luck.
     
  8. razng2grtboys

    razng2grtboys New Member

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    802.11n AP arrived today. I went with the ASUS RT-N13U. Got it set up and now my wireless is BLAZING FAST! Thanks for the tips.
     
  9. Rhaegar

    Rhaegar Member

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    That's awesome. Thanks for the follow-up.
     
  10. volvo_nut

    volvo_nut New Member

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    Andy - a follow-up to our conversation this weekend:

    New FIOS router arrived today, wireless is nearly equal to my wired connection! The router, Actiontec MI424-WR Rev. F, is newer with a USB port at the top. Firmware v. 20.10.7

    FIOS 25/25 plan:

    Down: 30
    Up: 22

    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1341670531.png

    I am a happy camper!! Hopefully the performance holds.
     
  11. volvo_nut

    volvo_nut New Member

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    The router is putting out 802.11n and my above readings were from my Macbook Pro with 802.11n compatible card

    Speed test on our older iMac: 802.11g compatible:

    Down: 15
    Up: 17

    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1341683261.png

    All tests are much faster for each computer. I've got Win7 and XP computers to test next.
     
  12. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Volvo_nut, how difficult was it to have them send you a new FiOS router? The one I have is one of the very original models they were rolling out at the time.
     
  13. Rhaegar

    Rhaegar Member

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    That's really great news. As you heard last weekend, if it didn't then we get into driver versions and harder to troubleshoot things that could be creating spectrum interference. It's not a pretty path to go down. Happy it worked out!
     
  14. volvo_nut

    volvo_nut New Member

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    I spent about 40mins on the phone with a tech. He checked a variety of settings and when we did the Verizon tests and speedtest.net tests with my laptop within inches, and still had < 2mb yet 30mb when wired, he said it sounded like the wireless in the router was having issues and sent the new one overnight.

    If I recall, you should be able to take your older router into a Verizon office and swap for a newer unit. There may be one in Leesburg.
     
  15. Winston

    Winston Junior Mint

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    Does the Verizon store in Brambleton carry them? I know you can swap out set-top boxes there.
     

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