Questions about wireless "N" networking

I recently bought a DIR-655 to replace a Netgear router that bit the dust. Installation went smooth. I installed a Belkin USB 802.11a/b/g/n wireless adapter into my Gateway MT3422 notebook. I just cant get my connection speed to go any higher than 65mps through my wireless connection with this setup. I tried setting the router to broadcast in only 802.11n, setting the security to WPA2 or none. Still only 65mps. Tried disconnecting the 2 Xbox 360's and one other laptop running on 802.11g. Still only 65mps. The only way Ive been able to get a faster rate is to wire the laptop to the router or the cable modem. Still only get to 100mps, but thats just because of the 10/100mps network card.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

That sounds like the USB2 speed is limiting you there. Perhaps a Mini-PCIe card would yield faster speeds.

Greg

 

yes

suggestion #1- get a "d-link" N adapter for close to 300mbps.....

Belkin and d-link aren't friendly .......

don't mix brand types if you max speed and range until final "N" is out in 2009.......

 

maybe these shots will help you--> check your settings on the router and post back

 

nobscot6, thx for the help. The channel width was set to 20 Mhz, not the Auto 20/40 Mhz. Im up to 150mbps at about 15 feet from the router with a couple walls in between.

 

doc,
i'm glad we could help you out-those are pics of our settings, as we have a g wifi printer and have to run in mixed g/n mode.

that may be as good as we can get it without going to d-link. as you can see in my sig we use the d-link mini express cards and they ROCK w/ the router....

thats one thing about the dir-655, it has loads of options/setiings, but sometimes they are overwhelming--> and you have to just test out the settings

also, d-link has a very good forum you might check out!!

EDIT-- did you upgrade the firmware on the router after install??

 

Not until I had already set up the network. I totally missed the channel width option. That was all me. The only reason I went with the USB Belkin N adapter was I had previously purchased a NetGear WNR-854T at Circuit City(BestBuy wasnt open at 9pm), found out it wasn't all that great, returned it for the D-Link(GREAT REVIEWS!!), had about 90 dollars left after the return. But Circuit City didnt have the D-Link express card. Ill probably try to get that next month and see about switching this USB Belkin over to the printer.

 

It is always recommended not to mix anything with "n" So make the dlink a wireless "n" access point only. Then get another router for "g". Use channel 11. This site has tons of great advise and tips. Plus well respected reviews.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/

 

sorry, I respectfuuly disagree........

the d-link dir 655 works fine in g/n mode, we get 300mbps w/ d-link adaprters as shown in my sig!!!!! it's not a problem at all!!!!!

 

Smallnetbuilder does reviews on networking products. And they take their job very serious. The reviews they do on different company products is very reliable. After reading his review on the dgl-4500 I went out and purchased it. Just because I was impressed with the product. I don't think dlink is bad at all. They have been putting out great products lately. But this isn't a dlink issue its a draft n issue. The dir 655 is a great product and has very little issues. Which is saying a lot for the product. But when smallnetbuilder did a mix sta test on that router. Both g and n took a 50 percent blow. He just couldnt complete attribute to the mixed because it would come and go. But any router he mixed had the same results. And only when they were mixed did they drop so harshly.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30087/96/1/8/
page 9 on his review over dir 655.

Adding !!!!! doesn't make what you say true. I'm sure you can hit 300mbps but not all the time it probably comes and goes. Smallnetbuilder said this and said you can't get around this problem with the current firmware. The dir-655 does better than most. Maybe this why you feel the way you do. But If you can and it does over a period of time, please show your proof. And share how you setup your network up so we too can have these results.

 

Also only having a wireless g printer is hardly a mixed network. Get a laptop with wireless g in your network and then try use the internet.

This is Doc's problem because he does have a wireless g laptop using his network. My suggestion to doc is to read the review of dir 655 and read a few how to's on www.smallnetbuilder.com site to get the max performance out of his equipment.

 

Well, I had to do some tweaking with my network last night because the laptop with the 11g connection kept dropping connection. Basically I had to drop the security to WPA, Im pretty sure that laptop is not WPA-2 friendly. Well my connection status still displays 150mps connection, but Ive noticed a drop in speed from just browsing and downloading files. And Im pretty sure that having a Belkin 2.0 USB N adapter is limiting my connection somehow also. But now I get the connection drop, but it really never occurs. Ill get the display saying "Disconnected from Network", but Ill still be browsing and downloading stuff, then the connection status goes back to the connected status. Just like nothing happened.

 

Hmm, well first why dont you try making your router wireless n only. Then put it on 5 Ghz. There is a guy on new egg who left a review on a dir 655. He said he got 300 mbs using a belkin adapter. Also do you have the last firmware for your router?

 

I have a dgl-4500 also. After much playing around, i found the best results to be making it an n-only router and running a g router separately. Of course that might not be an option for you. Also, just because your adapter says you have a 300mbs connection doesn't mean your sustained throughput will be anywhere close to that.

As you might already know, n has a more limited range through obstructions when compared with b/g. Throughput drops off sharply with increased range and with going through walls. Of course you don't need 100% to have the best speeds, but you want to keep it as high as possible as allowed by your layout.

A printer might not be a huge mixed network, but it still creates wireless traffic. Best bet is to have two routers or a router with dual radios.

Also upgrade the firmware if a new one exists as recommended by someone else.

IMHO.

 

I do have a NetGear WGT624v3 Super G router. Bought the DIR655 to replace it. But both of these routers only run at the 2.4Ghz freq.

 

doc, try things out for yourself. obviously from what others post they don't know the ins and outs of the dir655. they read reviews........ don't even know the freq's .....

even with our dir in mixed g]n mode, we still get a great signal in our computer shop that's about 125'-150' ft from our back door. Our desktop out there is using an "N" adapter and we have a mixture of laptops come through that we just stick various g/n adapters in, mainly d-link & netgear, if they have don't have a card, etc. The signal degradation is much less than expected, even with 5-10 pc's connected. We have graphed it's performance with WirelessMon, a few Linux programs etc., and it's impressive(signal strength and throughput).

So,make sure your firmware for the 655 is 1.11. Your best performance as I have already told you will be with the D-Link extreme n adapters. And I have found in 6 years as co-owner of a pc consulting & repair store, that the very best help and suggestions come directly from owners of the same router you own, that the other person(s) has installed/setup, sold, etc.

The D-Link forum is fantastic.

send me a pm anytime and we'll sort it out as best we can....

ann

 

Only 1 connection drop since setting up 2 AP's. One g only, other n only. Both running on 2.4Ghz freq. Also up to a 260mbps transfer rate(Peak Rate) so far. Lets see how it works during heavy ISP and network traffic tomorrow.

 

Well, just had 2 more drops. Nothing major. Anyone with a D-link router using the Network Magic app included with the router.

 

Haha ok just reviews. When even a network teacher who has at least 20 years of experience as a network admin. suggests to keep them apart---its probably a good idea. You might hit 270-300 but it wont stay there. Plus those "reviews" show proof and not hear-say.

 

@ Doc_HaLiDay

Stick w/ that setup till you get the d-link adapters, then things will zoom for you. Its amazing what you can obtain when you go w/ the same manufacturers equipment, since they are using proprietary components-that makes a big diff. After the final draft N is released in 2009, we'll see much more compatibility among the diff manufacturers equipment.

also, keep in mind that those so called tests at the referenced site were done at least 9 months ago using DIR 655 which looks like a h/w v.A1 and f/w v.1.03-04--> while we have h/w v.A2(upgraded) & f/w v.1.11(vastly improved).


The D-Link uses the atheros chip and that's what you need to match for maximum performance.

People coming to this forum generally want personal opinions based on actual experience gained by on hands use of a product. Well, I have used a lot of products in our business and through personal use over the past ~15 years. I try to keep things simple here, as most folks are turned off by purely technical responses that may go completely over their heads. Lots of times it's the simplest solution that fixes a problem, that has just simply been overlooked.
ann

 

Here's another little thing I've noticed. While the Dlink is set to n only mode, if I go to the Status tab then go to the wireless submenu, it will give me the MAC address, IP address of all wireless connections to the router. The connection to my laptop with the n adapter the status says "11gn" mode. But again the router is set to n only mode. Also, while checking for wireless connections, the connection for the Dlink shows up as a 802.11g network. Probably nothing major, just something I've noticed.

 

Hey you started it. I made a simple suggestion. You made your comment so I told why I said what I said with the same comments directed to you. I was a tech for 4 years in a small business. I have made my share of service calls setting up what was best for the customer. If they didn't get the speed and reliability then I would have to go back out and make them happy. That is why I had mention two routers. You know how customers are; being in the business. So I give what they want. Doc wants a reliable connection and in my experience when running "n" two routers did the job better.

Your right at it isn't the simplest but due to houses having a lot more things to interfere with the signal. You need to give "n" the best signal possible. But you do have 2 more years experience on me so sure I will give you that. I agree most of the time simple is better. But I have had better luck with 2 routers.

Really, come on, earn? I came to this forum with my own questions and to share what I know. I didn't come here to gather little points, I didn't read in the forum rules that this is a little contest. If you are going to tell me your way is better I want to know why. Or don't tell me at all.

 

doc, you're giving me a headache

so, is that with just the n router on? g turned off?

sometimes the software w/ the cards/adapters don't report the correct mode, or if you have both routers on, the laptops will often pick up g also and report it, etc.

in any case, 260mbps is actually great, since you're not using a d-link adapter. and you have to remember, the 260 is network speed, not your internet speed. The major advantage of "n" is network speed-> transferring large files, gaming in house, etc. For instance my isp max down is around 15mbps and 1-2 up.... I can download all day, but I'm not going to get past the limits of my isp......

 

can somebody PLEASE!!!!! help me!!!
i got a laptop with Wireless internet from
File Title: Azurewave (Atheros) Wireless LAN adapter drivers
File Version: 7.2.0.164
one time i got internet, next moment i dont
the light on my notebook needs to be on
but the thing keeps flikkering
i was thingin mabye i should update my BIOS? =S
i already got the all the drivers i need. everything works exept my wireless internet

please help me im totaly clueless bout what to do....

 

With the n router on and the g router off. Im not to worried about it though. The drops arent as frequent or as long with the dual routers.But I'll definitely find out how this setup works once I get the two 360's back and running, with a couple Wii's thrown in there. I WILL be getting a Dlink wireless card adapter. The trouble will be finding an ExpressCard version.

 

doc
we got 2 brand new ones off ebay for a real good price......... for Under $40, including shipping, and that looks like the going price now for an express card

D-Link N Express Card Link

 

I typically like to buy most of my computing hardware in person, even if its purchasing online and picking up at the store. Its just a preference. I REALLY need to start looking at online stores. Funny isnt it?

 

If you put your g router were your xboxs are at then you can open 3 ethernet ports up for other devises. We have friends come over with their 360s and link them up. Which means shorter cables you have to purchase. My "n" router is at my modem and my g router is at the tv. Its about 50 feet of cable going through the walls and what not. But you can go 100 feet before the signal needs help.

Doc wait for this adapter. http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=656 This one will be able to get on 5ghz. Less traffic and better chance to a stronger signal. I thought you had a duo freq. adapter. I read your other post wrong. My bad.

Im running the dwa643 and it has driver issues with vista64. That is dlinks express pci n adaptor. Its also not 5 ghz. I will be getting dwa160 once it comes out.

 

@ doc-- you should really check out the online stores..... we got those dwa643 for under $40 each, inc shipping. We went that route when we bought 25 of the dir 655's to sell and for our use. Well my bf had a hp w/ a broadcom card and it didn't perform well at all. we had intell cards in a few older laptop, etc. A firend had the dwa643 adapter and was using it when we were gaming- it rocked. So we went ahead and got 2 at that time for our personal pc's. we also tried several routers b4 deciding on the dir--> cost & features.....
we used a few linux programs that i won't mention here to look and performance, signal strenght. A real user friendly program is wirelesmon- you can see all available networks, security, signal, etc. What I like is you can turn on the graph feature and look at the signal strength and dropouts, etc. Then you start to see if it's the router, the adapter or what......
It has a 30 day free trial, but some features aren't enabled, can't remeber for sure. But we use it all the time and just use it from our laptops when we set up customers wifi networks. You might check it out-->

WirelesMon 2 Link

 

hello, which wifi driver i must install on my laptop asus x50r under win xp,
i tried a lot of them but no one work correctly (the wireless device is installed but not wok correctly code10)
please can anyone help?

 

pls let us know what card you have in your laptop.......

 

Wireless LAN 802.11b/g
i download drivers from official site asus but wifi not workin
the drivers is atheros

 

Who made the wireless card(Realtek, BroadComm, etc..)? Also, have you rebooted your laptop since installing the drivers? Just making sure the basics are taking care of before getting into anything else.

 

Thought I'd butt in here to say that I'm having the SAME issue. I've got my DIR-655 set to n ONLY. And yet under the status tab, it says my laptop is connected via 11g. I'm also only reaching speeds of 130 Mbps.

Would changing my router settings help here? I haven't tinkered with them at all. Considering changing them as described in the pics on page 1 of this thread.

*edit* all my router settings are the same as those pictured. Resulting in NO change to my speed what so ever.

 

hey smooth

i bet you have the Intel 4965AGN card, or close to it

you won't get better than 130, like the rest of us. It doesn't play well with the dlink atheros chip. At this point, to get 270 or 300mbps you need a dlinlk n extreme adapter........

it showing 11g is no biggie- same problem here even when I change my settings to n only.........

 

Is final N really not coming out until 2009? I thought it was closer than that, for some reason.

 

I'm pretty sure its 100 meters not feet on the cat5/5e/6. So unless you have a HUGE house you can go anywhere in the house and be fine.

Instead of a D-link, what would you suggest getting that will play with Intel better?

 

I've got the 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card. Does this card not communicate with the 655 properly? Kinda bummed....I was looking forward to mind blowing speeds.