Decipher the speed information

[Dianneathome]

I am trying to understand the connection information concerning my router and wireless nic card. It's not necessarily that I think I am slow, I would just like to know that it is optimal.

I have Road Runner as my ISP (supposedly the fastest). I have a Netgear 108Mbps Wireless Firewall Router WGT624. A Netgear WG111T 108Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter. A Dell Dimension 2400 P4, 2.8 gHz w/1MB RAM.

Yesterday I ran a dslreports speed test and the results were 5613 Kbs down and 522 Kbs up.

On my "network connection" icon my connection speed is always listed as 108.0 Mbps, but if I open my Netgear WG111T Smart Wizard Wireless Assistant amoung the info listed accross the bottom is as follows: the antenna icon w/my "network name" that I am connected to, "connected to the internet", a "lock" icon, channell 11, 36 Mbps, and the signal strength is always 100%.

My question is this: in that info provided in the wireless assistant, the speed always flucuates between 36 - 56 Mbps, never 108Mbps. What speed is this that is being listed and why is it never 108Mbps???

[johnwill]

Wireless connections suffer from a variety of factors, the range to the AP/router, wireless interference, etc. 108mhz is the ideal speed for that device, but you'll only see it under ideal conditions.

[Dianneathome]

the wireless router is located 5 feet from the wireless adapter, the signal strength is always listed as excellent. I am assuming the interference is minimal since I have it on a different channell than the other networks I see that are broadcasting. There is no other equipment in this room and my phone is 5.8 gHz. I guess I don't have any interference? How would I know that?

I feel like I should be able to get the router to perform at it's potential. 36 Mbps is a far cry from 108 Mbps. Am I asking the question correctly?

[johnwill]

Well, something is obviously getting in the way. Remember that you need to be about 4 channels away from any other wireless networks to completely be free of interference. Also, other 2.4ghz devices like phones, microwave ovens, etc. can also affect wireless communications. Finally, you may have configuration issues with one or both of the devices.

[Dianneathome]

there are 4 other networks broadcasting that I can see. The channel they are on are listed as 1, 6, 11 & 4 - all (g). The mode listed on all is "access point". The closest signal is 56%, then 42, 29 & 27.

I guess I could try to find another place to plug in my modem and router, but would I notice a difference? Am I obessing about something that makes no difference?

[johnwill]

You have your answer. You have a number of wireless networks, and they're occupying the center channel of your "turbo" bandwidth at channel 6. I suggest again configuring it for plain 802.11g and setting the channel to channel 8 or 9, they're the best choices for what your environment is. Wireless interference is almost surely the issue.

If you're REALLY set on getting this to work at maximum speed, try adding this Hawking [HSB2] Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster, which can be used on either end of a wireless connection to boost the signal power. You can also add something like this Hawking [HAI7SIP] Hi-Gain 7dBi Omni-Directional Antenna to the router and/or wireless computer to boost the signal strength even more.

This won't make you popular with the neighbors with those wireless networks, but your signal will stand tall in the crowd.