Belkin N Wireless Router Dictating Speed?

[ThrowingToys]

Have recently purchased said modem/router (F5D8633-4) as my old router finally gave out. I set the router up and connected to the internet without any problems so that's ok.

My problem is now with the speed that i am achieving which appears to be dictated by my router (running wireless or directly connected, the numbers are the same). Depending what connection i use (PPoA/E, VC MUX/LLC) i can change the data rate my router connects to my ISP with. I can then run a speed test for my ISP and get the same numbers back. Basically i can get a low connection rate with the router and then confirm that with the ISP speed test, change the connection type and get a higher value and once again confirm that with the ISP speed test. Whats the problem i hear you say?

The highest speed i can get is now 1504Kbps, it used to be 2444Kbps. These values have only changed since the new router was plugged in. Those transfer rates directly effect my IP profile which, due to the 1504 rate is now down to 1000Kbps.

Am i being paranoid? Could my router have an impact/dictate my speed? i think not but then again, from where im sat, it does look that way.

any ideas?

[ThrowingToys]

Ok, this is getting really odd now. I have just updated the firmware of the router and now have a data transfer of 1664Kbps, confirmed with a speed test. I then turned off the built in firewall and ended up with a 1600Kbps data transfer rate, again confirmed with the speed test.

At this point in time i am loathe to do anything else in case i drop the speed even further, unless anyone has any ideas.

[johnwill]

I can't imagine the router limiting you to that degree. Did you reset to factory defaults and reconfigure with the firmware upgrade? Have you talked to the ISP?

This is a modem/router combo, right?

[ThrowingToys]

Yes, modem/router combo.

When i found out that there was a more up to date firmware release i reset the router to factory default and then installed the newer firmware then went about setting up the connection, thats when i got my best speed of yet, 1664Kbps.

I'm wondering if this could be the repercussions from the fault with my old router (failing to sync) and my ISP being automatic for speed is now catching up. I think the only way im going to find out if thats the issue is to just leave things as they are and see if the speed improves over the next few days or so.

[johnwill]

Let's do some tests...


Register at DSLReports and run their Line Quality Tests. It's best to run this test with a direct wired connection to eliminate any wireless issues from the results. It's useful many times to run this test several times, and we'd like to see each of the results. Post the results link from the top of the test display page for each test run here.

The link to post is near the top of the page and looks like:

If you wish to post this result to a forum, please copy/paste this URL
http://www.dslreports.com/linequality/nil/2357195 <- sample only, yours will obviously be different!
and your IP will be disguised.

Copy/paste that link here.

Note: You will have to enable PING (ICMP) request response either in your router (if you have one), or in your computer's firewall for direct modem connections. This is very important to get the most important part of the test to run.


DSLReports

Here's also the Line Quality Tests FAQ to help you understand the results. This will answer some questions about the line quality display.

[ThrowingToys]

http://www.dslreports.com/testhistory/1687462/37616

Ok, thats the first one, will run other tests throughout the day and post subsequent results.

[ThrowingToys]

I really am starting to think that there is no problem with my line and that the fault is in the router. I have messed about abit, by just going to the connections page within the router, not changing any of the settings there and just hitting apply changes. This had the effect of changing the rate of the data transfer, each time getting a lower rate and each time confirmed with a speed test to the ISP.

It got so low that eventually i had to reset to factory defaults and set up the connection again. I am now at a staggering 1632Kbps which is like my line running at 55%. Seriously considering digging out an old G modem/router and giving that a go. The line is slow enough as it is without having the router lower it even further and giving me no way to change it.

[ThrowingToys]

Posted the wrong link, sorry..

http://www.dslreports.com/linequality/nil/2583988
http://www.dslreports.com/linequality/nil/2584020

also, cant seem to find the edit button.

[johnwill]

Well, you do have some drops there.

Clearly, since you have another router, I'd try that for a few days and see if that changes things. Note that unless you're file sharing, you won't see any real benefit from 802.11n connections, I get a full 20mbit/5mbit connection from any of my laptops to my Verizon FiOS connection, no need for 802.11n just for Internet access.