Wireless Connection Speed

retiredmilitary · 11-22-2006, 06:08 AM

Is it normal to lose up to 75% of downstream internet connection speed when using wireless versus when wired? If not what Just started wireless. Wirelss connection shows anywhere from 11Mbps to 54Mbps signal. ISP: Cox Cable: Cable internet connection purchased is for 15Mbps. Modem/Router: Linksys WCG200. When wired show about 9-11 Mbps. When wireless, downstream is anywhere from 1.5-3 Mbps. If not normal any suggestions on how to fix?:

**johnwill** · 11-22-2006, 07:03 AM

You can expect to lose at least 50% of the connected speed in a 802.11b/g connection, and that figure can go up if you employ encryption on the link, or have other wireless interference. Another factor is multiple connections to the same wireless AP. 802.11 operates on a contention basis and is also half-duplex.

All of these factors conspire to make WiFi connections much slower than wired connections.

I recently did an experiment with wired and wireless connections and file sharing. I tried file copies both ways of a 200mb file using both wired and wireless connections, in my case 802.11g with excellent signal strength.

Wired on a 100mbit link I got around 9mb/sec transfer rates both ways, and wireless I get 2.0 read and 2.3 write speeds. This is with essentially a perfect 802.11g connection.

retiredmilitary · 11-22-2006, 07:29 AM

Thanks. ANd if tonights effort doesn't provide better results on setting up the security (WEP/WPA, etc) than last nights effort did for my wireless connection, I will have another post for one of the forums.

And I also just realized that I need to do a better editing job on my posts as well.

11-22-2006, 06:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
retiredmilitary Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Wireless Connection Speed Is it normal to lose up to 75% of downstream internet connection speed when using wireless versus when wired? If not what Just started wireless. Wirelss connection shows anywhere from 11Mbps to 54Mbps signal. ISP: Cox Cable: Cable internet connection purchased is for 15Mbps. Modem/Router: Linksys WCG200. When wired show about 9-11 Mbps. When wireless, downstream is anywhere from 1.5-3 Mbps. If not normal any suggestions on how to fix?:

11-22-2006, 07:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,983 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	You can expect to lose at least 50% of the connected speed in a 802.11b/g connection, and that figure can go up if you employ encryption on the link, or have other wireless interference. Another factor is multiple connections to the same wireless AP. 802.11 operates on a contention basis and is also half-duplex. All of these factors conspire to make WiFi connections much slower than wired connections. I recently did an experiment with wired and wireless connections and file sharing. I tried file copies both ways of a 200mb file using both wired and wireless connections, in my case 802.11g with excellent signal strength. Wired on a 100mbit link I got around 9mb/sec transfer rates both ways, and wireless I get 2.0 read and 2.3 write speeds. This is with essentially a perfect 802.11g connection. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-22-2006, 07:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
retiredmilitary Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Thanks. ANd if tonights effort doesn't provide better results on setting up the security (WEP/WPA, etc) than last nights effort did for my wireless connection, I will have another post for one of the forums. And I also just realized that I need to do a better editing job on my posts as well.