The speed of a wireless network depends on several factors particularly the protocols being used. The signal range a WiFi wireless network supports also affects its overall speed. These frequently asked questions cover the essential concepts in wireless network performance.
How Fast is Wireless Networking?
The speed of a wireless network depends on several factors including the Wi-Fi technology standards it supports.
How Fast Is 802.11g WiFi?
The 802.11g standard for wireless networking supports a maximum bandwidth of 54 Mbps. Yet some 802.11g-compatible home networking products may advertise speeds of 108 Mbps or more. How fast, then, is 802.11g Wi-Fi networking?
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What is the Actual Speed of an 802.11b Wi-Fi Network?
The theoretical bandwidth of an 802.11b Wi-Fi wireless connection is 11 Mbps. However, this level of performance is never realized in practice due to network overhead and other factors.
How Strong Is Your WiFi Wireless Signal?
The performance of a WiFi wireless network connection depends in part on the strength of radio signals between the devices. Several different methods are available for calculating wireless signal strength.
How Fast is a Cell Phone Modem?
Most cell phones can be used as a computer modem for portable Internet access. Cell phone modem speeds vary greatly but are generally much slower than residential Internet services.
Why Does My WiFi Data Rate Keep Changing?
Wi-Fi network connections automatically adjust their data rate (connection speed) based on the quality of the communication signal. Sometimes called "dynamic rate scaling," this feature of Wi-Fi extends the range at which wireless devices can connect to each other.
What is the Signal Range of a Wi-Fi LAN?
The range of a typical home Wi-Fi LAN varies substantially depending on a few key factors.
How Can the Range of a WiFi Network Be Extended?
Boost the coverage of your wireless LAN by strategically adding more equipment. Alternatively, a few simple tweaks to your router (access point) may also do the trick.
Can The Signal Range of a Wi-Fi Laptop be Increased?
When using a laptop with public hotspots, a strong wireless signal is necessary. Laptops with limited range are likely to suffer from slow or dropped Internet connections. Here are some ideas for improving the signal strength and range of a laptop to ensure best possible connectivity.
Which Wireless Router Has the Best WiFi Signal?
Consumer wireless routers vary in the WiFi range they support. Routers with stronger WiFi signals allow devices to connect at higher speeds from a greater distance and stay connected more reliably. Which wireless router then, has the best WiFi range?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Network Speed Tweaks - Connection Speed
Tweak the performance of your Internet or other network connection using these easy tips and tricks to optimize network speed.
DSL and Cable Broadband Speed Tweaks
Broadband tweaks are optimizations you can make to your computer and local network to increase the performance of your broadband Internet connection.
Do Internet Speed Optimization Tweaks Work?
Speed tweaks promise to optimize your Internet connection so you can, for example, play online games with less lag. Do they work?
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Download Accelerator Plus - Find Free and DAP Premium Downloads
Download Accelerator Plus is available as both a free package and a paid Premium version. Download managers like Accelerator Plus and Premium better utilize the bandwidth of home network connections.
TCP Optimizer
This Windows utility automatically tunes your computer's TCP/IP network settings for improved performance.
DSL and Cable Broadband Speed Tweaks
Broadband tweaks are optimizations you can make to your computer and local network to increase the performance of your broadband Internet connection.
Do Internet Speed Optimization Tweaks Work?
Speed tweaks promise to optimize your Internet connection so you can, for example, play online games with less lag. Do they work?
zSB(3,3)
Download Accelerator Plus - Find Free and DAP Premium Downloads
Download Accelerator Plus is available as both a free package and a paid Premium version. Download managers like Accelerator Plus and Premium better utilize the bandwidth of home network connections.
TCP Optimizer
This Windows utility automatically tunes your computer's TCP/IP network settings for improved performance.
TCP/IP Network Performance - Benchmarks and Tools
Utility software that measures TCP/IP performance at the application or protocol level can be helpful in benchmarking, troubleshooting and tuning of both local and Internet network connections. These five programs are among the most popular and proven benchmark tools for the job.
Netperf
An engineer at Hewlett-Packard developed Netperf to help the Unix network benchmarking community many years ago, and this benchmarking tool remains popular in Unix / Linux environments today.
NetSpec
NetSpec strives to implement more realistic network performance testing scenarios than the standard utilities by acocunting for variable traffic flows. NetSpec is an academic research project that includes source code.
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Nettest
Nettest is a simple latency and bendwidth performance benchmark for point-to-point TCP connections on Solaris and Linux.
TTCP
The Test TCP (TTCP) Benchmarking Tool measures network performance at the TCP and UDP level. Originally developed for Unix, TTCP has also been ported to Windows and other operating systems.
DBS - Distributed Benchmark System
The Distributed Benchmark System (DBS) is a performance benchmark tool for TCP/IP networks that attempts to expand on the capability of other tools in this category. DBS supports retransmission control and congestion avoidance performance evaluation across multiple dynamic connections.
Netperf
An engineer at Hewlett-Packard developed Netperf to help the Unix network benchmarking community many years ago, and this benchmarking tool remains popular in Unix / Linux environments today.
NetSpec
NetSpec strives to implement more realistic network performance testing scenarios than the standard utilities by acocunting for variable traffic flows. NetSpec is an academic research project that includes source code.
zSB(3,3)
Nettest
Nettest is a simple latency and bendwidth performance benchmark for point-to-point TCP connections on Solaris and Linux.
TTCP
The Test TCP (TTCP) Benchmarking Tool measures network performance at the TCP and UDP level. Originally developed for Unix, TTCP has also been ported to Windows and other operating systems.
DBS - Distributed Benchmark System
The Distributed Benchmark System (DBS) is a performance benchmark tool for TCP/IP networks that attempts to expand on the capability of other tools in this category. DBS supports retransmission control and congestion avoidance performance evaluation across multiple dynamic connections.
Introduction to Computer Network Speed
Bandwidth in computer networking refers to the data rate supported by a network connection or interface. Network bandwidth is not the only factor that contributes to the perceived speed of a network. A lesser known but other key element of network performance - latency - also plays an important role.
What Is Network Bandwidth?
Bandwidth is the primary measure of computer network speed. Virtually everyone knows the bandwidth rating of their modem or their Internet service that is prominently advertised on network products sold today.
In networking, bandwidth represents the overall capacity of the connection. The greater the capacity, the more likely that better performance will result. Bandwidth is the amount of data that passes through a network connection over time as measured in bps.
Bandwidth can refer to both actual and theoretical throughput, and it is important to distinguish between the two. For example, a standard dialup modem supports 56 Kbps of peak bandwidth, but due to physical limitations of telephone lines and other factors, a dialup connection cannot support more than 53 Kbps of bandwidth (about 10% less than maximum) in practice. Likewise a traditional Ethernet network theoretically supports 100 Mbps of bandwidth, but this maximum amount cannot reasonably be achieved due to overhead in the computer hardware and operating systems.
Broadband and Other High Bandwidth Connections
The term high bandwidth is sometimes used to distinguish faster broadband Internet connections from traditional dialup or cellular network speeds. Definitions vary, but high bandwidth connections generally support data rates of minimum 64 Kbps (and usually 300 Kbps or higher). Broadband is just one type of high bandwidth network communication method.
Measuring Network Bandwidth
Numerous tools exist for administrators to measure the bandwidth of network connections. On LANs (local area networks), these tools include netperf and ttcp. On the Internet, numerous bandwidth / speed test programs exist, most available for free online use.
Even with these tools at your disposal, bandwidth utilization is difficult to measure precisely as it varies over time depending on the configuration of hardware and characteristics of software applications including how they are being used.
What Is Network Bandwidth?
Bandwidth is the primary measure of computer network speed. Virtually everyone knows the bandwidth rating of their modem or their Internet service that is prominently advertised on network products sold today.
In networking, bandwidth represents the overall capacity of the connection. The greater the capacity, the more likely that better performance will result. Bandwidth is the amount of data that passes through a network connection over time as measured in bps.
Bandwidth can refer to both actual and theoretical throughput, and it is important to distinguish between the two. For example, a standard dialup modem supports 56 Kbps of peak bandwidth, but due to physical limitations of telephone lines and other factors, a dialup connection cannot support more than 53 Kbps of bandwidth (about 10% less than maximum) in practice. Likewise a traditional Ethernet network theoretically supports 100 Mbps of bandwidth, but this maximum amount cannot reasonably be achieved due to overhead in the computer hardware and operating systems.
Broadband and Other High Bandwidth Connections
The term high bandwidth is sometimes used to distinguish faster broadband Internet connections from traditional dialup or cellular network speeds. Definitions vary, but high bandwidth connections generally support data rates of minimum 64 Kbps (and usually 300 Kbps or higher). Broadband is just one type of high bandwidth network communication method.
Measuring Network Bandwidth
Numerous tools exist for administrators to measure the bandwidth of network connections. On LANs (local area networks), these tools include netperf and ttcp. On the Internet, numerous bandwidth / speed test programs exist, most available for free online use.
Even with these tools at your disposal, bandwidth utilization is difficult to measure precisely as it varies over time depending on the configuration of hardware and characteristics of software applications including how they are being used.
Tips for Troubleshooting Slow Internet Connections
This checklist describes common causes for slow Internet connections. A poor-performing connection can be caused by broadband router configuration issues, wireless interference, or any of several other technical issues with your home network. Follow these steps to diagnose slow Internet connections.
1). Broadband Router Settings
As the centerpiece of a network, a broadband router can be responsible for slow Internet connections if configured improperly. For example, the MTU setting of your router will lead to performance issues if set too high or too low. Ensure your router's settings are all consistent with the manufacturer's and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) recommendations. Carefully record any changes you make to your router's configuration so that you can undo them later if necessary.
2). Wireless Signal Interference
Wi-Fi and other types of wireless connections may perform poorly due to signal interference, which requires computers to continually resend messages to overcome signal issues. Household appliances and even your neighbors' wireless networks can interfere with your computers. To avoid slow Internet connections due to signal interference, reposition your router for better performance and change your Wi-Fi channel number.
3). Internet Worms
An Internet worm is a malicious software program that spreads through computer networks. If any of your computers are infected by an Internet worm, they may begin spontaneously generating network traffic without your knowledge, causing your Internet connection to appear slow. Run antivirus software regularly to diagnose and remove these worms from your computers.
4). Running Background Applications
Some software applications you install on a computer run in the background, quietly consuming network resources. Unlike worms, these are programs designed to do useful work. Peer to peer (P2P) programs in particular can heavily utilize your network and cause connections to appear slow. It's easy to forget these applications are running. Always check computers for any programs running in the background when troubleshooting a slow network.
5). Faulty Network Equipment
When routers, modems or cables fail, they typically won't support connections. Certain technical glitches in network equipment, however, adversely affect performance even though connections are maintained. To troubleshoot potentially faulty equipment, temporarily re-arrange and re-configure your gear while experimenting with different configurations. Try bypassing the router, swapping cables and changing network adapters to isolate the slow performance to a specific component of the system.
6). Service Provider Issues
Internet speed ultimately depends on the service provider. Your ISP may change their network's configuration, or suffer technical difficulties, that inadvertently cause your Internet connection to run slow. ISPs may also intentionally install filters or controls on the network that can lower your performance. Don't hesitate to contact your service provider if you suspect they are responsible for a slow Internet connection.
1). Broadband Router Settings
As the centerpiece of a network, a broadband router can be responsible for slow Internet connections if configured improperly. For example, the MTU setting of your router will lead to performance issues if set too high or too low. Ensure your router's settings are all consistent with the manufacturer's and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) recommendations. Carefully record any changes you make to your router's configuration so that you can undo them later if necessary.
2). Wireless Signal Interference
Wi-Fi and other types of wireless connections may perform poorly due to signal interference, which requires computers to continually resend messages to overcome signal issues. Household appliances and even your neighbors' wireless networks can interfere with your computers. To avoid slow Internet connections due to signal interference, reposition your router for better performance and change your Wi-Fi channel number.
3). Internet Worms
An Internet worm is a malicious software program that spreads through computer networks. If any of your computers are infected by an Internet worm, they may begin spontaneously generating network traffic without your knowledge, causing your Internet connection to appear slow. Run antivirus software regularly to diagnose and remove these worms from your computers.
4). Running Background Applications
Some software applications you install on a computer run in the background, quietly consuming network resources. Unlike worms, these are programs designed to do useful work. Peer to peer (P2P) programs in particular can heavily utilize your network and cause connections to appear slow. It's easy to forget these applications are running. Always check computers for any programs running in the background when troubleshooting a slow network.
5). Faulty Network Equipment
When routers, modems or cables fail, they typically won't support connections. Certain technical glitches in network equipment, however, adversely affect performance even though connections are maintained. To troubleshoot potentially faulty equipment, temporarily re-arrange and re-configure your gear while experimenting with different configurations. Try bypassing the router, swapping cables and changing network adapters to isolate the slow performance to a specific component of the system.
6). Service Provider Issues
Internet speed ultimately depends on the service provider. Your ISP may change their network's configuration, or suffer technical difficulties, that inadvertently cause your Internet connection to run slow. ISPs may also intentionally install filters or controls on the network that can lower your performance. Don't hesitate to contact your service provider if you suspect they are responsible for a slow Internet connection.
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