Internet Speeds, Questions...

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by LoneStar

Try plugging the computer directly into the modem and running a test. If you still only get 33 Mbps then you're more than likely receiving slower service than you're paying for (however, Internet service is isually advertised as "max speed" so you'll usually only get that speed when there isn't much traffic through your ISP, usually in the early morning hours). If the test shows near 100 Mbps then its likely you're being limited by the wireless hardware at your computer. That particular modem is a dual-band modem; is your computer able to detect 2 different wifi signals coming from that modem?

I was sort of curious about the dual band that I read on the box. wasn't sure what that meant. How do I know if it detects 2 different wifi signals? when I open up the wifi, it shows maybe 10-15 wifi options from people around me. I just selected the one that was on the bottom of the modem. And there was only that one that I saw.

[45thAnniversary2SS]

You can also help out your wireless network by choosing a channel that is as far away from surrounding networks as possible.

For example if your neighbor is using channel 10, you should try using a low channel.

[LoneStar]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

I was sort of curious about the dual band that I read on the box. wasn't sure what that meant. How do I know if it detects 2 different wifi signals? when I open up the wifi, it shows maybe 10-15 wifi options from people around me. I just selected the one that was on the bottom of the modem. And there was only that one that I saw.

Dual band means that there are two wireless channels operating at the same time. The more common channel that practically every wifi device uses is on the 2.4Ghz frequency, while some newer devices use a 5 Ghz frequency (which is less crowded and has less interference from other devices like cordless phones, radio controllers, etc) that allows for faster speeds. The main benefit of a dual band is that you can set up slower streaming devices like your phones and laptops if they're used mainly for browsing and email, while setting up devices that benefit from faster data speeds like systems that are used for gaming and video streaming.

I think netgear uses "Netgear 2.4 G" for the 2.4 Ghz band and "Netgear Dualband N" for the 5Ghz band. I can't remember exactly what names netgear uses for their wifi since I changed mine a while back. Mine are "Firecracker" for the 2.4 and "Rocket" for the 5, lol.

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by LoneStar

Dual band means that there are two wireless channels operating at the same time. The more common channel that practically every wifi device uses is on the 2.4Ghz frequency, while some newer devices use a 5 Ghz frequency (which is less crowded and has less interference from other devices like cordless phones, radio controllers, etc) that allows for faster speeds. The main benefit of a dual band is that you can set up slower streaming devices like your phones and laptops if they're used mainly for browsing and email, while setting up devices that benefit from faster data speeds like systems that are used for gaming and video streaming.

I think netgear uses "Netgear 2.4 G" for the 2.4 Ghz band and "Netgear Dualband N" for the 5Ghz band. I can't remember exactly what names netgear uses for their wifi since I changed mine a while back. Mine are "Firecracker" for the 2.4 and "Rocket" for the 5, lol.

wow, that is awesome. I'll have to mess around with it. would be great to put the xbox and computer on the 5Ghz band.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

Great info, thanks! I'm currently in an Apartment. Fairly new complex. I'd say 5 years old, at the most, but I suppose they could have still used cheap wiring. I'm not sure if I can just ask the cable company to switch stuff out, or if i'd have to contact the apartment complex. If it's a huge hassle, then i'll just have to live with what I have, until we purchase a house.

Since you are in an apartment I guess that wouldn't be an option. I was just throwing that out there. As someone else mentioned that 100mbs is a Peak number. Fine print on my contract has "speeds are not guaranteed".

[ClawSS]

just for giggles... try this one

Internet connectivity speed test

[PT145SS]

My netgear router is dual band. I have 3 TVs, my son's xbox, and 1 ipad that run through the 5 ghz connection. Most everything else connects through the 2.4 ghz connection or are wired. I personally have not realized any discernible difference between the two wireless connections. One would expect a difference in favor of the 5 ghz (given it is configured correctly for the given usage). Unfortunately I change just about everything I can on the router so that nothing is “out of the box” to help prevent hacking. With that said, I may have changed something prevents me from realizing a true difference between wireless connections.

[VeeGeeTea]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

I upgraded our internet to 100Mbps download speed. I ran a speed test through the wireless computer and we were only getting 13.4Mbps. Checked out my hardware and the modem was a DOCSIS 2.0 and the router was also an outdated one, and only good for maybe one computer using internet. So, I went to best buy and purchased a Netgear N600 C3700 Modem/Router combo. Got it all hooked up, called my internet provider and all was good to go. I ran another speed test and it did improve a lot, 33Mbps. My only question is, what is everyone else's download speed and what speed are you paying for? 33Mbps still seems a bit slow for the 100Mbps that I'm paying for. If I downgrade to the 50Mbps download speed package, would I still be getting the 33Mbps, or will that go down?

Hello.

First of all, never use a modem router combo, these generally slower than their counter part.Get a dedicated modem and a Linksys router with wireless N/AC capability so you can support speed over 54Mbps.

Secondly, on the system that you're doing the test with. Make sure that your wireless adapter isn't A/B/G. You're only limited to 54Mbps with these.

Finally, depending on the strength of the wireless signal or if there are any interference, you may not get the 100Mbps advertised.

I recommend you looking in to a wireless Power line solution by Linksys.
All you need to do is plug the modem in to the source power line hub.
Plug any additional wireless hub in rooms of your house.
This will ensure 100% signal where ever you go.

Thanks

[kalimus]

Also remember that most ISP's rate their throughput in megabits, while your computer or speed test may be displaying megabytes.

100 Mbps is actually 12.5 MBps. I see people make this mistake all the time.

I should clarify by saying it doesn't sound like that's what you're doing, but I'm not sure what tool you're using to verify your speed.

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by VeeGeeTea

Hello.

First of all, never use a modem router combo, these generally slower than their counter part.Get a dedicated modem and a Linksys router with wireless N/AC capability so you can support speed over 54Mbps.

Secondly, on the system that you're doing the test with. Make sure that your wireless adapter isn't A/B/G. You're only limited to 54Mbps with these.

Finally, depending on the strength of the wireless signal or if there are any interference, you may not get the 100Mbps advertised.

I recommend you looking in to a wireless Power line solution by Linksys.
All you need to do is plug the modem in to the source power line hub.
Plug any additional wireless hub in rooms of your house.
This will ensure 100% signal where ever you go.

Thanks

The modem/router combo I bought advertises up to 340Mbps download speed. it also says up to 300 + 300Mbps, assuming that's for each band. I know i'll never get that much, or ever need that much, but I over bought since I figured it's better to have too much than not enough. lol It's also DOCSIS 3.0 and 802.11n. From all the reviews, it seemed like a good purchase.

As for the wireless computer and not being A/B/G, i'm not sure what that means. The wireless card in my dell is an Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 + Bluetooth 4.0, if that helps.

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by kalimus

Also remember that most ISP's rate their throughput in megabits, while your computer or speed test may be displaying megabytes.

100 Mbps is actually 12.5 MBps. I see people make this mistake all the time.

I should clarify by saying it doesn't sound like that's what you're doing, but I'm not sure what tool you're using to verify your speed.

This is interesting. I didn't even think of that. I will run more tests when I get home. I'm using the speed test from cox.

[kalimus]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

The modem/router combo I bought advertises up to 340Mbps download speed. it also says up to 300 + 300Mbps, assuming that's for each band. I know i'll never get that much, or ever need that much, but I over bought since I figured it's better to have too much than not enough. lol It's also DOCSIS 3.0 and 802.11n. From all the reviews, it seemed like a good purchase.

As for the wireless computer and not being A/B/G, i'm not sure what that means. The wireless card in my dell is an Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 + Bluetooth 4.0, if that helps.

I've never had good luck with the modem/wireless router combos. I have a DOCSIS 3.0 and a separate wireless router. I'm assuming your modem/router has physical Ethernet ports, you might try plugging your computer directly in and running your tests just to see if it's the wireless portion causing the issue.

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

This is interesting. I didn't even think of that. I will run more tests when I get home. I'm using the speed test from cox.

If you're using the one from Cox, it's probably in Mbps to match what they advertise. Even though it's cable, your speeds will depend on how far you are from their trunk, and the number of people you share that connection with. The problems with that aren't as bad as they are with DSL, but it can still suffer if you share with a lot of people.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by kalimus

I've never had good luck with the modem/wireless router combos. I have a DOCSIS 3.0 and a separate wireless router. I'm assuming your modem/router has physical Ethernet ports, you might try plugging your computer directly in and running your tests just to see if it's the wireless portion causing the issue.



If you're using the one from Cox, it's probably in Mbps to match what they advertise. Even though it's cable, your speeds will depend on how far you are from their trunk, and the number of people you share that connection with. The problems with that aren't as bad as they are with DSL, but it can still suffer if you share with a lot of people.

I took the dual modem / router supplied by the cable company and connected it to a dual speed wireless router through the ethernet cable. I also have my TV hooked to the cable modem through an ethernet cable. It is super fast that way. All my security cameras and remote light switches are run through the secondary router . Mine is an Asus, I bought a Netgear first and it was terribly slow and short range. It wouldn't even hook up from one end of my house to the other even though I had it in the center of the house. The box said extra long range on it LOL. My Asus has full strength all over my house and only loses one bar outside in my workshop.

[LoneStar]

Originally Posted by VeeGeeTea

Hello.

First of all, never use a modem router combo, these generally slower than their counter part.Get a dedicated modem and a Linksys router with wireless N/AC capability so you can support speed over 54Mbps.

Secondly, on the system that you're doing the test with. Make sure that your wireless adapter isn't A/B/G. You're only limited to 54Mbps with these.

Finally, depending on the strength of the wireless signal or if there are any interference, you may not get the 100Mbps advertised.

I recommend you looking in to a wireless Power line solution by Linksys.
All you need to do is plug the modem in to the source power line hub.
Plug any additional wireless hub in rooms of your house.
This will ensure 100% signal where ever you go.

Thanks

I agree with you on getting a separate modem and router, with the exception of the particular modem/router in the OP. It has had great reviews, similar to other dedicated routers in its segment.