Noob Networking Question

[cmac813]

So comcast just increased the internet speed but only the computer downstairs connected to the router and modem is showing the faster speeds with speedtest. Is the only way for my computer upstairs to get faster internet by buying a new router?

My computer is connected via powerline so one end is in the basement connected to the router and the other end is connected to my computer upstairs. We have an old D-Link DI-524 with 2 laptops and 2 phones using wireless internet on it. So I'm thinking with all those wireless devices on the router, it slows down my internet as well even though I'm using a powerline and not wireless, is that correct?

The D-Link DI-524 says it can get up to 54mbps but my computer in my room is getting about 11up/10down, while the computer in the basement is getting around 50up/10down. I realize wireless connections are taking up bandwidth but I didn't think there would be such a big difference between speeds.

So if we get a better router will my internet speed go up? Also could I plug my powerline directly into the modem or does it have to be plugged into the router because the basement computer is already plugged into the modem? Forget to mention we have an Arris TM702G modem if that matters.

Thanks for the help, I have no networking knowledge so I apologize if my question is really dumb or hard to understand.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Ok, I'll take a stab at this and answer the questions first:

1. A better/newer router will help increase connection speeds inside your LAN, and maybe make the WAN feel a little quicker.

2. The powerline ethernet should be plugged into the router, the Modem should go to the WAN port of the Dlink. Sounds like this is already correct, or you wouldn't be getting internet for all the devices.

So,

Powerline setups are always YMMV. They're completely dependent on your houses wiring.

The DI-524 is old school. I had one of those half a decade ago. And wireless is always YMMV based on signal strength, interference, and more...see the wireless sticky at the top of the networking forum.

It appears that the computer that is directly attached via ethernet to the DI-524 is testing just fine at 50Mbps(down)/10Mbps(up)

The wireless clients could get better speeds with a new router.

The powerline setup is what it is. You could either try a different powerline setup, make it wireless, or try to get a real ethernet run installed. If all your doing is surfing the web then making it wireless is probably your best bet.

hope this helps.

 

[Cabletek]

One addition to cheeswiz's statement [I ain't doing leet speak, never did it when I played quake ain't doing it now] your client must also support N wireless so you may need to buy an adapter if it does not already support N wireless. Depends on the age of the laptop, if within 3 years it SHOULD support N, but if older may be only G. Just a heads up that you need to look into this before you just buy a new router and expect magic.

 

[cmac813]

Thanks for the help guys, I do like to do some gaming which is why I got the powerline because my friend who helped me set it up said the powerline is better than wireless for gaming. I'm able to get about 20mbps/down if no one else is using the internet. I do seem to get around 10mbps/up whether there are multiple people using the internet or only me which I don't really understand why the down speed is affected but not the upload speed.

I think using wireless wouldn't really help because the computer connected to the modem and router is in the basement and my room is up on the 2nd floor so I don't think it would get a clear signal. So in order to get faster speeds on my computer on the 2nd floor I'd have to either move the modem and router to my computer or hook up an ethernet cable from my computer to the router? I thought's what the powerline did without having to run a cable through the whole house.

I haven't really had any problems with my internet and the speeds I'm getting now, it's just annoying that the basement computer is that much faster when it doesn't get used that often. As you can tell I don't really know that much about networking so I appreciate the help and I welcome any suggestions you guys have if you think it will help me get a faster connection.

 

[nightspydk]

Personally I've had better experience just using the lan ports. You do not have to use the wan ports.

But like the man says, a better router will increase LAN. I have gigabit lan and megabit wan, since I have the cables, switch/router and nics.

It must be the wireless and yes that is not recomended for high speed.

My cents.

 

[JackMDS]

Thanks for the help guys, I do like to do some gaming which is why I got the powerline because my friend who helped me set it up said the powerline is better than wireless for gaming.

Read this thread - http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2311461

Solution.

Build a Dual Band Wireless and if needed add Access Points as neeed,

Wishful human sentiments are not functional Technology.

 

[cmac813]

Read this thread - http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2311461

Solution.

Build a Dual Band Wireless and if needed add Access Points as neeed,

Wishful human sentiments are not functional Technology.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check out that thread.

 

[mammador]

A few options I can see:

- Desist the powerline, as it often gives bandwidth issues
- Install drops/Cat 6 in all rooms, from the central router and/or switch
- Have a central router and switch, and install wireless access points so all house areas have wifi.

 

[ImDonly1]

I can only get 2-2.5 MB/s on my 54mbps wireless g in the SAME room as my router.

You are going across the house, so yeah you probably will get only 10 mbps max. Wireless speeds are very YMMV. Wired is best.

Will wireless N increase speeds? Maybe.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Thanks for the help guys, I do like to do some gaming which is why I got the powerline because my friend who helped me set it up said the powerline is better than wireless for gaming. I'm able to get about 20mbps/down if no one else is using the internet. I do seem to get around 10mbps/up whether there are multiple people using the internet or only me which I don't really understand why the down speed is affected but not the upload speed.

I think using wireless wouldn't really help because the computer connected to the modem and router is in the basement and my room is up on the 2nd floor so I don't think it would get a clear signal. So in order to get faster speeds on my computer on the 2nd floor I'd have to either move the modem and router to my computer or hook up an ethernet cable from my computer to the router? I thought's what the powerline did without having to run a cable through the whole house.

I haven't really had any problems with my internet and the speeds I'm getting now, it's just annoying that the basement computer is that much faster when it doesn't get used that often. As you can tell I don't really know that much about networking so I appreciate the help and I welcome any suggestions you guys have if you think it will help me get a faster connection.

do you have a coax hookup in the upstairs? It's not that hard to move the modem/router.

Yes, the powerline allows the network to reach. There's never any guarantee about connection quality. Like others have said as well, YMMV. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.

 

[cmac813]

do you have a coax hookup in the upstairs? It's not that hard to move the modem/router.

Yes, the powerline allows the network to reach. There's never any guarantee about connection quality. Like others have said as well, YMMV. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.

I'm not sure if we have coax hookup upstairs or not, there isn't one in my room but there might be one in another room, I'll have to check. I'm assuming if the modem is upstairs the powerline will get more than 10mbps/up? I guess it depends on how the house is wired? I have no idea about wiring or anything like that so that might be a really dumb question. Thanks for all the help from everyone that has posted, I really appreciate it.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I was saying move the modem and router nearest the PC that you want the speed for, so you can try to get a direct ethernet connection to the router. Move the power line connection to the PC in the basement, where you don't care about the speed as much.

The power line operates independantly from the modem or router, I'm not sure what you'll get when you start moving it around. Like you said, depends on the house wiring.

 

[realjb@juno.com]

So, ethernet cat6 directly wired modem to PC, will get the same or possibly better download speed for watching a movie on my PC? Or, stay the same or get worse, possibly?