Home office network tests using Blacknight speed test
Ironically, the broadband went down as I was writing this post so I have to post using Dial-up.
Almost every day I need to FTP files up to remote servers. For as long as I can remember, files and folders almost always fail to upload correctly. Whats worse is that it can sometimes LOOK like a folder has uploaded correctly but a couple of the files will have swapped titles (or content depending on how you want to look at it). This has gotten me into trouble a couple of times and led to needless reworking.
A few months back, my father and I wired CAT 5e cable around the house from the attic where the connection enteres the house to the office where I work. Before this I was using a wireless connection on my desktop PC. Using a wired connection improved things, but didn’t fully fix it.
My broad band is provided by Airwave Internet. They provide me with a 1 MB upload/download for €60 Euro per month compared to around €45 per month for a 3 MB line from Eircom while living in Cork.
I wasn’t going to mention the broadband providers name, but as a result of these tests I can see they’re not the problem at all despite their service going offline all afternoon today.
I ran the Blacknight speed test in a couple of different scenarios on my LAN between 5pm and 6pm today. (Just before the broadband went down, coincidence??)
From my desktop, using a CAT 5e wired 100 MBPs connection through a Linksys BEFSR41 V3.1 router:
Speed test results:
Advanced Statistics:
Connection Summary:
From my desktop, using a CAT 5e wired 100 MBPs connection through a Linksys WRT54G V4 wireless router (latest firmware)
Speed test results:
(Messed up the Statistics screenshot for this test)
Connection Summary:
From my Dell Vostro 1500 Laptop using 54MBPs G Wireless through a Linksys WRT54G V4 wireless router (latest firmware)
Speed Test Results
Advanced Statistics:
Connection Summary:
From my Dell Vostro 1500 Laptop, directly connected to the connection provided by Airwave Internet
Speed Test Results
Advanced Statistics:
Connection Summary:
So it seems my routers are at fault, both of em. Since I can’t bring my desktop machine up into the attic to work every day, I must go get a new router. I’ve thinking of getting the Netgear wireless router with multiple internal ariels for stonger signal strenth. Anyone out there use one with good results?
Tags: airwave internet, blacknight speed test, linksys, router
July 30th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
We have a Linksys WRT54GS (running DD-WRT firmware) and a Netgear DG834PN.
The Netgear was bought to replace the Linksys+NetopiaDSL since we needed something whose wireless capabilities could handle the awkward layout of our home office. We got a matching USB wifi stick so that we’d get 108 Mbs instead of the 54 on the Linksys.
To be honest we notice very little difference in day to day use. The Netgear seems to handle bittorrent traffic slightly better and have slightly better range. But the DD-WRT firmware on the Linksys is far more flexible, particularly if you want to setup incoming ports with redirects (e.g. to give external people access to test machines etc).
I think the Netgear can handle ADSL2 which the old Netopia modem connected to the Linksys cannot.
So I don’t know how much improvement you will really see. I’ve just run Cat5 to the machine that was previously on wireless and that really is infinitely better.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:28 am
I had the DD-WRT firmware on the Linksys WRT54 too for a while, I didn’t notice any difference in performance.
Any router I use so far still prevents me from uploading files and folders with any confidence. The LAN layout is straight forward, security disabled and no customised port usage.
I’ll get a new router and if that doesn’t solve it, I’ll have to look deeper, possibly change the FTP programme or perhaps the new cables are damaged or faulty.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Ouch! €60/month for 1MB up and down sounds a bit steep. I have the same speed fixed wireless with Rapid Broadband for €37.50/month. Guess I should stop moaning about how expensive it is :-).
On my setup there’s a router built in to the wireless reception box — so I’m using a Zyxel wireless router (cheapest option in PC World Mahon Point) in Access Point mode to provide wireless access in the house, and a fixed connection in the office, where the broadband comes in. All seems to work like a charm (touch wood)… and I don’t seem to have any issues FTPing files fron the wired or wireless network point.
Speedtests report similar speeds (c. 1MB/sec up and down consistently) from wired and wireless connections.
Guess I’m just lucky! Hope the new router sorts the problem out for you.
September 1st, 2008 at 6:43 pm
hi, cool web site and good articles.
The The first step is to learn how to find out what your Internet speed is.The Internet speed is determined by 2 components: the download rate and the upload rate of data which are usually measured in Kilobits per second.
Then after you know the upload and download rate, you can use tools or tweaks to improve your internet speed, or take the decision to change your ISP.