Internet speed problems

Gudzilla · 15 Mar 2016

Hello;

I'm trying to find out if there is something wrong with my network settings. I just upgraded my service with my cable provider. I had been using their 50Mbps service and was getting around 40-45 on all of my devices when I ran speedtest.net.
I just upgraded to a 200Mbps service. When I run the test on my android phone and tablet it gets about 150. I imagine the lack of max speed is due to network traffic, but my W10 desktop and W7 laptop are both only getting about 25Mbps.

Where would be the best place to start troubleshooting?

bro67 · 15 Mar 2016

It depends on what Gateway you are using and if using WiFi or ethernet. It can depend on the chipset for the laptop and desktop, along with other reasons that you are going to have to post further information on the manufacturer and model of the Gateway, Chipset for the laptop and desktop, if you are using either Wifi or Ethernet.

Berton · 15 Mar 2016

Gudzilla said:

Hello;

I'm trying to find out if there is something wrong with my network settings. I just upgraded my service with my cable provider. I had been using their 50Mbps service and was getting around 40-45 on all of my devices when I ran speedtest.net.
I just upgraded to a 200Mbps service. When I run the test on my android phone and tablet it gets about 150. I imagine the lack of max speed is due to network traffic, but my W10 desktop and W7 laptop are both only getting about 25Mbps.

Where would be the best place to start troubleshooting?

First, congratulations on getting the Mbps right. What I'd do is a power unplug reset of the modem/router, wait a minute, plug it back in and try again. I've seen times where an ISP will work on a system, perhaps only in a neighborhood, which doesn't refresh things.

theveterans · 18 Mar 2016

Are you on WiFi?

If you need to get all of your 200 Mbps speed, your device must have 802.11ac and your Access point must be 802.11ac too:

bro67 · 18 Mar 2016

theveterans that is only half of it. The other is that you have to have a decent router that can handle the speeds. Most off the shelf consumer gear cannot sustain anything higher then 125 mbps for WAN to LAN. Even with Wireless-ac, you are not going to get the full speed of the connection, since the A/P will adjust its speed accordingly to the data packets and error rate.

TairikuOkami · 19 Mar 2016

You could try TCP Optimizer.

bro67 · 20 Mar 2016

TairikuOkami said:

You could try TCP Optimizer.

Windows 7, 8.x, 10 are self tuning. There is no need for extra software, since the OS will just ignore any changes.

Gudzilla · 23 Mar 2016

Thanks for all the input and help. The "ac" standard was what I was missing. I have two laptops that are a couple or more years old and they only had up to the "n" standard. I do have one newer USB stick adapter, and I tried it on those and am getting the results I was expecting.
One thing I did find out though, was for my desktop pc I had been using a powerline adapter. It was supposedly rated at 200Mbps, but it was only getting a small fraction of that. The computer is a couple of rooms away from the modem so I had to string some patch cables together with connectors to test it, but when I did, I realized the powerline was the bottleneck in the whole system. After that I tried the newer wireless adapter, and that had even better speed than the multi-section test cable I used. I imagine using a mishmash of wiring probably slowed the connection down, so I'll probably have to eventually go into the attic and pull some wires but I'm getting great results now for what I have.
Thanks again for the advice.

bro67 · 23 Mar 2016

You would only need AC if you plan on media streaming or have a connection higher then 150 mbps. Even then a 3 channel Wireless-N will still take care of you and get better distances then Wireless-AC will.

With B still being used for stuff like wireless controlled thermostats, light and other controllers, which do not need but a short command. Also used for backhaul for SMNP and monitoring equipment in the firld. it will always be around forever. G will also be around for a long time.

AC has come a long way in two years. It still has a few more to go, before the Access Points for Enterprise get down to lower cost.

Powerline adapters are like traveling on a congested Interstate during construction. It is dependent on how good of quality the electeical witing is and distance. You are better in using MoCa adapters, since the speed will stay more constant.

Stringing a bunch of cat-5e can work fine as long as there is no nicks in the wiring or bad couplers. Used to just put a couple of Keystones on a box of wire when we used to have to troubleshoot a bad wire from point to point. This was when the test equipment was not that accurate and a lot more bulky.