Different LAN -> WLAN speeds??

[sddt]

Hello everyone!

I'm verry happy with my RT-N66u (FW: 3.0.0.4.354.29 Merlin) and it gives me amazing speeds.
But after doing some test, i ended up in the following situation:

I have a NAS and a PC with the same test file (~1GB) connected with a cat5e cable to my router (RT-N66U).

- When I download the file with my laptop (2.4GHz) from the NAS I get ~170mbps (amazing!)
- When I download the file with my laptop from the computer I get ~230mbps!!!
- - When I try to download the file from the NAS with the PC I get ~350mbps (so the NAS can really deliver me that high speeds like the PC)
(notice: these speeds are pretty constant)

Ok not really a problem, but i want to know why the speed from te NAS to my laptop is so much slower than from the PC? I've already change the cables (they are the same, but you never know ) but nothing helped.

 

[RMerlin]

A lot of factors can impact SMB throughput. Could be the OS itself for starter (Win7 vs Win8?). The OS networking might be tuned slightly differently (Windows 7/8 does a good amount of "auto-tuning" at the network level). Could also be the network card itself - not all network interface are created equal. The Realtek NIC in my HTPC for instance is known to have major issues transferring files over SMB, and nobody ever found any explanation as to why this is the case with that particular Realtek model. Could also be the security software you run on either computers affecting throughput.

Finally, Gigabit usually means "up to" (altho it can get pretty close, unlike Wifi). Gigabit will do a fair bit of "auto-tuning" based on the cable length, quality, etc...

 

[Fraoch]

I'm not quite sure I get what you're saying...everything looks as expected?

- When I download the file with my laptop (2.4GHz) from the NAS I get ~170mbps (amazing!)

That IS amazing over wireless!

- When I download the file with my laptop from the computer I get ~230mbps!!!

Is the laptop wireless? If so, that's even more amazing than the result above...

- - When I try to download the file from the NAS with the PC I get ~350mbps (so the NAS can really deliver me that high speeds like the PC)

And this is over a wired connection, right? Sounds about right - you won't ever get 1 Gbps speeds, as processor and I/O speeds increase you can get closer, but 350 Mbps sounds about right for a NAS constrained by CPU and I/O.

Ok not really a problem, but i want to know why the speed from te NAS to my laptop is so much slower than from the PC?

It looks like you're comparing a wireless to a wired connection - in which case, as you've discovered, wired will ALWAYS be faster than wireless. Don't be brought in by router marketing hype, you won't ever get 450 Mbps using a "450 Mbps" link rate. More like 100 Mbps. 170 Mbps is an excellent result, as good as you could ever hope for. 230 Mbps almost seems impossible...take a look at the chart:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/bar/113-5-ghz-dn-c

The N66U tested at 136.7 Mbps, and that's in the best location with routing turned off.

 

[sddt]

Oh yes, the 230mbps is also wireless! if you want i'll post some screenshots?
My NAS is Synology DS211j, so i think 350mbps wired (NAS) to wired (Win7 desktop) is the maximum.
I was just wondering why the speeds are different from the 2 LAN devices to my wireless laptop under the same conditions (same cable, port, place, ...).
But as Merlin said, it could be the NAS itself. Probably the NIC sends the packets just a bit different through the network then my Win7 desktop and that can declare the slower speeds!

Thanks for the reply!

 

[Fraoch]

Oh yes, the 230mbps is also wireless! if you want i'll post some screenshots?

Heh heh no I believe you! That's an incredible result though.