How to test and tweak a new RT-ac68U? Newb

[kdkrone]

I have just set up an RT-AC68U (ASUS Firmware 3.0.0.4.376_1663) on my home network and would like to know how I can test it and tweak it to know if I am getting real world "expected" (or close to full) results.

My provider is Charter and using their speed test, I have 31 Mbps download and 0.9 upload. Using speedtest.net, my download speed is measured at 30 Mbps and upload is 0.85 Mbps (evenings it is close to 60 download and 4 upload.

I read two articles about testing LAN speed--one on this site (http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanw...ur-network-five-ways-to-measure-network-speed) and one at another (http://smallbusiness.chron.com/test-router-transfer-speed-56534.html). Based on that I have done some preliminary testing with LAN Speed Test.

The router is placed centrally on the main floor in a wiring closet. It is connected to a TP-Link GB switch and all of my hard-wired LAN runs through that switch (upstairs1). On the lower floor are three wired computers. Two (computer 1 and computer 2) share another TP-Link (TP-Link GB switch "downstairs 2") and another (computer 3) shares a Netgear GB switch ("downstairs 3"). (all of the computer network adapters are gigabit). Running a test from computer 1 to computer 2 (computer 1)-->downstairs 2 switch-->upstairs 1 switch--> downstairs 3--> computer 3 results in write of 81.7 Mbps with read of 90.1. Removing the upstairs GB switch and connecting computer 1-->GB switch-->computer 2, the write is 73.0 and the read is 82.8, which I found very surprising.

Transfer speed test between the two downstairs computers that are connected to the same switch (computers 1 and 2) the write is 560.3 and the read is 238.03 so there is a HUGE toll that is taken by running 15 feet to a GB switch and back again! Is that unusual?

At any given time, I have iPhones, iPads, an iMac, and Macbook Airs as wireless clients. I am not clear how to run the test with them, but when I connect my Macbook Air (there is an OSX version of LAN Test) via the 2.4 GH band, my write is 13.8 Mbps and the read is 75.4. Connected to the 5 Ghz band, the write is 14.8 and the read is 90.1.

I will type the "Professional" settings for the router below, but if anyone can direct me from here, I would be grateful. These numbers seem a bit slow.

Thanks
Ken K

ASUS Firmware 3.0.0.4.376_1663
Wireless professional settings:

(If anyone has time to explain how the items followed by a (?) affect things, I would be grateful.)

Roaming assistant: disable ?
Enable IGMP snooping: disable ?
Preamble type: short
AMPDU RTS: enable ?
RTS Threshold 2347
Enable TX bursting: enable (helps with wireless g protocol, as I understand)
Enable WMM APSD: enable ?
Optimize AMPDU aggregation: disable ?
Optimize ack suppression: disable ?
Airtime Fairness: disable ?
802.11ac Beamforming: disable ?
Universal Beamforming: disable ?

Thanks

 

[L&LD]

You have a funny way of connecting your switches.

Can you do a quick diagram so we can see clearly how they are connected?

I would also recommend to get the router out of the closet too.


As for the settings you mention - I can only suggest you do a reset to factory defaults, and change each setting one at a time and test for a positive or negative affect in your network.


I would also suggest you flash RMerlin 376.48.1 firmware too.

 

[kdkrone]

You have a funny way of connecting your switches.

Glad to bring some mirth into your day.

Can you do a quick diagram so we can see clearly how they are connected?

When we moved in, the best that I could do was to use the existing CAT5e wire in the phone jacks in the walls. At least they ran to a small wiring cabinet in an upstairs centrally located closet...

I would also recommend to get the router out of the closet too.

I prefer to stay married.

As for the settings you mention - I can only suggest you do a reset to factory defaults, and change each setting one at a time and test for a positive or negative affect in your network.

How far off are the results from what I could expect?

I would also suggest you flash RMerlin 376.48.1 firmware too.

[/QUOTE]
I see that there is a section devoted to his version. A couple of questions before I do that. 1, is it a one way trip, or can I save my ASUS firmware and re-flash it if I care to? 2, is there a special way of flashing? For example, when I flashed DD_WRT firmware, there is an admonition to always do a 30-30-30 second flash (plugged in, unplugged, plugged in again, always depressing the reset button for the 90 seconds of the process). 3, are people in that part of the forum helpful? 4, is the firmware as intuitive as the ASUS firmware? 5, would I still have the ability to set up guest accounts as easily as I can with the ASUS firmware, and last, 6, what are the benefits and the downsides?

Thanks,
Ken K