Optimal Settings for 150/10 Mbps over Wifi in a Multi storey house

[Aldagr8]

Hi Everyone,

I upgraded my router to ASUS RT-N66u router, last september, and I have installed Merlin's 3.0.0.4.374.35_4-sdk5 Firmware build. After reading the threads on the forum, i came to know that this seemed to be a stable build.

I live in 3 storey Townhouse with no basement. The Router along with the modem is connected on the lowest floor. I have a NETGEAR WNDA3100-Wireless Dual Band Adapter (Supports over 300 Mbps).

Last month I was on 28 Mbps connection and used to easily get 20 Mbps speeds DL and 1 Mbps Upload. When I used the latest Server update my Wifi Speed dropped to 3 ~ 8 Mbps. I thought of trying out the 150 Mbps for a couple of months but was surprised with the low speeds.

On the Physical Ethernet connection to the Router or Modem i was clocking 147.8/14. After playing around with the Channel settings on 2.4/5 GHz frequencies, I have managed to get the speed close to 30 Mbps to 55Mbps on the 3'rd floor where the Wireless card is hooked to my desktop. It's random at different times of the day.

Are there anymore settings I can do to optimize this speeds or Do you think I should get a better Wireless Adaptor. Thanks for reading my rant and I look forward to any inputs of opinions from everyone on this forum.

Cheers,
Al

 

[L&LD]

First, move the RT-N66U to the middle or top floor.

Second, that firmware you have is very old. 376.44 final is recommended for the many fixes and security issues that have been fixed over the last year.

 

[Aldagr8]

So do you think I should install the Merlin Firmware update for RT-N66u (3.0.0.4.376.44_0).

I tried this earlier but didn't get very high speeds. At that time, I didn't know we had to push the reset button for 5 seconds before and after the update is completed. Do you think it might have something to do with that step which caused the low speeds?

Do you think my current Wireless Adaptor is good enough for the 150 Mbps speeds on Wifi?

I will update this once i get back home tonight. Thanks.

 

[Aldagr8]

Since my modem is connected on the lowest floor. Is there anyway to get my Router to the middle or Top floor without loosing much speed. Will it be possible without establishing a physical link between the router and modem.

I cannot drill holes or connect such an extended Ethernet cable throughout the house. Does any other manner to transmit the actual speed to the router without any packet loss exist, from 1'st floor to 3'rd floor?

 

[sinshiva]

if powerline ethernet isn't an option and neither is running cat5/6 outside of the house, you're best option is to use a second router as a wireless bridge and wire the 3rd floor machine to that

 

[Deleted member 22229]

Be advised updating the N66 with the latest firmware will result in a very noticeable drop in signal strength on both bands. But as stated it does have the latest security fixes.

 

[Aldagr8]

Thanks sinshiva. Are there any instructions on how to create a Wireless bridge with 2 routers?

Getting another router would also range into 100 to 150 $. Don't you think buying another Wireless Adaptor would resolve the issue. I was looking at this model. (Cisco Linksys AE1000) => $200 bucks.

Or is my current Wireless Adaptor good enough to increase the speed from the 1'st floor?

 

[Aldagr8]

Thanks Kel-L. My current signal strength was arnd -62 db. Checked it using Xirrus Wifi inspector. Do you think this would improve or become worse with the new firmware?

And my Ping test was showing lot of Packet loss over the wifi.

 

[sinshiva]

Thanks sinshiva. Are there any instructions on how to create a Wireless bridge with 2 routers?

Getting another router would also range into 100 to 150 $. Don't you think buying another Wireless Adaptor would resolve the issue. I was looking at this model. (Cisco Linksys AE1000) => $200 bucks.

Or is my current Wireless Adaptor good enough to increase the speed from the 1'st floor?

i can't speak for wireless adapters, but a router as a bridge i've found to be very reliable. to do this with a second n66u would involve going to the Administration page and setting the router to 'Media bridge' and having it connect to your AP accordingly. very easy

 

[Deleted member 22229]

Thanks Kel-L. My current signal strength was arnd -62 db. Checked it using Xirrus Wifi inspector. Do you think this would improve or become worse with the new firmware?

And my Ping test was showing lot of Packet loss over the wifi.

On the N66 you will definitely see a noticeable reduction in signal going from SDK5 to the latest.

 

[Aldagr8]

Thanks sinshiva. I will keep that as an option.

What are the possibilities of using a Wireless range Extender. (i.e. D-Link DAP-1320 Wireless N300 Range Extender)

It's cheaper at about $50 bucks but does it usually deliver speeds above 100 Mbps if i were to use one close to the router and another one just behind my PC.

 

[Aldagr8]

Sounds good. I will install the latest Merlin firmware and post signal difference by tomorrow.

 

[CaptainSTX]

If you have coaxial cable for TV (not satellite ) in your home I would recommend you use it along with MOCA adapters to move your router/ wireless AP to a better location. If it wasn't for your network's speed I would also recommend that you try Ethernet over powerline.

Also don't give up on running an Ethernet cable. You might be surprised at what a skilled electrician can do to route cables with minimal wall cuts and or holes. Even if it costs you $150 - $200 it won't be much more than additional hardware for other approaches and it will be faster and much more reliable.

Using a wireless bridges is better than using a repeater but any type of WiFi is problematic and subject to interference and congestion.

 

[Aldagr8]

Thanks CaptainSTX.

I don't have a TV as yet so that option is out for now.

When you say Repeater, does it mean the WIFI Range extender using the Power outlets within the house. How much lag in the bandwidth speed can I expect if i were to hook one end into my Router and the other end right beside my PC. They both would be connecting to a Power outlet right.

I can also look at the cost associated with running a physical ethernet connection to the 3'rd floor. Its my wife i have to worry about as she wouldn't appreciate wires running around the house .

 

[sinshiva]

Thanks CaptainSTX.

I don't have a TV as yet so that option is out for now.

When you say Repeater, does it mean the WIFI Range extender using the Power outlets within the house. How much lag in the bandwidth speed can I expect if i were to hook one end into my Router and the other end right beside my PC. They both would be connecting to a Power outlet right.

I can also look at the cost associated with running a physical ethernet connection to the 3'rd floor. Its my wife i have to worry about as she wouldn't appreciate wires running around the house .

moca would use the existing coaxial normally used for cable tv. no tv required (i completely forgot about moca as an option.)

another suggestion, find somewhere with a liberal return policy and try any of the above, between a newer revision moca or powerline set or a router as a bridge.

 

[Aldagr8]

Thanks for the clarification...

I still have to research on what is MOCA and how to use them.

Can you also please let me know what is a Powerline set? Thanks.

 

[sinshiva]

powerline utilizes your power outlets instead of dedicated wires. these are probably less reliable than both a wireless bridge or moca as they are dependent on the circuits in your house. you could try it and find there's no connection between the outlet by your router and the outlet used on the 3rd floor. very likely, actually, but weirder things have happened

 

[Aldagr8]

Thanks Sinshiva. I will try to research a bit on MOCA setup today. If i can't do that, I like the Powerline idea. I will try to go to tigerdirect or NCIX store for a good model and give it a shot later today

 

[Aldagr8]

I understand how the MOCA adaptors function now. My house has a Coaxial outlet only on the 1'st floor. That's probably the reason I didn't have the modem connected on the 3'rd floor. Which was the start for this entire Wifi endeavour .

I will go home and check the sockets again but i think the Powerline set mite do the trick. I sure hope the upper part of the house and lower part are not on different wall circuits. I know kitchen and other appliances had different power switches in the main Power Panel. But as long as they are a part of the MAIN house switch Powerline set should function right?

 

[sinshiva]

that's the general idea, yes, but no guarantees i'm afraid. like i said, shop from somewhere with a good return policy. this stuff takes a bit of trial and error