WLAN playing Bluray/HD

[HeroicGlaedr]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to expand the access to the LAN throughout the whole of my house. It's a 3 storey building with an attic. I need at least a 55 Mbit connection rate throughout the whole house to be able to play HD movies on the clients. Unfortunately, I have not yet managed to attain it everywhere – so I need some help and advice.

I'm using the following network devices:
• N300 Wireless Gbit Router WNR3500v2 [2nd Floor] http://www.netgear.com/home/products/wirelessrouters/work-and-play/WNR3500L.aspx
• G54 Wireless Router (WGR614v6) as switch (connected to router) [2nd Floor] http://www.netgear.com/home/products/wirelessrouters/simplesharing/WGR614.aspx
• WiFi Range Extender (WN2000RPT) [1st Floor http://www.netgear.com/home/product...nders/wireless-range-extenders/WN2000RPT.aspx
• Powerline AV500 (XAV5001) [2nd to ground Floor] http://www.netgear.de/products/home/powerline-and-coax/high-performance/XAVB5001.aspx


The following clients are connected to the network:
• Win7-PC connected through a Cat5 Gbit cable to the router [2nd Floor]
• Win7-PC connected through TP-Link WiFi (directly to the router) [2nd Floor]
• MacBookPro through integrated WiFi (either directly to the router or through the repeater) [1st Floor]
• Win7-Laptops through TP-Link WiFi (either directly to the router or through the repeater) [2nd and 1st Floor]
• FreeNAS-Server (FreeBSD variant) through a Cat5 flatband cable to the router [Attic]
• WDTV Live through LogiLink WiFi-Adapter (through repeater) or over the Powerline adapters [Ground Floor] http://www.wdtvlive.com/products/wdtv_live#/specs
• 2 HP Printer connected by cable to the G54 Wireless Router (used as switch) [2nd Floor]

I'm using the following Wi-Fi adapters:
• LogiLink WLAN USB 2.0 Micro Adapter 802.11n http://www.logilink.eu/showproduct/WL0080.htm
• TP-Link WLAN-n USB-Adatper (TL-WN821N) http://www.tp-link.com/de/products/productDetails.asp?class=anm&content=spe&pmodel=TL-WN821N

Now to the setup: The server is up in the attic, to which I have laid a cable, connecting it to the router on the second floor. On that floor there are some laptops and the two PCs. Down one floor is the MacBookPro and further laptops connecting through the WiFi Range Extender, which is also on that floor, or directly to the router. On the ground floor I've got the WDTV Live connected to the TV which uses either a Wi-Fi connection to the repeater or through the powerline adapters. I am using a WPA2 TKIP encryption on the WiFi.

I think the main problem is the span of the WLAN, by the time it reaches the ground floor the connection is really bad. The powerline don't seem to be working correctly either – if I connect them from the 2nd floor to the ground floor I get terrible connections. Is it worth trying to connect the powerline adapters to the repeater on the 1st floor and running it down to the ground floor to reduce distance?

I don't have any possibility to lay any cables through the house, neither can I move the router from the 2nd floor to somewhere else – it's the only place where I have a WAN connection.

Can anybody advise on any other configuration of the devices or even other devices? Is there any good application to measure network performance (for Mac and Windows)? How much budget would I need to install a network system that conforms to my needs (stated above)?

Thanks for your support and feedback

 

[thiggins]

A diagram would be very helpful.

Only way to get reliable 55 Mbps connection is via Ethernet. Next best bet is Homeplug AV. Least preferable is wireless repeating since you get a 50% throughput hit to start and it goes downhill from there.

If you're really really sure you can't run a cable from the second floor to ground (you ran one from 2nd to attic...why is the server in the attic?) spend some time testing different outlets for throughput. Use large filecopies to check performance or an app like http://www.totusoft.com/lanspeed2.html.

Also check your breaker box for AFCI breakers and more powerline debug tips here. Slow HomePlug? Five Ways To Boost Powerline Network Speed

 

[HeroicGlaedr]

Hey,

I'm gonna try to get the plans for my house and will post them with the devices marked in it.

Is it still not possible to get a "decent" Wifi connection to play HD :S

The server was put into the attic, because it's out of the way there and there was an easy possibility to pull through cables to the top.

Will check the app you suggested and post back.

Cheers

 

[thiggins]

As I've said many, many times, wireless can't support 1080p reliably. Maybe 720p in same or next room only.

 

[HeroicGlaedr]

Well, then that is something I am going to have to accept - although reluctantly.

Powerline will be the way to go then. How much throughput should I be getting with my 500mbit adapters? Do you think it is possible to get those darn movies to play on my WDTV Live? I've read about problems, when the powerline adapters are on different phases. To ameliorate that problem one would need to install a stage sequence (it's called Phasenkoppler in German). Have you ever had any experience with this?

I'm not sure if we've got AFCIs installed in our house since I'm from Switzerland.. Gotta check when I'm home from work.

Does it make any significant difference if I put the adapters into a cable connector along with other devices ( --> noise)?

 

[thiggins]

NETGEAR XAVB5001 Powerline AV 500 Adapter Kit Reviewed

You shouldn't have problems with different phases. That was solved a long time ago. See this whitepaper.

Powerline adapters must be plugged directly into wall outlets for best performance.

 

[HeroicGlaedr]

Okay, that sounds good, less to invest
As for the AFCIs, I can't quite make them out. But just to be sure
I'm posting these pictures here of the fusebox, maybe you can find them:

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

I got my hands on some old Jperf binary for my Mac and am testing it now.
Throughput at the ground floor is about 45 mbit/s, which is about 10mbit away from my goal of 55mbit/s.. I'll post all test results when im done.

Cheers

 

[thiggins]

I don't see any AFCIs. But the Telerupteur is something I haven't run across before.

 

[HeroicGlaedr]

Hey,

That would be an impulse switch. Dunno for what it's used though..

Test results with Jperf:

The first powerline adapter connected to the router was put directly into the wall socket, as was done with the second adapter. I let the test run for 10min from the FreeNAS Server through the powerline to my MacBookPro.

2nd Adapter:

• 2nd Floor across Room (5 from Router) - 170 Mbit/s
• 1st Floor far end next to window - 54.3 Mbit/s
• 1st Floor entrance to room - 92.3 Mbit/s
• Ground Floor next to TV left - 45.7 Mbit/s
• Ground Floor next to TV right - 45.2 Mbit/s
• Ground Floor next to Sidetable (10m away) - 44.9 Mbit/s

Now I got to, somehow, squeeze out those extra ~10 Mbit/s.
What are typical noise makers in the household? I'll retest with TV on/off tomorrow. Maybe the lamps (with dimmers) have an impact on performance too?

Cheers

 

[thiggins]

Noisemakers include lamp dimmers, small power supplies and cellphone charges, plasma TV and more.

As you noted, you need to experiment. Sometimes just placing noisy or suspect devices in a power strip with a few meter cord will filter enough noise out.

Don't get too hung up on the jperf numbers. They can change a lot depending on the network settings used. Be sure to try some test streams before you go too far.