Wireless router v Hard wired

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 16:00

Is it correct that a laptop will run faster (on the internet) when it is connected directly to the internet rather than through a wireless router? I used adsl at home.

markvpiazza


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 530

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 16:34

yes, always quicker via wire than wireless

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 16:44

Mark,

By how much?

Given that the speed (transfer rate) of even the slowest wireless router far exceeds that of any data stream that you are going to get from the Internet, would/does the router actually become a bottleneck?

Have you actually measured the difference? - or are you just running on theory?

Best regards,



Keith.

p.s. Nice to hear from you again!

markvpiazza


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 530

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 16:58

Hi Keith



Wireless is usually maximum of 54 mbps while wired ethernet is normally now 100 mbps



Also, wireless signals are/should be encrypted, which puts a high overhead on their encoding/decoding.



Try it yourself if you have a laptop



all the best



Mark

ROBnJO


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 1289

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 17:00

Vaughan



In a word No!



As Keith points out, 'speed' is determined by your internet providers service,.... or lack of it!



I recently have had some err, issues, with installing a dongle and a wi-fi bluetooth printer on a new laptop.



I switched between router and cable a number of times, there was no difference in speed.



At least with the router I didnt have to be within 1.8 mtrs of a socket, they're never where you ideally want them! Anything over 2 mtrs on a cable seems to slow things down, but the router provides 'full' speed up to 100mtrs away, sat in the sun??



p.s.I have now found out I can use my big LCD tv as a rather frightening Wi-Fi monitor from the laptop!



Rob

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 17:15

re msg 1



The new wireless N std allows " faster than 100mps" and I am currently showing 130mps on a wireless N hub to USB N std wireless connection ( encrypted to WPA2)



*I* found it to be JUST as quick in real time as the wired connection for surfing the net.



After all - even though we have a 5.5Mps ADSL connection ( advertised 8 Mps ) we are hardly pushing the system..



If more than one PC on the network - fit a switch ( not a hub) - connect THAT to the router and THEN run cable - a switch allocates traffic to the port that NEEDS it.



So, the answer is NOT cable, every time

Harlequin


Joined: 02/10/2008
Posts: 346

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 17:51

http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/homenetworking/a/homewiredless.htm

http://www.netgear.co.uk/home_newnetwork_wiredwireless.php

Harlequin


Joined: 02/10/2008
Posts: 346

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 17:54

http://ezinearticles.com/?Wireless-vs-Wired&id=1158053 http://www.broadbandbuddy.com.au/wireless/wireless-networks-vs-wired-networks

batterboy58



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 442

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 18:03

I think Harlequins links settle this debate, it does depend on equipment used, but using the router I am using now I have a speed of 54.0Mbps. If I plug the laptop directly into the same router I achieve a speed of 100Mbps.

Almost twice as fast

ROBnJO


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 1289

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 18:12

I have just moved my business to new offices and had nightmares with cabling!

I only have 4 desktops, 2 laptops, a fax & credit Card terminal.



Our existing IT people came in at £XXX to sort everything out.



What a fiasco! They spent 3 days trying to get everything working, the server crashed every few hours, no emails, even to blackberries, then suddenly dozens of emails, some from days ago. Then everything went down again.

Fax worked ok, but the HSBC Card terminal refused to log on & download oustanding transactions. IT guys tried endless combinations of cables and adapters into different sockets,....



The story goes on & on!



We eventually found out, ourselves, that the Card Machine would only work if it was plugged into a socket no more than 1mtr away, without any extra cable or adapter.

They are no longer our IT guys & have been told where to stick their bill!!



Come the revolution, IT guys will be up against the wall even before Estate Agents!!



Rob

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 18:13

which nearly 30 % SLOWER than my wireless connection ;)

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 18:18

Rob re msg 10



OUR credit card machines work on an extension a considerably long way from the master socket.



Of COURSE HSBC will tell you that, but they do work further away..

AndyP



Joined: 18/04/2008
Posts: 517

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 19:41

Quite simply.



If you are running a network at home or work. Using wireless will be be slower than the wired (unless you have the latest wireless). But will you notice. Not much unless you are copying large files from PC to another or to a server.



However, if you are connecting to the internet, it will make no difference at all. You will never get 54mbps on the internet here or the UK. Well not unless you have your own fiber link. How much do you have?

AndyP



Joined: 18/04/2008
Posts: 517

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 19:44

RobnJo



Should have given me a call!! Some of us do know what we are doing and do not charge the earth.

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 22:57

AndyP,

Well, you confirmed what I thought - mind you, if you wait long enough, someone is more or less bound to agree with you!

I still have the feeling that when those Red Tanks come rolling down Karaoğlanoğlu Cad, we're gonna have our backs to the wall...

Keith.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
27/01/2009 08:42

Thanks for all the contributions. It's all about my son playing his PS3 games with other lads on the internet. He seems to think if he was hard wired he would get better speeds. I am going to double my adsl speed this month (to 1mb?) to see if this helps him.

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
27/01/2009 09:11

Vaughan,

All you need to try it out is an Ethernet cable!

If you want one, give me a shout, & I'll drop one in for you...

Keith.

markvpiazza


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 530

Message Posted:
27/01/2009 11:44

MM



What about the encryption overhead?



Mark

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
27/01/2009 11:59

Hi Mark,



as it's 30% faster I don't feel any slowness ;)

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
27/01/2009 12:54

Hi Keith,



That's very kind of you, old bean. If you are in Girne next, perhaps you can drop it in to the office.

ROBnJO


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 1289

Message Posted:
27/01/2009 13:21

AndyP re msg 14



Thanks for the offer! I do have access to excellent and 'FREE' IT support,..... my son!



Unfortunately he's away at UNI.



Whenever I call him he's in a bar or kebab shop,...



"Sorry dad,.. can't talk now!"



Rob

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
28/01/2009 17:32

Thanks to Keith I have tested PS3 with ethernet cable and my soon reckons it is faster...

Next, I need an ethernet cable about 5m long with a "plug" on both ends.

Q. Is such a thing not too long and if not where can I get one in Girne?

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
28/01/2009 17:54

try baseline computers they might be able to make you a cable 05338620206

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
28/01/2009 19:50

Vaughan,



You can go up to 100 mtrs with good quality cable.



Most computer shops that have a technician should make one up for you.



Don't forget to allow plenty of slack - particularly with kids involved - the 'strain relief' on ethernet plugs is only designed to be plugged in and then left well alone!- Unless you pay for a super-duper premade one with proper strain relief.



Keith.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
29/01/2009 09:06

Thanks for all your help, Keith. I have your cable in my office or I could drop it somewhere.

ps3mad


Joined: 23/01/2009
Posts: 11

Message Posted:
30/01/2009 10:12

Thank you i am the son who keeps complaining, i have heard from reliable sources that my PS3 will have a steadier stronger connection to the internet

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
30/01/2009 10:46

Hi Sam,

Well, 'The proof of the pudding is in the Eating' as they say - there are various technical people with opinions that swing one way or the other, but if you find that it is actually better in practice, that makes YOU the Expert!

One of my favourite sayings is this: -

"In Theory, there is no difference between Theory and Practice.

- In Practice, there is."

Keith.