Why is my net so slow!

[Xander]

Hi guys and gals.

Since i'm a bit bored. I decided to ask; Why is my Upload and Download speed so slow?

I see people on this forum with 100 Mb/s download speeds.
Just some info to maybe help you:

I have a Linksys WAG160Nv2 which has an ethernet cable out of the back of it running into a Western Digital MyNet(something). I had bought the Western Digital thinking it would increase my download and upload speeds. Which it did. When connected to my Linksys network I get 1 Mb/s download, but when connected to my Western Digital Network I get 11-12 Mb/s. This of course is coming from Speed Test.

Also the connection is quite unstable. Often at times it just 'drops' out on me. (Macbook Pro 13inch 2010 model).


So yeah, i'd be really happy if someone was able to help me out here. Since I don't know a whole lot about networking etc.

Thanks.

 

[dugdiamond]

who is your ISP provider?

 

[Xander]

who is your ISP provider?

Telecom

 

[dugdiamond]

i do not know much about the ISPs in NZ.

but here is the facts:

a signal that travels along a copper wire, loses its strength over longer distances.
even if you ISP provides fibre optic delivery, that only applies to the nearest switchbox and thereafter it is reverted to a copper feed.
the further you are from the switchbox, the weaker the signal will be, and the more cable you have in your house... that also decreases the strength. it all adds up!
the ISP can only promise certain speeds upto your doorstep. they cannot promise that speed once you make your own network inside your building.

another possiblity is... the mixing of routers within a network. each router's hardware and firmware are different, and may not work optimally together. one maybe a 'G' and the other maybe an 'N'. ...they do not like each other!

have you tried switching their order around?

 

[jamesriley94]

Houses are also mainly wired in series.
As in, the line comes into the house into one of your phone lines, and then a wire goes from that main phone port to the next, then from there to the next... you get the picture.
So, if your router is plugged into the last phone port in the series, you would expect the speed to be slower than if the router was plugged into the first port in the series/entry port into the house.

Maybe try to find that port and move the router there?

As for the drop outs on the macbook - that's likely to be an issue with the router rather than your broadband connection. Maybe try changing the channel it's broadcasting on?

I've been using homeplugs recently. I find them far more stable and faster than a wifi connection. Maybe give them ago? (although I understand this is probably unpractical on the macbook)