20Mb Router Woes

[Schnitzel]

Hey,

So after finally getting 20Mb yesterday (I'm in Kingswinford DY6), I was somewhat disappointed when my speeds were only 13Mb. Did multiple speed tests since yesterday dinner time until this morning, each time getting about 13Mb / 0.7Mb stable.

I use a Linksys BEFSX41 wired-router, and this morning decided to temporarily take it out of the equation by plugging my SB5101E modem directly into the PC.
Viola, stable 20Mb.

For convienience, here's 2 speedtests:

1. With Router:
13.3Mbps
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/results/id/118776919222339427458.html

2. Without Router:
18.6Mbps
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/results/id/118776902113571227426.html

I've repeated this test several times and the results are consistent.
I'm surprised though, becuase I'm sure this router has 100Mbps ports, but it's obviously limiting my speed.

Therefore is anybody able to recommend a router (wired preferably, or wireless with atleast 4 LAN ports) that would allow me to make the most of my 20Mb speed?
Any make considered.

Thank you!

[Paul K]

I expect the 100Mbs is the LAN side not the WAN ;)

[amateurfool]

I expect the 100Mbs is the LAN side not the WAN ;)

The fact that the OP gets 13Mb with the router would suggest that the WAN port is also 100Mb, however the router cannot process the data fast enough between the WAN and LAN. A common problem.

To the OP
My router is a D-Link DIR-635, a little pricey but well worth the money, and it's bigger brother the DIR-655 is getting great reviews.

[xspeedyx]

I would say the router cnt handle 20mb but tbh I have had that problem loads

[DiscoStu]

Here's a handy chart listing WAN-LAN throughput of many routers - which you can base your buying decision on:
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_chart/Itemid,189/

[swapshop1]

You could try a firmware upgrade, I have the same router, although not in use at present. DSL Reports is a where to get support for this router as Linksys no longer support this box.

I was under the impression that it's limit was about 20mb, try with SPI switched off. It will still offer protection, as a NAT only device but thats cheaper than a new box.

Most home routers are built to cost, and very few will be able to route at 100mb speeds. With 50mb a year or 2 away, you might find yourself having to upgrade again! Toms Hardware gives a list of WAN to Lan throughput.

[Schnitzel]

Thanks to all who have replied so far.

Unfortunately I'm using the latest firmware for my router (which was upgraded a couple of weeks ago).

That's a very handy chat DiscoStu, and I'm quite surprised to see how poor the Linksys routers perform in it.
When I purchased this BEFSX41, I made the error of assuming that because it has 10/100Mbps WAN/LAN ports, it would be able to cope with upto 100Mbps speeds. I guess I was naive.

It looks like the D-Link DIR-655 is clearly the best choice, although I'm not really interested in wireless connectivity, and it's pretty expensive, the superb reviews it's receive make it a good contender for consideration.

[amateurfool]

Thanks to all who have replied so far.

Unfortunately I'm using the latest firmware for my router (which was upgraded a couple of weeks ago).

That's a very handy chat DiscoStu, and I'm quite surprised to see how poor the Linksys routers perform in it.
When I purchased this BEFSX41, I made the error of assuming that because it has 10/100Mbps WAN/LAN ports, it would be able to cope with upto 100Mbps speeds. I guess I was naive.

It looks like the D-Link DIR-655 is clearly the best choice, although I'm not really interested in wireless connectivity, and it's pretty expensive, the superb reviews it's receive make it a good contender for consideration.

For some reason the DIR-635 is not on that chart, however i would certainly recommend it, it's about £20 cheaper than the 655, but does not have the Gbit Lan capability, only bog-standard 10-100 Mbit.

[phil699]

i have a belkin 802.11g wireless/lan router, can somone please tell me what speeds this can handle upto as i got a feeling its slowing down my 20mb (getting like 4mb)

[Agent47]

I have a Netgear WGR614. Not too sure what the highest speed from Modem to WAN is.

[Schnitzel]

I just purchased a "D-Link DGL-4300 108Mbps Wireless Broadband Gaming Router w/Gigabit Ports" took me ages to find any for sale in the UK, but I'm pretty sure it'll cope with the 20Mb easily and the "GamerFuel" technology sounds very nice.

Shame it costs 3x more than my current BEFSX41!

[mrmistoffelees]

i have a belkin 802.11g wireless/lan router, can somone please tell me what speeds this can handle upto as i got a feeling its slowing down my 20mb (getting like 4mb)


What model of router is it ?

[ecksmen]

I just purchased a "D-Link DGL-4300 108Mbps Wireless Broadband Gaming Router w/Gigabit Ports" took me ages to find any for sale in the UK, but I'm pretty sure it'll cope with the 20Mb easily and the "GamerFuel" technology sounds very nice.

Shame it costs 3x more than my current BEFSX41!

Handles the speeds no worries, bought mine brand new about a year ago for £35 with a free xbox game from misco.co.uk.

Best purchase ever!

[popper]

i have a belkin 802.11g wireless/lan router, can somone please tell me what speeds this can handle upto as i got a feeling its slowing down my 20mb (getting like 4mb)

the bog standard 11G is speced at 22Mbit MAX real throughput , put on all the extra encription options and the average cheap CPU inside these things is not really upto the job of any were near maxing out the WAN/LAN.

some of the better 11G+ (notice that plus sign) routers when all the connection is also using 11G+ do have a good enough CPU inside so double check your spec with a good google search.

really though, anyone thinking of the longer term should be looking at nothing but 1gigabit WAN/LAN wired routers today.

or if you want wireless, as its far more flexable (no need to route RJ45 cable etc) then again forget the 11G+ and before and just get any of the 'pre 11N MiMo' thats tested to Draft 2.0 , that do mostly better than 100Mbit throughput AFAIK
http://www.dailywireless.org/2007/08/22/will-n-rescue-munifi/

http://certifications.wi-fi.org/wbcs_certified_products.php?search=1&advanced=1&lang=en&filter_company_id=&filter_category_id=&filter_subcategory=&filter_cid=&date_from=&date_to=&selected_certifications%5B%5D=33&x=32&y=5

---------- Post added at 21:36 ---------- Previous post was at 21:13 ----------

I have a Netgear WGR614. Not too sure what the highest speed from Modem to WAN is.

there are really 2 things to keep in mind when thinking about routers today , that is
1: make sure the WAN port and the LAN ports are at least 100Mbit, but 1gigabit is far better.

2: is the CPU thats inside this thing fast enough to deal with the data throughput when all the extra options are switched on.

the amount of ram inside also has an effect on throughput too so try and get the one with more (just like PC really LOL).

the chances are that any cheap and cheerful box that offers a £20 saving as above or not buying the 1gigabit option today is a bad move. ;)

[laxity]

I have the 8 port version of this router and I had this problem and found it was due to QoS. If you have QoS enabled you will need to turn it off as it can't process all the traffic on a 20Mb connection. Once I turned off QoS I got the full 20Mb.

Cheers,
Richard.

[phil699]

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=179477#

think thats mine. got a feeling its a 54mb one not a 125.