125mbps router help

[patt]

ok ive got a belkin 125mbps router for my pc, and a linksys 125mbps usb adaptor for my laptop,

there both set up internet works fine and file sharing works ok but slow,
and just for the setting up stage ive got them sat on the same desk, about a meter apart, and when file sharing im only getting about 2.5m-bytes per sec, where as for 54g shouldn't it be somthing like 6mega bytes per second,

but also this set up is capable of 125mbps, which is somthing like 16mega bytes per second, and i getting now where near that,

i know its ok to use two different manufacturers on 54g, but can you use two different manufactures increased 125mbps technology

and quality mbps is obviously going to degrade over distance, but shouldn't i be getting almost full speeds form having them a meter apart,

ok, now this next bit might sound dumb, but maybe some of you can relate,, i dont know how many of you guys are from the UK, but ive got a standard semi detached house, and the router is located in the downstairs back room, the room in front of the garden, but as sonn as i exit that room and head into the hall, and stand by the front door, my connection has already gone to low, is this normal?, its only about 8 metres !!

hope you can help

[Stuart]

Bear in mind that the only time you will get 125 meg is in absolutely perfect conditions.

I have a Linksys WRT54G router, and a Belkin wireless card. I have never got the full 54mbps from it. Most of the time, it manages 30. Similar situation to you, except I am less than two metres away fromt the router (but still in another room).

There are many reasons for this. Wireless connections at the 2.4 GHz wavelength (used by many routers) are particulary susceptible to interference from buildings for one. At some channels, they can suffer from interferance from household appliances (particulary those that have large motors, or draw a lot of current). It's also possible that any routers in the neighbourhood are interfering.

Also, that 125mbps (or any quote maximum network speed) assumes that you have perfect conditions, and also that there are no network control signals (such as TCP/IP packet headers), and these can take a significant amount of bandwidth.

You can't do anything about the control signals (they are all needed), but you can try manually changing the wireless channel on your router, which may improve things a bit.

[patt]

at the moment the icon in the bottom of the screen says 54mbps and that the signal is excellent, but this is when the laptop is less than a metre away from the router,

but if i move say ten meters away the connection drops to somthing like 18 or 11mbps and signal strengh is either low or very low, would interference from other routers cause this sort of problem?

whats sort of problems do other peoples routers cause?

and when the laptop is really close shouldn't it say 125mbps on the icon on the bottom right, or will it always say 54 mbps as the highest but can work at higher speeds.