WiFi performance questions/issues

[quink]

I'm having trouble with transfer speeds on my DS212+.
I have a D-Link DWA-160 usb wireless card and a DIR-825 router. Both are set on 5ghz with 802.11n only. My laptop is also on the same network. When transferring files from my laptop(wireless) to the 212+(wired) I get around 8-10mb/s. When transferring to the 212+(wireless) I get 3-4mb/s. Any suggestions if this is normal or expected? It seems a bit slow to me.

[mike42dk]

Hi

Could it be the distances/walls between the router and DS, or router and PC, the problem with wireless, is that just a short distances from the router and the connection speed drops.

And by my experiences the 5 GHz net is with my old Dlink router (DIR 855) a week point regarding distances.

Even with most new routers the 2.4 GHz net often gives better connection speed over longer distances, unless you are in a house with allot of 2,4 GHz transmitters.

The upload speed on 8-10 MB is something like a 100 M/Bit connection, and could just right for a wireless connection that runs though walls.

[quink]

There are no walls or issues like that. The router and disk station are in sight of each other with no obstructions. As a test I even put it in a location where it was reporting 100% reception to the router. Same with the laptop.
It just seems like very slow rates when I'm running on a fast 802.11n setup.

[RiversRed]

I'm not an expert but perhaps

4mb per second from the labtop to the router and
4mb per second from the router to the NAS
equals the 8 mb per second you get when you only use wifi to upload to (wired) NAS.

[iMax]

Why do you prefer 5GHz over 2.4GHz wifi network?

Unless you have a cordless telephones around I suggest opting for the 2.4GHz frequency.

I quote " The higher the frequency of a wireless signal, the shorter its range. Thus, 2.4 GHz networks cover a substantially larger range than 5 GHz wireless networks. In particular, the higher frequency wireless signals of 5 GHz networks do not penetrate solid objects nearly as well as do 2.4 GHz signals, limiting their reach inside homes."

and quote "Some people mistakenly believe 5 GHz network technology is newer or somehow more innovative than 2.4 GHz."

Some things to consider,

Can you try another USB port for your dongle?
Are you using a USB Hub? (Remove it)
Do you have many USB devices attached at the same time? (usually this is limiting USB bandwidth)
Do you have any other devices besides a phone that may interfere with the signal? (refrigerator, microwave etc)

How many dbs is your signal strength?

[henkg]

About 5 GHz: My experience is that it is almost twice as fast (13 MB/s read, 11 MB/s write) as 2.4 GHz (6-7 MB/s). But only on shorter distances, without severe obstacles.

But why use a wireless connection between router and DS anyway? My DS is placed close to the router, wired. My only physical access to the DS is once every two weeks, when I swap the USB backup HDD.
For me this is the only optimal setup, because my desktop (not my laptop) is connected wired to the router, so the desktop can read with 95 MB/s, write 85 MB/s (from / to a DS412+).

[iMax]

@henkg,

Let's not create impressions that 5 is better than 2.4.
It's the same protocol 802.11n but at different frequencies.

In your case you had interference with other devices and for this 2.4 is slower that 5.

However as I stated, 5Ghz limits the distance.

What you suggest is absolutely logical, why cap the bandwidth of your NAS by using a WiFi gateway in the middle? It makes perfect sense.

In my case I use LACP with a HP1080G switch to get that 2Gbp link up. Transfer speeds are fast (80-120MB/s) even from a single Host.