Peter Jakab
Dabbler
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2015
- Messages
- 37
Hi All,
I performed lot of tests and try to share my results for community. And also worked and actually working in one of biggest mobile communication companies. I use my spare time to consult with old mobile gurus what we do wrongly and how to design.
First of all the Wifi is radio technology so its is limited due:
- shared medium with more clients on same medium (switched cables is dedicated between your PC and switch),
- radio wave just working in air not works in below ground level. Is it possible with more reflection reach level but loosing power. In Gigahertz level the waves could reflecting from wall and passing through doors but also loose power.
- If you have any blocking between receiver and transmitter antenna receive level goes down and if reach Noise floor than end of game. SNR (signal to noise) margin called the expert the budget where we have place to play.
- Transmission could disturbed by other (several times wrongly configured) access points also. I my old block of flats that was WAR for 2.4Ghz range. Yes that is real war with over standard transmitters and about 15-25 overlapping on 2.4Ghz channels . Meanwhile I go to shop and ask for 5Ghz system where I was the only access point.
- Non access point interference typical the microwave oven:
and you own video camera also
- Stupid channel selection by neighbors. Default setting Auto mean at boot time perform channel scan and make decission at that time. The problem that is changing over time and not automatically rescan. If you set it manually be care channel 3 mean also also use 1, 2, 4 and 5 because the spectrum mask (valid for 5Ghz also).
- Changing over time. If you see 54Mbps, 150Mbps or 300Mbps the link speed that was try few seconds ago. The most problematical in radio data communication change speed real time and change protocol real time. What is see now not valid for future.
- Several access point have processor and/or memory limitation. Same situation as in cheap switches. Enterprise access points much more better just we unable pay for that for home usage.
- You loose also performance based on half-duplex, Acknowledge, CSMA/CA (yes this is close to Ethernet CSMA/CD) meanwhile in cable not really necessary (theoritically not from economy point of view). But in share radio frequency you need have collission avoidance mechanism.
- I was problem when I make test with my old laptop just have 802.11b/g 54Mbps capable card. I not understand why is my other tablet show just 54Mbps. The access point for compatibility switch back to 802.11g operation and my 802.11n just running on 54Mbps speed. So avoid old wifi clients in your range. Most of the access point not able handle independently different protocols for the clients parallel.
Enterprise class
Good access points have more antennas (3 and more) and have possibility to have more SSID parallel put in VLANs. But they also have higher costs of course.
Perf test:
1.Good wifi analysers (non professional on smartphone or tablet) show them: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pzolee.android.localwifispeedtester&hl=en
But I also used Wifi Analyzer https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer&hl=en
and InSSIDer
2.You can use test programs to check TCP (theoritical), Samba and Ftp speeds: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pzolee.android.localwifispeedtester&hl=en Don't forget in setting the file size and block size settings throughput deppend on that. SMB test so funny on NAS the created file visible in the shared folder. What they download if no upload first time, but it works?
If you would like see full performance: just one client in range, no more access point could detected on same frequency range, close to the access point (max. 1-2 meter)
The different protocols and their limitations. I added the FreeNAS related topic results below
Source: http://www.speedguide.net/faq/what-is-the-actual-real-life-speed-of-wireless-374
1. 802.11b 11Mbps theoritical (2.4Ghz) - real 2-3Mbps (mean 0.25-0.375MByte/sec transfer rate)
FreeNAS: Just enough to check your text based mails no more (forget attachments). This is really old legacy avoid as possible category.
2. 802.11g (2.4Ghz) and 802.11a (5Ghz) 54Mbps theoritical - real about 20Mbps (mean 2.5Mbyte/sec transfer rate).
FreeNAS: I tested for for Samba horror slow download (2.4-2.7Mbyte/sec). Video and file transfer not this category. But could used for DLNA voice transfers succesfully. Example small hifi for my school girl: DLNA server with voice files (ground floor), small old smart phone with phone jack and small 2.1 loudspeakers with built in rectifier (1st floor for 2.4Ghz not problem) .
3. 802.11n this is based on 150Mbps and multiplications (MIMO) you can buy 150Mbps, 300Mbps, 450Mbps and 600Mbps versions (of course cost increased also). Be care avoid the marketing bullshit 600Mbps same time mean 300Mbps on 2.4Ghz and 300 on 5Ghz so that is not same datasheet said 802.11n 5Ghz 600Mhz.
Typically on 2.4Ghz have less speed and 450,600Mbps just available on 5Ghz. 2.4Ghz have longer distance, but are you really would like transmit you network to neighbors also? 5Ghz have cleaner frequency (less neighbor have devices) and due smaller cell less possibility of interference. But 5Ghz mostly room limited meanwhile 2.4Ghz enough for small house also.
Link above said 40-50Mbps and with new boxsed 70-80Mbps in 40Mhz channel width mode.
2.4Ghz. My results was about 20-30Mbps SMB results which is several times dropped to smaller link speed. With 4096byte block size this is more worst about 10Mbps. That is visible in simple Samba file transfers also about 700-1100Kbps.
5Ghz: My wifi router TP-link WDR-3600 just give me 150Mbps in 802.11.n on 2.4Ghz range
300Mbps (on 5Ghz clean frequency) - real I measured with the wifi speed test (URL above) 80-102Mbps TCP test and 30-40Mbps with SMB test 16384byte block size (mean 3.75-5Mbyte/sec transfer rate).
FreeNAS: That is the point when you can see DLNA video streams HD 720p error free and Full-HD 1080p with same errors. Be care for Full-HD 1080p you need also powerfull player several smart phones and tablets have limitation inside. You can easly filter out those ones: copy Full-HD movie not high compressed format (yes it is least 20-30Gbyte) and check locally if drop-outs in the frames where is the most changes in screen. Example I use SciFi movies for this testing with battle in space.
File transfer also slow compared to Fixed Gigabit speeds 80-110Mbyte/sec. Think about that fact 70-80Mbps above mean 8.75-10Mbyte/sec instead.
If you would like see DLAN Full-HD 1080p error free:
- 5Ghz mandatory
- client inside same room as wifi router (because the 5Ghz just allow this). If more room then more access point necessary (and good planning needed: no overlapping on same or close channels).
- I recommend least 600Mbps to reach my 40-60Mbps fixed line bandwidth under DLNA plays from Minidlna. 450Mbps just economical not good 600Mbps wifi routers have small difference.
- Channel width 40Mhz or better (instead of old 20Mhz)
- Think as same in Ethernet way if you would like transmit stable 50Mbyte/sec then radio min.600Mbps. Simple over planning (your budget also).
4. 802.11ac the latest player with theoritical 1300Mbps. Not just access point but also clients have to support it.
Not my play area yet but if my father really want see Full-HD on his tablet then I need to buy it.
URL said 70-100Mbps real mean 8.75-12.5Mbyte/sec. Compare to 80-110Mbyte/sec fixed and forget any wifi
Need check File transfer at this level. Could possible works on very close clients. Why not use gigabit cable instead for small distance?
Good Access point settings:
- Be care set your country in settings. Due we have different frequency laws wordwide. I see goverment nice truck which measure illegal use of other frequencies and have high fine if you do mistake.
- Check you protocol setting in both client and access point (called wifi router in home/SOHO)
- Scan frequency how is use what. if the full mask is free choose those freuqency (yes in 2.4Ghz just 3 channel possible 1, 6, 11 and same countries the 14)
That is the beggining of channel war:
- VERY important: Set your transmit rate to minimal and check is it enough or not. Just increase with one step if not enough. If you transmit in full level then not just have security possibility of hacking (yes WPA also just more resource needed) but also you start make the overlapping war with your neighbors. If you have good Wifi device then you are able to set more than High, Medium and Low. I see Ericsson businness access point when you can set the transmit power by mWatt in 15 steps.
- You can transmit in your access point higher than allowed by law (1000mW in my country) but after neighbor unable communicate they also buy big power pack and your client is the limitation. Do you have tablet or smart phone with about goverment power level transmit capability?
- WEP and WPA never use that was also game in 1998 for me to check how many WEP and fully open access point in city meanwhile I drive car. Use least WPA2/PSK and AES instead.
Summary:
Any Cat5/5e/6 cable above 100Mbps always faster, dedicated and could error free (if no cable or NIC errors) so better that wifi you can pay (home users). That is theoritical fact.
I try to avoid consultation about human impact of Ghz frequency. Please don't ask me. Just based on my collected knowledge I try avoide Wifi always on just turn on when needed. The always on systems on stable fixed cable without any problems.
Please don't forget share us your results.
Jackson, as an IT engineer in fixed+mobile networking area
I performed lot of tests and try to share my results for community. And also worked and actually working in one of biggest mobile communication companies. I use my spare time to consult with old mobile gurus what we do wrongly and how to design.
First of all the Wifi is radio technology so its is limited due:
- shared medium with more clients on same medium (switched cables is dedicated between your PC and switch),
- radio wave just working in air not works in below ground level. Is it possible with more reflection reach level but loosing power. In Gigahertz level the waves could reflecting from wall and passing through doors but also loose power.
- If you have any blocking between receiver and transmitter antenna receive level goes down and if reach Noise floor than end of game. SNR (signal to noise) margin called the expert the budget where we have place to play.
- Transmission could disturbed by other (several times wrongly configured) access points also. I my old block of flats that was WAR for 2.4Ghz range. Yes that is real war with over standard transmitters and about 15-25 overlapping on 2.4Ghz channels . Meanwhile I go to shop and ask for 5Ghz system where I was the only access point.
- Non access point interference typical the microwave oven:
and you own video camera also
- Stupid channel selection by neighbors. Default setting Auto mean at boot time perform channel scan and make decission at that time. The problem that is changing over time and not automatically rescan. If you set it manually be care channel 3 mean also also use 1, 2, 4 and 5 because the spectrum mask (valid for 5Ghz also).
- Changing over time. If you see 54Mbps, 150Mbps or 300Mbps the link speed that was try few seconds ago. The most problematical in radio data communication change speed real time and change protocol real time. What is see now not valid for future.
- Several access point have processor and/or memory limitation. Same situation as in cheap switches. Enterprise access points much more better just we unable pay for that for home usage.
- You loose also performance based on half-duplex, Acknowledge, CSMA/CA (yes this is close to Ethernet CSMA/CD) meanwhile in cable not really necessary (theoritically not from economy point of view). But in share radio frequency you need have collission avoidance mechanism.
- I was problem when I make test with my old laptop just have 802.11b/g 54Mbps capable card. I not understand why is my other tablet show just 54Mbps. The access point for compatibility switch back to 802.11g operation and my 802.11n just running on 54Mbps speed. So avoid old wifi clients in your range. Most of the access point not able handle independently different protocols for the clients parallel.
Enterprise class
Good access points have more antennas (3 and more) and have possibility to have more SSID parallel put in VLANs. But they also have higher costs of course.
Perf test:
1.Good wifi analysers (non professional on smartphone or tablet) show them: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pzolee.android.localwifispeedtester&hl=en
But I also used Wifi Analyzer https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer&hl=en
and InSSIDer
2.You can use test programs to check TCP (theoritical), Samba and Ftp speeds: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pzolee.android.localwifispeedtester&hl=en Don't forget in setting the file size and block size settings throughput deppend on that. SMB test so funny on NAS the created file visible in the shared folder. What they download if no upload first time, but it works?
If you would like see full performance: just one client in range, no more access point could detected on same frequency range, close to the access point (max. 1-2 meter)
The different protocols and their limitations. I added the FreeNAS related topic results below
Source: http://www.speedguide.net/faq/what-is-the-actual-real-life-speed-of-wireless-374
1. 802.11b 11Mbps theoritical (2.4Ghz) - real 2-3Mbps (mean 0.25-0.375MByte/sec transfer rate)
FreeNAS: Just enough to check your text based mails no more (forget attachments). This is really old legacy avoid as possible category.
2. 802.11g (2.4Ghz) and 802.11a (5Ghz) 54Mbps theoritical - real about 20Mbps (mean 2.5Mbyte/sec transfer rate).
FreeNAS: I tested for for Samba horror slow download (2.4-2.7Mbyte/sec). Video and file transfer not this category. But could used for DLNA voice transfers succesfully. Example small hifi for my school girl: DLNA server with voice files (ground floor), small old smart phone with phone jack and small 2.1 loudspeakers with built in rectifier (1st floor for 2.4Ghz not problem) .
3. 802.11n this is based on 150Mbps and multiplications (MIMO) you can buy 150Mbps, 300Mbps, 450Mbps and 600Mbps versions (of course cost increased also). Be care avoid the marketing bullshit 600Mbps same time mean 300Mbps on 2.4Ghz and 300 on 5Ghz so that is not same datasheet said 802.11n 5Ghz 600Mhz.
Typically on 2.4Ghz have less speed and 450,600Mbps just available on 5Ghz. 2.4Ghz have longer distance, but are you really would like transmit you network to neighbors also? 5Ghz have cleaner frequency (less neighbor have devices) and due smaller cell less possibility of interference. But 5Ghz mostly room limited meanwhile 2.4Ghz enough for small house also.
Link above said 40-50Mbps and with new boxsed 70-80Mbps in 40Mhz channel width mode.
2.4Ghz. My results was about 20-30Mbps SMB results which is several times dropped to smaller link speed. With 4096byte block size this is more worst about 10Mbps. That is visible in simple Samba file transfers also about 700-1100Kbps.
5Ghz: My wifi router TP-link WDR-3600 just give me 150Mbps in 802.11.n on 2.4Ghz range
300Mbps (on 5Ghz clean frequency) - real I measured with the wifi speed test (URL above) 80-102Mbps TCP test and 30-40Mbps with SMB test 16384byte block size (mean 3.75-5Mbyte/sec transfer rate).
FreeNAS: That is the point when you can see DLNA video streams HD 720p error free and Full-HD 1080p with same errors. Be care for Full-HD 1080p you need also powerfull player several smart phones and tablets have limitation inside. You can easly filter out those ones: copy Full-HD movie not high compressed format (yes it is least 20-30Gbyte) and check locally if drop-outs in the frames where is the most changes in screen. Example I use SciFi movies for this testing with battle in space.
File transfer also slow compared to Fixed Gigabit speeds 80-110Mbyte/sec. Think about that fact 70-80Mbps above mean 8.75-10Mbyte/sec instead.
If you would like see DLAN Full-HD 1080p error free:
- 5Ghz mandatory
- client inside same room as wifi router (because the 5Ghz just allow this). If more room then more access point necessary (and good planning needed: no overlapping on same or close channels).
- I recommend least 600Mbps to reach my 40-60Mbps fixed line bandwidth under DLNA plays from Minidlna. 450Mbps just economical not good 600Mbps wifi routers have small difference.
- Channel width 40Mhz or better (instead of old 20Mhz)
- Think as same in Ethernet way if you would like transmit stable 50Mbyte/sec then radio min.600Mbps. Simple over planning (your budget also).
4. 802.11ac the latest player with theoritical 1300Mbps. Not just access point but also clients have to support it.
Not my play area yet but if my father really want see Full-HD on his tablet then I need to buy it.
URL said 70-100Mbps real mean 8.75-12.5Mbyte/sec. Compare to 80-110Mbyte/sec fixed and forget any wifi
Need check File transfer at this level. Could possible works on very close clients. Why not use gigabit cable instead for small distance?
Good Access point settings:
- Be care set your country in settings. Due we have different frequency laws wordwide. I see goverment nice truck which measure illegal use of other frequencies and have high fine if you do mistake.
- Check you protocol setting in both client and access point (called wifi router in home/SOHO)
- Scan frequency how is use what. if the full mask is free choose those freuqency (yes in 2.4Ghz just 3 channel possible 1, 6, 11 and same countries the 14)
That is the beggining of channel war:
- VERY important: Set your transmit rate to minimal and check is it enough or not. Just increase with one step if not enough. If you transmit in full level then not just have security possibility of hacking (yes WPA also just more resource needed) but also you start make the overlapping war with your neighbors. If you have good Wifi device then you are able to set more than High, Medium and Low. I see Ericsson businness access point when you can set the transmit power by mWatt in 15 steps.
- You can transmit in your access point higher than allowed by law (1000mW in my country) but after neighbor unable communicate they also buy big power pack and your client is the limitation. Do you have tablet or smart phone with about goverment power level transmit capability?
- WEP and WPA never use that was also game in 1998 for me to check how many WEP and fully open access point in city meanwhile I drive car. Use least WPA2/PSK and AES instead.
Summary:
Any Cat5/5e/6 cable above 100Mbps always faster, dedicated and could error free (if no cable or NIC errors) so better that wifi you can pay (home users). That is theoritical fact.
I try to avoid consultation about human impact of Ghz frequency. Please don't ask me. Just based on my collected knowledge I try avoide Wifi always on just turn on when needed. The always on systems on stable fixed cable without any problems.
Please don't forget share us your results.
Jackson, as an IT engineer in fixed+mobile networking area
