Speed of the Internet

In what units speed the Internet of connection is measured

Units Kilobits per second and, in most cases, Megabits per second appear in technical specifications of devices and service provision agreements of communication with Internet service provider (Kbps; KB / with; Kb/s; Kbps, Mbps; Mbps; Mb/s; Mbps — the letter small). These units of measure are conventional in telecommunications and measure the bandwidth of devices, ports, interfaces and communication channels in them. Normal users and Internet service providers prefer not to use so specialized term, calling it "the speed of the Internet" or "connection speed"^[1].

Many user programs (torrent clients, programs loaders, Internet browsers) display data transfer rate in other units which are very similar to Kilobits per second and Megabits per second, however it is absolutely other units of measure — Kilobytes and Megabytes per second. These values often confuse among themselves as they have similar writing.

Kilobytes per second (in which the user programs display data transfer rate) can be designated as Kbayt/s, CB / with, KB/s or KBps.

Megabytes per second — MB/s, Mbps, MB/s or MBps.

Kilobytes and Megabytes per second are always written with capital letter of B both in English, and in the Russian option of writing: MB/s, Mbps, MB/s, MBps.

One Byte contains 8 bits, therefore, the Megabyte differs from Megabit (as well as Kilobyte from Kilobit) by 8 times.

To transfer "Megabytes per second" to "Megabits per second", it is necessary to increase by eight the value expressed in Mbps (Megabytes per second).

For example, if the browser or a torrent client displays data transfer rate, equal 3 Mbps (Megabyte per second), then in Megabits it will be in eight times more — 24 Mbps (Megabit per second).

For transfer from "Megabits per second" in "Megabytes per second", it is necessary to separate the value expressed in Megabits per second into eight.

For example, if the tariff plan of provider provides selection of the bandwidth equal of 8 Mbps, (Megabit per second), then when loading a torrent on the computer, the client program will display the maximum value in 1 MB/s (if from server side there are no restrictions and there is no overload).

How to test speed the Internet of connection online?

To test transmission band width, it is possible to use one of free resources of measurement of speed of the Internet: Speedtest.net or 2ip.ru.

Both websites measure transmission band width from the server which can be selected, to the computer on which speed is measured. As the channel length of communication can be from several hundred meters to several thousand kilometers, it is recommended to select territorially the closest server (though it can be strongly loaded). It is better to hold testing when activity of clients of network of provider the smallest (for example, in the morning or late night). Accuracy of measurements of connection speed with the Internet is not ideal because of a large number of different factors which strongly affect capacity, but is quite capable to give an idea of the actual speed of Internet connection.

The Internet service provider selects to each subscriber bandwidth for Internet access according to a tariff plan of the subscriber (the provider "cuts down" speed according to a tariff plan). However, many Internet browsers and also masters of loading of files, a torrent clients display width of transmission of a communication channel not in megabits per second, and in megabytes per second, and because of it often there is a confusion.

Let's test Internet connection speed on the example of the speedtest.net resource. It is necessary to click "BEGIN TEST recommended server".

The resource will automatically pick up the next to you the server and will begin to test the speed of the Internet. Capacity of the channel from provider to the subscriber ("DOWNLOAD SPEED") and capacity of the channel from the subscriber to provider ("UPLOAD SPEED") which will be expressed in Megabits per second will be result of testing.

Speed via the router "not such", the router "cuts" speed

Often, after acquisition of the router, its connections and settings, users face a problem that speed the Internet of connection became lower, than before acquisition of the router. Especially often such problem meets on high-speed the Internet rates.

For example, in the presence of the tariff plan providing "speed the Internet of connection" in 100mbit/with and at connection of a cable of provider "directly" to the net board of the computer, the speed of the Internet completely corresponds to a tariff plan:

At connection of a cable of provider to WAN port of the router, and computer — to LAN port, often it is possible to observe capacity reduction (or as it is accepted to speak, "the router cuts the speed of a tariff plan"):

It is the most logical to assume that in this scheme a problem in the router and the speed of the router does not correspond to the speed of a tariff plan. However, if to connect "slower" tariff plan (for example, 50 Mbps), then it is possible to notice that the router does not cut speed any more and "the speed of the Internet" corresponds specified in a tariff plan:

Among engineers terminology "the router is not accepted cuts speed" or "the router speed" — usually use the terms "WAN-LAN routing speed", "WAN-LAN switching speed", or "capacity of WAN-LAN".

Capacity of WAN-LAN is measured in Megabits per second (Mbps) and is responsible for router capacity. For the speed of switching of WAN-LAN and for router capacity in general, hardware equipment of the router (H/W — from engl. "Hardware", is specified on a sticker which is pasted on the device bottom) answers is a model and clock rate of the processor of the router, amount of RAM, switch model (the switch which is built in the router), the standard and the WI-FI model of the radio module (Wi-Fi access point) which is built in the router. Except the hardware version of the device (H/W) the considerable role in speeds of routing of WAN-LAN is played by the version of the set microprogram providing ("firmware") installed on the router. For this reason it is recommended to update the version of microprogram providing the device right after acquisition.

After "refirmware" or, speaking professionally, after updating of microprogram providing on the recommended version of a firmware, stability of operation of the router, level of optimization of the device for work in networks of the Russian providers, and also capacity of WAN-LAN should increase.

It should be noted that the speed of switching of WAN-LAN depends not only on the hardware version of the device (H/W) and the version of microprogram providing, but also on the connection protocol to provider.

The highest speed of routing of WAN-LAN is reached on the connection protocols DHCP and Static IP, low — when using of VPN technology by provider and if the PPTP protocol — the lowest is used.

WiFi speed

Many users connected to any Wi-Fi of network are not always happy with connection speed. The question quite difficult also needs detailed consideration.

a. Actual speeds of WI-FI technology

So frequently asked questions on this subject look:

" at me the tariff plan provides the speed of 50 Mbps — why only 20 turns out?"

"Why on a box 54 Mbps are written, and the client program when loading a torrent displays at most 2.5 MB/s (what is equal to 20 Mbps)?"

"Why on a box 150 Mbps are written, and the client program when loading a torrent displays 2.5 — 6 Mbps (what is equal to 20 — 48 Mbps)?"

"Why on a box 300 Mbps are written, and the client program when loading a torrent displays 2.5 — 12 Mbps (what is equal to 20 — 96 Mbps)?"

On boxes and specifications to devices theoretically calculated maximum capacity for ideal conditions of this or that Wi-fi standard is specified (in fact — for a vacuum).

In actual practice capacity and the area of a coverage of network depend on the noises created by other devices, extents of loading of WiFi network, existence of obstacles (and materials of which they are made) and other factors.

Many client utilities delivered by producers together with WiFi-adapters and also utilities operating system Windows, at connection on Wi-Fi display "theoretical" capacity, but not real data transfer rate, misleading users.

As show results of testing, the maximum real capacity is about 3 times lower, than that that it is specified in specifications to the device or to this or that IEEE standard of group 802.11 (standards of Wi-fi technology):

b. WLAN-WLAN. Wi-Fi speed (depending on distance)

All modern and relevant standards of Wi-fi work similarly today.

In each timepoint, active the equipment (access point or the router) works as Wi-fi only with one client (WiFi-adapter) from all WiFi of network, and all structures of network obtain the special service information about for what time the radio channel will be reserved for data transmission. Transfer comes in two-way alternative operation i.e. in turn — from active Wi-Fi of the equipment to the client adapter, then on the contrary and so on. Simultaneous "parallel" data transfer process (duplex) in Wi-fi technology is not possible.

Thus, the data exchange rate between two clients (WLAN-WLAN switching speed) of one Wi-Fi of the network created by one device (access point or the router) will be (ideally) in two and more times lower (depends on distance), than the maximum real data transfer rate in all network.

Example:

Two computers with Wi-Fi adapters of the IEEE 802.11g standard are connected to one Wi-Fi to the router of the IEEE 802.11g standard. Both computers are at small distance from the router. All network has the most achievable theoretical capacity in 54 Mbps (that it is written in specifications of devices) a real data exchange rate will not exceed 24 Mbps.

But, as the Wi-fi technology is a half-duplex data transmission, Wi-Fi to the radio module should be switched between two clients of network (Wi-Fi adapters) twice more often than if the client would be one. Respectively, real data transfer rate between two adapters will be twice lower, than maximum real for one client. In this example, the maximum real data exchange rate for each of computers will make 12 Mbps. Let's remind that it is about data transmission from one computer to another via the router on WiFi-connection (WLAN-WLAN).

Depending on remoteness of the client of network from access point or the router, "real" data transfer rate on WiFi will change "theoretical" and, as a result. Let's remind that it is about 3 times less than "theoretical".

It occurs because active WiFi the equipment, working in two-way alternative operation, together with adapters changes signal parameters (modulation type, speed of convolutional coding, etc.) depending on conditions in a radio channel (distance, existence of obstacles and noises).

When finding the client of network in a coverage with "theoretical" capacity of 54 Mbps, his maximum actual speed will be 24 Mbps. When moving the client of distance of 50 meters in the conditions of direct optical visibility (without barriers and noises), it will make 2 Mbps. The barrier in the form of a thick bearing wall or a massive metal construction can also cause similar effect — it is possible to be at distance of 10-15 meters, but behind this barrier.

c. Router of the IEEE 802.11n standard, adapter of the IEEE 802.11g standard

Let's review an example when Wi-Fi the network creates Wi-Fi the router of the IEEE standard of 802.11 n (150 Mbps). Are connected the notebook with Wi-Fi to the router the adapter of the IEEE 802.11n standard (300 Mbps) and the desktop computer with Wi-Fi the adapter of the IEEE 802.11g standard (54 Mbps):

In this example all network has the maximum "theoretical" speed of 150 Mbps as it is constructed on Wi-Fi the router of the IEEE 802.11n standard, 150 Mbps. The maximum actual speed of WiFi will not exceed 50 Mbps. As all standards of WiFi working at one frequency range are backward-compatible with each other, it is possible to be connected to such network by means of WiFi of the adapter of the IEEE 802.11g standard, 54 Mbps. At the same time, the maximum actual speed will not exceed 24 Mbps. At connection to this router of the notebook with WiFi the adapter of the IEEE 802.11n standard (300 Mbps), client utilities can display value of the maximum "theoretical" speed in 150 Mbps, (the network is created by the device of the IEEE 802.11n standard, 150 Mbps), and here the maximum actual speed will not be higher than 50 Mbps. In this scheme, the WiFi-router will work with the client adapter of the IEEE 802.11g standard at the actual speed which is not exceeding 24 Mbps, and with the adapter of the IEEE 802.11n standard at the actual speed which is not exceeding 50 Mbps. Here it is necessary to remember that the WiFi technology is a two-way alternate communication and access point (or the router) can work only with one client of network, and all other clients of network "are notified" on that time on which the radio channel is reserved for data transmission.

If the router or the cable modem became outdated, replace them

If the Internet service provider provided you the cable modem or the home gateway five years ago or more, then, perhaps, it will be required to replace such equipment. For the last few years standards of Wi-fi considerably changed and modern devices can support higher performance, than your router or access point^[2].

So, standard 802.11g (it is provided in 2003) has the maximum speed of data transmission of 65 Mbps and supports only one antenna / transmitter with the general bandwidth of 20 MHz. And protocol 802.11n (it is implemented in 2009) works in two ranges of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and supports channels 40 MHz and 80 MHz respectively.

The latest standards 802.11ac (5) and 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) can transfer to Wi-fi information on channels 160 MHz due to application of multi-user solutions and a method of space coding of a signal (MU-MIMO) allowing to increase circuit bandwidth in which transfer and data reception is performed by systems from several antennas.

Besides, also technologies of cable modems for the DOCSIS 3.1 standard which maintain data transfer rate of 1 Gbps thanks to multichannel support improved. Therefore call Internet service provider and learn whether it is possible to increase the speed of broadband access using updating of the terminal equipment to higher level.

Use the necessary range for the correct work

Range of 2.4 GHz can be the only option for outdated devices which cannot be replaced easily. However the combination of the ranges of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz is ideal for unloading of channels, especially if you live in an apartment house where many identifiers SSID are at the same time broadcast.

If the device supports frequency band of 5 GHz, then it is necessary to select it as there is no sense in use of old frequency band where it is necessary to compete with other devices of the range of 2.4 GHz in very saturated frequency range.

However keep in mind that the frequency of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz behave differently — access points of 2.4 GHz provide big reach, their signals get through walls better, but they work with smaller speed, than in the range of 5 GHz.

Place access point in the best place

Though you can have a temptation to hide the router or access point behind a piece of furniture or in a cabinet, do not do it is it will affect their performance. Deliver them on a table or on a TV-rack and close nothing. Whenever possible install the equipment as it is possible above and on open sections, for example, fix it using a wall bracket.

Quite often the source of broadband access can be mounted by provider somewhere in a corner of your house, but it is not obligatory the best place in your premises to broadcast a signal. Find more successful place for access point and connect it a long Ethernet-cable to the cable modem or the home gateway. Long cables of the fifth category (Cat 5) it is possible to order online and it is easy to lay on the attic or in bypass space.

If you have no power supply socket for access point where you place it, try to use the access points compatible to Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology. For connection of these access points it is necessary to purchase the PoE Ethernet switch which can be installed near the home gateway or the cable modem and also other network equipment.

Switch off Wi - Fi - the channel of 2.4 GHz on the old router and do not allow double broadcast of the network addresses

If you buy the additional router / access point for improvement of network, surely switch-off the channel in the range of 2.4 GHz on the existing router as you do not need several networks of broadcasting to 2.4 GHz — it only increases an overload.

If you cannot update the gateway (as the bnternet-provider only supports him), try to purchase access point for small business or the consumer wireless router which can be installed in the mode of AP/Bridge (level 2). It becomes using the application on the smartphone or web user interfaces for the router or access point.

Under no circumstances do not execute secondary broadcast of the network addresses (Network Address Translation — NAT) behind the initial router as it will cause a set of problems with connection to network and performance.

d. WiFi speed via the router. WAN-WLAN

If it is about connection on Wi-Fi to connection to Wi-Fi to the router, then the speed of loading of a torrent can even be lower, than those values which were stated above.

These values cannot exceed WAN-LAN switching speed as it is the main characteristic of capacity of the router.

Thus, if in specifications (and on a box) devices data transfer rate on Wi-Fi up to 300 Mbps is specified, and the WAN-LAN parameter for this model, its hardware version, version of microprogram providing and also type and the connection protocol is equal 24 Mbps, then data transfer rate on Wi-Fi (for example, when loading a torrent) under no circumstances cannot exceed value of 3 MB/s (24 Mbps). This parameter carries the name WAN-WLAN which directly depends on WAN-LAN routing speed, on the version of microprogram providing ("firmware") set on Wi-Fi the router, radio module Wi-Fi (the access point of WiFi which is built in WiFi the router), and also on characteristics of Wi-fi of the adapter, its drivers, remoteness from the router, a zashumlennost of an air and other factors.

Consider the possibility of expansion of a scope of network

If necessary to cover house communications bigger space there are several methods to expand a home network and to increase stability of remote work. PLC-and MoCA-adapters, Wi-Fi of Mesh-network and some other solutions can be for this purpose used.

Ethernet over PowerLine adapters (in Russia and the CIS countries such technology it is accepted to call Power Line Communication — PLC) transmit Ethernet signal on the electric network of your house. But, depending on quality of wiring and distance between sockets in which connect PLC adapters you, most likely, will not see also close advertized data transfer rate of 200-400 Mbps but only you will approach 100 Mbps or receive even less.

MoCA Adapter for Ethernet over Coax which use coaxial connections in your house for implementation of cable television can be effective solution for connection of switches and access points of Wi-fi too in different parts of the building as they are capable to provide gigabit Ethernet speed.

But they can be quite dear. You need the router or the home gateway supporting MoCA or you will need to purchase several adapters. By the way, the equipment of the latest Bonded 2.0 MoCA standard provides data transfer rates to 1 Gbps with much more reliable and stable connections, than Wi-Fi.

The network products Mesh represent groups of access points which interact with each other with the help of several built-in Wi-Fi-modules and are intended for the quiz show, service and optimization of connections to your devices on all house.

At the Wi-fi setup of Mesh-network the node is connected to the broadband device (for example, to the router, the home gateway or the cable modem), and additional nodes interact with it in the wireless way, forming the distributed peer-to-peer mesh network.

Though Mesh-networks can be highly effective, their nodes are also subject to problems with placement, as well as any other access point of Wi-fi, and they best of all work when are on a line of sight from each other. In the presence of any obstacles, such as thick walls, they lose connectivity or do not function at all.

Whenever possible use wire Ethernet for the main computer in a workplace

If you can physically connect the main working computer to a wired network of Ethernet and also directly to the router or the switch, then it is worth making it. So for certain will be quicker. And it will always be the most reliable connection.

If your notebook has no Ethernet port (as at new MacBook or Microsoft Surface) think of purchase of a docking station with USB-C/Thunderbolt connectors which provides several ports, including exits of Ethernet, USB-A, USB-C and HDMI for external monitors.

Notes

This instruction is prepared and published by Morozov Ivan Aleksandrovich — the head of Training Center of representative office of TRENDnet in Russia and the CIS. If you wish to increase the level of own knowledge in the field of modern network technologies and network equipment — we invite on a visit to free seminars!