How to test wireless network? Updated

[need4spd]

I have a Linksys Wireless AP+Cable Router and a Linksys wireless USB adapter.

Since I am fairly new to networking ... I would like to test the system to see how it is performing.

is there a www site ?
Update got it ...qcheck

What would be the easiest most effect way to do this.

I sure would like to know if this is the best system....seems like so many people here are recommending the SMC model.....perhaps I should exchange the linky for SMC.


UPDATE 1-5-02: Ok.. traded out the Linksys Wireless Router for a SMC Wireless 7004 ...When using the same USB Client adapter (Linksys USB11 v2.5) I get very similar results when running qcheck.... although the reading from my USB configuration utility is showing worse Link Quality and Signal Strength when using SMC wireless router...

-------results------

SMC
LINK 60 %
SIGNAL STRENGTH 53%

LINKSYS
LINK 70%
SIGNAL 66%
-------------

QCheck identical with both routers.

TCP THROUGHPUT
LINKY= 258.065 Mbps
SMC=258.065

UDP THROUGHPUT
LINKY=166.667 Mbps
SMC=166.667

Same with my primary system...

TCP THROUGHPUT
LINKY=720.000 Mbps
SMC=720 Mbps

UDP THROUGHPUT
LINKY=553.000 Mbps
SMC=553.000 Mbps

 

[ScottMac]

www.netiq.com. Get the program Qcheck. It's free.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[need4spd]

thanks Scott..
I will check it out

-Steve

 

[Richard98]

I use the SMC and Orinoco pcmcia cards. I'm using my laptop a floor directly below my router and I get:

Radio Connection:Excellent
SNR 28dB
Signal Level -62dBm
Noise Level -90dBm

Your link quality doesn't sound that great. Does it get any better?

 

[need4spd]

Sometimes link hits 80% ..but signal strength is always 60-66%

BTW when I download the program mentioned above,, from the PC with the wireless adapter I got 38.6 KB / sec is this any good??

hehe.. I have alot to learn about this stuff

 

[Richard98]

I tried downloading the program too.

When I selected TCP - Throughput, I get 4,600 Mbps
TCP - Response Time - 7 ms
UDP - Throughput - 3500 Mbps

I expected higher throughput numbers.

 

[need4spd]

Using Qcheck on the remote machine with usb adapter

I get these #s .. not so hot !?

TCP - Throughput - 246.000 Mbps
TCP - Response Time - 1 ms
UDP - Throughput - 160.000 Mbps

 

[need4spd]

--------

OK, I have Linksys wireless AP+cable router. I am using the Linksys USB adapter on the remote PC 50ft away.

Internet is very fast on both machines and I have no issues at all.

BUT, when I try to transfer files from remote PC to my Primary PC it takes a very long time and my host machine appears to be running in s-l-ow motion (even real small jpg files) (is this typlical?)

As I stated in a diff thread I get these results when using the Q-Check software
Using Qcheck on the remote machine with usb adapter

Qcheck:
TCP - Throughput - 246.000 Mbps
TCP - Response Time - 1 ms
UDP - Throughput - 160.000 Mbps

Linksys utility I get:
LINK QUALITY is 66%
SIGNAL STRENGTH is 60%

My question is.... what can I do to improve this set-up?

Some of my choices:
A) Trade the Linksys for a SMC Wireless AP+Router (no prob store has 10 day exchange)
B) Trade the Linksys USB adapter for a different unit (SMC??)
C) Forget exchanging and be satisfied with this performance

Thanks

 

[Gunther]

I have a smc wireless router and I am getting about the same as you are, I am getting around 280-440 throughput and around 50-70% signal strength, but you have to consider that I am using a d-link usb adapter and its going from my garage downstairs through a nice thick firewall all the way across the house and upstairs, which is pretty bad. So I am happy with what I am getting at least the bandwith is enough for cable.

 

[Nighthawk69]

need4spd: I _personally_ would make the exchange for the SMC router since that option is still available to you. I don't see where it could be any worse than the Linksys product, but I would assume it would be better if anything as so many people recommend it and as the last poster said, he is getting about the same speeds as you but is going through concrete, floors and some walls!! Heck, I bought one, but I have not tried the wireless part yet as I am waiting for my Orinoco USB adapters.

Let us know what you do!

Regards,

 

[need4spd]

OK... Just got back with the SMC7004AWBR unit !
Since I have both models Linksys and SMC...I will be able to compare these two models side by side. So I will run some tests with Linksys unit... then swap it out for the SMC. I decided to keep the Linksys USB adapter on the other machine for the time being.. so I can verify what increase I get with the router... then I will prolly get the Orinoco USB Adapter - Gold.. this also seems to be the "best" available.

Oh well... my rainy Saturday will be spent indoors

Thanks for advice ... will report back later

 

[Nighthawk69]

I'm very interested in what you find. Let us all know!

 

[Gunther]

Well here are my findings. I currently have one computer with a dlink usb adapter and another with a linksys usb adapter. I have found that using qcheck they perform about the same. In win xp when you have a wireless connection there is this icon in the system tray and and it gives me the signal strength. With the d-link on both computers I get about 2-3 out of 5 bars, but when I use a linksys I get the max amount of bars. The weird thing is that when I use the utilities given by the companies the signal strength and link quality are the same one both adapters. Another card I have tried is the linksys adapter + pc card which SUCKS only gave me one bar in the win tray. Also I tried the netgear usb adapter, but I can not really comment on this one because it was when I was using a linksys wireless router and not the smc I am currently using. I would love to try out one of the new orinoco gold usb adapters, but 150 is 50 way too expensive.

 

[need4spd]

Question about qcheck...

1) for testing purposes which computer do I run it from .. Main PC or remote PC?

2) What do I put in "From Endpoint 1" (I always use local host?)

3) What do I put in "To Endpoint 2" (again.. local host?)

Lastly... to do any additional tests of a wireless system .. what other kind of tests should one do?

 

[Tallgeese]

<< I would love to try out one of the new orinoco gold usb adapters, but 150 is 50 way too expensive. >>

Only $125 shipped...which is still $25 too expensive

 

[need4spd]

Nighthawk69

I changed out the Linksys Wireless AP Cable Router for the SMC7004 Wireless unit... kept the same Linksys USB adapter.

Here are the results of some tests...

Using the Linksys USB Utility ..
I get worse readings with SMC then with Linksys AP.

SMC
LINK 60 %
SIGNAL STRENGTH 53%

LINKSYS
LINK 70%
SIGNAL 66%
-------------

QCheck identical with both routers.

TCP THROUGHPUT
LINKY= 258.065 Mbps
SMC=258.065

UDP THROUGHPUT
LINKY=166.667 Mbps
SMC=166.667

Same with my primary system...

TCP THROUGHPUT
LINKY=720.000 Mbps
SMC=720 Mbps

UDP THROUGHPUT
LINKY=553.000 Mbps
SMC=553.000 Mbps

---- oh well...one of the routers has to go back to store

 

[Gunther]

<< Only $125 shipped...which is still $25 too expensive >>

Hmmm.. tempting, but not so sure of the company that is selling it.

 

[johnbowen]

I'm concerned with the way you guys are reporting your numbers, using Qcheck. I have a Linksys 10/100 Router with a built in Network Access port. my two desktops have a transfer rate, with 100 Base T cards installed, of about 75 MB/sec. This seems reasonable given that they are supposed to run around 100 MB/Sec. My laptop, Dell Inspiron 8100 has a wireless NIC. I have tried the PC-Cards, with these TCP Throughput results:

Linksys-3.3 MB/Sec
Compaq-3.5 MB/Sec
Belkin - 3.8 MB/sec
Seimens-3.6 MB/sec
HP/Orninco-3.9 MB/sec

In other words, they all run about the same. This is using a 1000 kb sized file. The only real difference in performance from all the cards I've tested, is the quality of the software, and their range/sensitivity.

ranked from best to worst, software.