Wireless G bandwidth, streaming video, and common home router limitations

[Bateluer]

Okay, so I have my main desktop and my laptop sitting closest to me on my desk. On the longer length of my L shaped desk, I have three towers that I use for various purposes, studying, playing with OSs, S@H, etc.

I also have an older Linksys WRT54G router, which has 4 10/100 ethernet ports as well as support for B/G wireless.

Since my 3 testbed towers don't have any wireless capabilities, I wish to keep them on wired connections. I also like to keep my main desktop on the faster wired connections.

My notebook has the only wireless chipset capable of functioning under Windows and multiple flavors of linux, however, one the common uses for my notebook is streaming video files from my desktop to my laptop. However, many videos will studder to the point of unwatchability. This occurs on multiple formats and sizes, with the trend being that the higher quality the video, the more its going to studder. Understandably, HD videos won't play well on a Dothan, such as the one in my notebook, however, I am seeing this studdering on many lower quality videos.

There's nothing obstructing the wireless signal, such as wells or barriers. The router is located in the same room on my notebook.

Is there anything I can do so help this situation? I already have the latest drivers from Intel for the wireless chipset.

Secondly, why do personal routers only have 4 ethernet ports? Sure, you could easily daisy chain additional switches into the network, but that adds a mess of cabling and complications.

Which complete computers easily under the 300 dollar mark, is it so uncommon that people while have more than 4 machines in their household?

Are there even any gigabit routers with more than 4 ports either?

 

[NickOlsen8390]

I have a kinda similar setup, main desktop, about 8 servers, laptop.
All of it is hooked to a 24port Gigabit managed HP switch. I stream movies to my desktop all the time. Desktop is GigE so is the server. Wireless AP is a D-link DGL-4300 in AP mode(old router, i now use a higher end router) My laptop connects to it at normal wireless G 54Mb/s
Doing some tests here movies streamed well, Even a IMAX fighter pilot movie, Only thing that had problems was the 8GB version of the movie Shooter that is at 1080p, SNMP on the switch port showed about 21Mb/s of traffic while watching that so it was getting up to the upper limit of G. Laptop could decode it fine, but it did studder some. So i would look at Interference and things like that. Download netstumbler and see what other networks are in range.

Personal routers have 4 ports because most people don't need more then 4. If you need more then 4 ports in a house chances are you know "something" about networking.

 

[Modelworks]

Can always go the http://www.pfsense.com route.
Its what I did after feeling limited by the average consumer router.

 

[NickOlsen8390]

yeah, dedicated linux type routers like pfsence, smoothwall....ect are the only way to go now a days. If you want the best avalible settings and control.

 

[ScottMac]

What are your wireless settings?

Have you surveyed to see if there are other wireless networks or devices that are interfering? If not get, load, and run NetStumbler (www.netstumbler.com). It will show you what your wireless environment looks like. Keep you 802.11g channel setting to channel 1, 6, or 11 only.

Update you client software / firmware / drivers to current.

Post your wireless settings, Router, firmware version, client software version, etc.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Secondly, why do personal routers only have 4 ethernet ports? Sure, you could easily daisy chain additional switches into the network, but that adds a mess of cabling and complications.

because 99% of End-users do not need more than 4 wired ports.

In the past they use to offer 8 ports, but because of low demand the price was so high that it did make sense to buy it.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: NickOlsen8390
yeah, dedicated linux type routers like pfsence, smoothwall....ect are the only way to go now a days. If you want the best avalible settings and control.

I don't think that's going to allievate the problem, its more likely to increase the cabling problems.

I just want one box with several gigabit ports on it for a decent price, I don't think that's too much to ask.

 

[drebo]

His problem is entirely (W)LAN side. Wasting electricity on a linux machine he doesn't need isn't going to help him. Neither is gigabit.

The main problem is that the absolute fastest throughput you will get out of 802.11g is 26Mbps, and that's being generous. Even in the best of circumstances, you'll see only around 22Mbps. Depending on the quality of your wireless NIC, that may or may not be acceptable.

What model is the wireless NIC?

Also, adding a switch doesn't confuse cabling at all, and if it's what you need to do then it's what you need to do (i.e. connect the laptop to the wired LAN and ditch wireless).

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: drebo
What model is the wireless NIC?

Also, adding a switch doesn't confuse cabling at all, and if it's what you need to do then it's what you need to do (i.e. connect the laptop to the wired LAN and ditch wireless).

Its a model that came with the 915M mobile chipset, 2915BG, I believe.

You misunderstand me when I stated that the switch would confuse cabling. Its the additional cabling that I don't want.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
You misunderstand me when I stated that the switch would confuse cabling. Its the additional cabling that I don't want.

One extra ethernet cable, a small box, and a power brick would "confuse" the cabling? Color me confused.

 

[spidey07]

Wireless is slow and not suitable for streaming video. As mentioned try channels 1, 6 or 11 to see what works best.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Wireless is slow and not suitable for streaming video. As mentioned try channels 1, 6 or 11 to see what works best.

I'll try those, thanks.

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
One extra ethernet cable, a small box, and a power brick would "confuse" the cabling? Color me confused.

Its not confusing, its just unsightly. I have a 20 port 10/100 switch that I could easily hook up, but this leaves a message of cables under the desk and across the floor/pegged to the wall. I'm lazy.