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rarebreedfarm's avatar
Jan 06, 2021
Solved

Internet speed drops when sent through WBC502 AirBridge

I have a WBC502 bridge connected to a BR500 router. The other end of the bridge is connected to a WAC540 AP. Using the Insight app I test the internet speed at the router and get a result of 504.02 Mbps down. When I test at the master side of the AirBridge i get a down speed of 148.64 Mbps. The down speed of the AP is 100.25 Mbps.

 

The speed drop from AirBridge to access point seems reasonable, but the drop from the router to the AirBridge seems very high.

 

Any ideas on how to resolve that speed drop?

  • plemans 

     

    I think I figured this out, and I am a bit embarassed. the receiving unit of the WBC502 was behind a window, which I had been told from a local tech guy wouldn't cause a problem. Out of curiousity I moved the unit and got 300mbps from the WBC502 and WiFi.

     

    Thanks for all the suggestions, I don't think I would have figured this out if I didn't take the time to connect directly to the AirBridge and AP.

12 Replies

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru - Experienced User

    A couple things to try. the built in speedtest isn't the most accurate so try this. 

    direct connect a pc/laptop to the airbridge and do a speedtest using the pc/laptop to test speeds. 

    Then reconnect the wac540 to it and connect the pc/laptop to the wac540 and test the speeds. Don't use the built in speedtest. 

    What do you get on these tests? 

     

    Another thought is the Netgear Airbridge is supposed to be pretty solid when  using line of sight. I've never tested on ( BretD ChristineT  :) )  so I can't speak from any personal experience but a drop from 500mbps to 150mbps is quite significant. Is there anything in the way or how far are you broadcasting? 

    • I'll run those tests, but no there is nothing in the way of the receiver. It's a pretty short distance between them, less than 500 feet.

      • plemans's avatar
        plemans
        Guru - Experienced User

        again, I've never used the WBC502 but supposedly its rated to 500mbps at 500ft with clear line of site and lined up properly. It'd be fun to test one to see what the actual numbers are. I did ask in a Q&A about actual usage but didn't get a clear answer on speed drop off with distance. And I haven't seen any actual tested data/reviews on one so I can't tell you what an appropriate drop off is. 

        I'd try the testing first to see if the app was giving you reliable info versus testing with a hardwired device. Let me know how it goes 

  • schumaku's avatar
    schumaku
    Guru - Experienced User

    rarebreedfarm wrote:

    I have a WBC502 bridge connected to a BR500 router. ..., but the drop from the router to the AirBridge seems very high.


    This is a Gigabit-capable wired Ethernet link, isn't it?

     

    The WBC502 is direction sensitive - is the bridge device front aligned looking direct to the WAC540?

      • plemans's avatar
        plemans
        Guru - Experienced User

        so at 500ft, there shouldn't be that much of a drop for the airbridge. 

        so main wbc502 hits 150mbps

        AP side hits 100mbps. 

        A bit of a drop there. 

         

        the main issue is finding out why the main wbc502 is dropping from the routers 500mbps to the 150mbps. 

        Again, I'd try testing not using the built in test to start with. 

         

        schumaku Thanks for that! Again, it'd be fun to actually test and see if those numbers are accurate. 

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