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Forum Discussion
Upgrading Internet Speed, Reliability, and Connectivity
Hi all, I am loking for input and adivce on how best to upgrade my internet speed, realiability, and connectivity. My current set-up is Internet Service: (300 Mbps Cox Internet (Scottsdale, AZ) ...
How big is your home?
What's it made of for the interior walls? Certain materials block wifi very well.
Reason I ask is the WHW0303 is a pretty solid mesh system in terms of performance. Its actually ranked #2 in terms of AC mesh systems.
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/rankers/wifi-system/view
It should have no issue handling 300mbps. (you won't hit that speed if you're connected to 2.4ghz because its slower) You do get some drop off of speed with moving from node to node but its a solid performer.
I'd be a bit curious why you aren't able to max out your speeds before investing in a new system. reason why is if its a line issue from cox, it'd be pointless to upgrade. Or if its a home structure issue, the $ might be better invested in having someone hardwire in a few ethernet jacks around the home. Or moca adapters.
Again, it'd be better to find out what the actual bottlenecks in the system are before dropping a grand on a new system.
- Thank you plemans!
The home is 3,200 square feet. It has 1/2 inch thick drywall interior walls.
How else would you recommend troubleshooting, should I pay to have Cox come out and test the line?
Your advice is greatly appreciated.plemans One other thing to share. My speed tests standing next to the modem/router is running 280 mbps+ download speeds.
When I run the test anywhere downstairs (my modem/router is upstairs) the tests are coming back in the 45-55 mbps range. It may have something to do the flooring/ceiling or the two routers downstairs are not functioning correctly with the mesh system.
Thoughts?
The 3200sqft is about perfect for your setup. I have a similar sized home and structure and used to run a route plus 2 satellites for indoors and it covered fine.
Here's how I'd start troubleshooting.
1. hardwired directly into the modem with a pc/laptop. Ensure you get full speed at the mode.
2. Then test the router and each satellite hardwired in with the pc/laptop. You want to make sure the router is getting full speeds from the modem. And then you want to ensure proper placement of the satellites. They can be to close together. Netgear usually recommends a minimum of 30 feet from router---satellite to ensure devices roam properly. write down what speeds you're getting.
If you're getting full speed from the router and then decent speeds from the satellites hardwired in, then it'd be time to start troubleshooting the wireless on the satellites. Since you say the router gets full speed when close to it. You might check with linksys and/or their forums for specific settings with the velop. I've never used it but I have used several other mesh systems and many times optimizing can make significant differences.
If you don't get decent speeds hardwired in, then I'd investigate placement of the satellites as well as again, check with linksys forum/support.
That system should be able to function quite well. I'm not pushing you away from netgear but it should be a pretty solid setup you have for what your speeds. once you hit gigabit, then an upgrade to AX would be beneficial (if you have AX devices).
and again, maybe you want to investigate hardwiring in the satellites. I know in my home, all my phone lines were ran with cat5e line and I was able to switch all the jacks to RJ45 and have a switch in my utility room. so for roughly $50 (diy) i was able to hardwire in many devices and all my satellites. It significantly improved performance in my home.