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VernonX's avatar
VernonX
Guide
Dec 18, 2016

Does Netgear EX7300 add value

My configuration is complex and has R8500 (1) with EX7300s (2) and EX7000s (3); it used to be EX7000s only (4). They all use the same 5Ghz SSID. One of the EX7000s (A) reports status connection speed as 1300mbps--it is on on the same floor as the R8500 and within 15 feet. Another EX7000 (B) was on the second floor near but enough to the R8500 to show a connection speed of 1100 - 1300mbps. EX7000 (C) shows connection speed of less than 900mbps--it is on second floor and two walls beyond (B) away from R8500. EX7000 (D) is on same level as R8500 but three walls and 20 feet away, connection speeds shows as 700mbps. My problem is that this configuration has signifianct internet speed dropoff--I have 150mbps [Comcast] service but for (C) and (D) speeds are less than 100mbps. All the EX7000 use Fast-lane 5GHz connection to router and 2.4GHz is disabled. I use the ethernet ports on the EX7000s to connect devices at the various locations.

 

To address the internet speed dropoff problem I added an EX7300 (DD) between the R8500 and (D). It is only two walls away from the R8500. (DD) has 2.4GHz disabled and (D) uses Fast-lane to connect to it. (DD) shows 1300mbps conection to R8500 and (D) show 1300mbps connction to (DD).

 

I replaced (B) with EX7300 (BB). (BB) has 2.4HGHz conncetion disabled and only uses 5Ghz and shows connection to R8500 as 1300mbps and (C) using Fast-land shows 1300mbps connection to (BB).

 

Comments:

(1) EX7300 ethernet port assigns same device name to all devices connected through ethernet port. This is confusing in the device table on the R8500. Should be fixed. This is not a problem for the EX7000.

(2) What I need help on is understanding why my internet speed is not impacted (+/-). I get 180mbps off wired connection to R8500, but less than 100mbps through the extenders. The extender parh should (speedwise) look like a gigabit connection!

(3) it looks like I should return the EX7300s (I do not see a sufficient benefit to MU-MIMO alone). 

 

5 Replies

  • Using extenders will add a 50% throughput penalty.  You would only see MU-MIMO benefit when two or more MU-MIMO clients are connected to a router that supports it (if it does it correctly). If you want more consistent throughput, configure your extenders as Access Points - use Ethernet cables to connect Access Point to the 8500 -  (for those that support it).

    • Thanks, not a solution for my configuration.

       

      I do not use wireless on the extenders (EX7000s). All devices at EX7000 location are connected to the ethernet ports (or USB port) on the EX7000.

       

      I do not see a 50% drop in internet throughput as configured.

      • Hello, I wold like to know if Netgear EX7000 speed 2,4 gh up to 600mb is better than EX7300 speed 2,4 gh up to 450mb in longer distance!!!!!in some forums advise EX7300 for longer distance, but in theory EX7000!!!!sorry for my bad english!!!!

  • CONFIGURATION UPDATE: Removed (BB) and used (B) instead. the increased speed [1733 versus 1300] for (BB) is not an advantage and using (B) eliminates the device reporting issue noted before. MU-MIMO not worth additional cost of EX7300 (BB) since I already have the EX7000 (B). Connection speed for (B) and (C) show as 1300mbps.

     

    Getting up to 180mbps internet for computer connected to (C) ethernet port.