NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
Ethernet versus wireless when your wired system is stuck with a 10/100 switch
The system is configured with both satellites and the Router (in AP mode) connected to the ATT Pace Router. It seems to be running great though one day I caught the Orbi Router glowing red. I didn't have time to deal with it and the next day all was well.
I have read the comments in other strings that the Ethernet connection is ALWAYS superior to the wireless. What I did not see in those pronouncements is whether the presence of a 10/100 switch between the Orbi units and the router would change this. My house came with a GE Security system that has a 10/100 switch built into the panel. GE abandoned the security business and sold out and it appears that a gigabit switch component was never created. Upgrading that switch in the telco setup will be a PIA. I had thought that resetting the Orbi units to wireless might give a speed boost. Now I am less sure because of the several factors that cut speed in half multiple times.
Will the Orbi Wi Fi be faster than ethernet run through 10/100 equipment? If so, how much? If so, where are the instructions for swapping out the mode?
If the WiFi truely is ALWAYS slower, it looks like I am going to be building a fancy patch setup to make room for a gigabit switch as in this photo.
Ok, so the sollution for this was in Regional Settings.
I have chosen Europe, and that limited the txpower to max 18 dBm (63 mW). I have changed the region to Canada for testing and that gave me much more txpower and better Wifi connection to the bedroom. I will play with the settings to see what is the best for me. Maybe i choose Canada and put it on 75% or put it manual with iwconfig.
root@RBR50:/# iwlist ath0 txpower
ath0 8 available transmit-powers :
0 dBm (1 mW)
5 dBm (3 mW)
9 dBm (7 mW)
13 dBm (19 mW)
17 dBm (50 mW)
21 dBm (125 mW)
25 dBm (316 mW)
29 dBm (794 mW)
Current Tx-Power:29 dBm (794 mW)Thank you guys for your suggestions!I really apreciate it.
BR and be safe from the covid-19.
8 Replies
No photo attached.
with photo
When you talk about wired vs. wireless connectivity, to which interfaces do you refer to:
- Interface between Orbi and the ISP router?
- interface between Orbi router and satellites?
- interface between devices and Orbi network?
Pace Router (isp) to 10/100 switch > House Cat5e > Orbi Satellites is the setup.
Internet comes into the house at gigabit plus speed. First device it hits is a fast Pace Router. Second device it hits is a 10/100 switch. From the 10/100 switch cat5e carries data to the three Orbi devices.
My alternative setup is to connect Orbi router (AP) to the Pace directly. Then connect each Orbi sattellite via wifi back to the Orbi router.
This is the question... is the ethernet backhaul ALWAYS faster than the wifi? Or does the presence of a 10/100 bottleneck in the form of a switch, make ethernet a slower option than the wifi?
