Ping and wireless network link speed

[Dreadmaker]

So, wireless network junkies :

I need some help. I normally have a high, but reasonable ping (anywhere from 100-200) but recently, in the past few days, I can't connect to a server without at least 700, and it hit 2000 today. I don't understand what's going on.

I noticed today that my link speed on my network has dropped from about 36-54 to about 12-18. Could this be a cause?


anything you guys can do to help I would be much appreciative... I'm about ready to kill something right now.

 

[Lu?]

Wireless = Fail

but really, what router do you have? it could be dieing, the average consumer ones aren't very good

 

[Dreadmaker]

It's not an old router; mostly I think the problem lies with my ISP.

THAT SAID: I haven't had this problem until a few days ago. I feel like I want to attack something... I get on the servers, and low and behold, I have a ping of 996. and it's always about 996. The servers themselves have a ping of about 1700 at times, but in-game, it seems that the max it can go is 999, and mostly all I've seen is 996.


I've rebooted both the router and the wireless receiver; I've rebooted my computer. I've defragged my disk, and I've gotten rid of a bunch of crap. My comp is running faster than ever before, but that has done roughly nothing.

 

[Cpt. Hopi]

Go to the steam settings.
Click downloads.
Make sure it's correctly set as your internet connection.

If this doesn't help then sorry I wouldn't know that much about wireless stuff.

 

[Techdre]

Connect via Cat5 and see if you get the same problem. If you do then I would think your ISP has it in for you but if not then your router is the issue.

You may want to check for any firmware update form your router manufacture.

 

[Rezist]

try to just do a simple repair on your wifi card... you can also remove the adaware by using adaware se or something... if u use xfire it migth be that it sometimes downloads crap that you dont need you should disable that

 

[MenOpaws]

What kind of security protocol do you have set up on your wireless router? If you haven't any, it might be that your neigbor is connecting through your router to the internet, and causing you to loose bandwith. Use at least 128 bit WEP eventhough this is not the best one, but it works, and fairly easy to setup.

 

[gamblor]

I noticed today that my link speed on my network has dropped from about 36-54 to about 12-18. Could this be a cause?

Most likely this is not the issue. 12Mbps (Megabits per second) is slow in regard to networks (most wired networks support at least 100Mbps, if not 1Gpbs = 1000Mbps), but 12Mbps is insanely fast in regard to internet download speeds. In my area, a standard RoadRunner connection currently maxes at 7MBps, and spending the extra $9.95/month for RoadRunner Turbo still only gets you 10Mbps. So even a 12Mbps connection to your wireless router should be more than enough to take full advantage of what your internet connection is capable of.

The problem is more likely your ISP. As suggested, I would try a wired connection to your router and see if anything improves. If not, then either

1) your ISP is having problems (in which case you should call and complain), or
2) there's likely a system on your network that is slowing down your entire connection. Do you have any other systems running p2p programs (like bittorrent or limewire)? If so, turn them off and try again. There is also a really bad, third option which is
3) you might want to look at the router logs and see if there is a system generating lots of traffic. If so, someone might have broken into your system. A common type of attack is for someone to gain access to your system, and then use your system to act as an IRC file sharing system (to illegally share copyrighted materials).

 

[Rogue Sniper]

Most likely this is not the issue. 12Mbps (Megabits per second) is slow in regard to networks (most wired networks support at least 100Mbps, if not 1Gpbs = 1000Mbps), but 12Mbps is insanely fast in regard to internet download speeds.

12mbs is his wireless connection speed to the router, not download speed.

Try cat 5 cable. If that works, try passwording your router. If that doesnt work check to make sure none of your family is downloading or uploading anything all the time.

 

[Atten]

A friend of mine had this problem, the problem was a p2p program, not sapping the actual connection speed, but filling up nearly all the TCP slots the router was willing to offer.

 

[gamblor]

12mbs is his wireless connection speed to the router, not download speed.

Right, and the internet connection is plugged into the router. The router certainly can't serve packets any faster than what it is receiving. So if the router is only receiving 6Mbps, then it can't serve the systems connected to it any faster than 6Mpbs. Thus, any connection to the router that is >= 6Mbps is sufficient to take full advantage of what the internet connection is capable of.

 

[Deacon]

If you're doing torrents please make sure that you aren't being swarmed. If you're not and your link from your PC to your router has dropped make sure that there are no new wireless devices in the area which are interfering with your wireless connection. You may have 12 Mbps which is more than enough for a single gamer; however 12 Mbps w/ 0 TCP retransmissions is better than 12 Mbps w/ 100 TCP retransmissions. It's all about signal AND TCP quality.

Definitely try playing w/ a wired connection and see if that make a difference. If you can't hook up w/ a wire then try to move any wireless/hands free devices away from your router. Readjust the antennas and make sure you're getting the best signal possible. Change the wireless channel. If set to auto, set it to a manual number... just make sure you match the channel on your wireless NIC. I think for the Nintendo Wii you should use channels 2 or 11 (or something like that). Call the router manufacture tech support line or visit their tech support website. Linksys has an online troubleshooter... It isn't great, but its a starting point.

Finally... visit d-link and buy their DGL-4500.

P.S. Dom, your "break wireless routers and force people to buy a D-Link" script is working.