Draft N Router Coverage: When the "n" in 802.11n really means "not yet"
by Gary Key on August 30, 2006 5:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Networking
Unencrypted Throughput - Server to Client
Our throughput test continues with the performance of our three Draft N routers against the NETGEAR RangeMax 240 router based upon the Pre-N MIMO technology. These series of tests measure the performance of our clients when receiving information from the desktop server.
Our Belkin N1 has the best overall scores in the maximum and average throughput test results of our Draft N collection while having average results in minimum minimum. The NETGEAR WPNT834 Pre-N router once again offers the most consistent performance. Our Linksys unit suffers a severe performance drop at the 80 foot range. We tested at this range several times and always had the same result. After reviewing the test script results we noticed the Linksys had very sporadic connection rates during each of the tests. Although we never lost a signal it was obvious that the Linksys was having severe communication issues at this distance.
Encrypted Throughput (WPA2-PSK) - Server to Client
The NETGEAR WPNT834 Pre-N router has the highest throughput overall with results almost doubling the capability of the other routers in the average results test in testing beyond 80 feet ranges. The NETGEAR WNR834B once again provides the most consistent throughput of the Draft N routers in the encrypted tests. The Linksys WRT-300N suffers when encryption is turned on and posts the worst results of the Draft N routers.
Once again we see the Belkin and Linksys units struggling with encryption enabled in the majority of our distance tests. It appears NETGEAR's firmware and driver implementation are simply optimized better especially considering the NETGEAR and Linksys Draft N routers are based on the same Broadcom Intensi-fi chipset. The NETGEAR WNR834B actually shows no loss and up to a 10% improvement at the 40 foot range in this particular test.
Our throughput test continues with the performance of our three Draft N routers against the NETGEAR RangeMax 240 router based upon the Pre-N MIMO technology. These series of tests measure the performance of our clients when receiving information from the desktop server.
Our Belkin N1 has the best overall scores in the maximum and average throughput test results of our Draft N collection while having average results in minimum minimum. The NETGEAR WPNT834 Pre-N router once again offers the most consistent performance. Our Linksys unit suffers a severe performance drop at the 80 foot range. We tested at this range several times and always had the same result. After reviewing the test script results we noticed the Linksys had very sporadic connection rates during each of the tests. Although we never lost a signal it was obvious that the Linksys was having severe communication issues at this distance.
Encrypted Throughput (WPA2-PSK) - Server to Client
The NETGEAR WPNT834 Pre-N router has the highest throughput overall with results almost doubling the capability of the other routers in the average results test in testing beyond 80 feet ranges. The NETGEAR WNR834B once again provides the most consistent throughput of the Draft N routers in the encrypted tests. The Linksys WRT-300N suffers when encryption is turned on and posts the worst results of the Draft N routers.
| Unencrypted versus Encrypted Throughput - Maximum Mbps Percentage Difference - Server to Client |
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| 10 Feet | 40 Feet | 80 Feet | 120 Feet | |
| Belkin N1 | -20.88% | -12.26% | -31.25% | -21.48% |
| NetGear WNR834B | -7.80% | 0.00% | -4.67% | -14.65% |
| Linksys WRT-300N | -13.33% | -33.40% | 68.60% | -14.06% |
| NetGear WPNT834 (Pre-N) | -16.73% | -12.18% | -13.54% | -12.55% |
| Unencrypted versus Encrypted Throughput - Average Mbps Percentage Difference - Server to Client |
||||
| 10 Feet | 40 Feet | 80 Feet | 120 Feet | |
| Belkin N1 | -40.43% | -65.70% | -57.74% | -31.88% |
| NetGear WNR834B | -9.07% | 10.03% | -25.28% | -27.40% |
| Linksys WRT-300N | -55.92% | -54.97% | -31.58% | -24.14% |
| NetGear WPNT834 (Pre-N) | -13.63% | -9.85% | -9.03% | -8.04% |
Once again we see the Belkin and Linksys units struggling with encryption enabled in the majority of our distance tests. It appears NETGEAR's firmware and driver implementation are simply optimized better especially considering the NETGEAR and Linksys Draft N routers are based on the same Broadcom Intensi-fi chipset. The NETGEAR WNR834B actually shows no loss and up to a 10% improvement at the 40 foot range in this particular test.
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buleyb - Thursday, August 31, 2006 - link
After they got caught with those HTTP redirects in some of their routers in 2003, I really don't trust them. Plenty of good products from the company, but a router...I think not. Only use I see of them is to test the chipset they used...Hypernova - Thursday, August 31, 2006 - link
It this even legal?! The more I look at it the more it looked like a commerciallised ECM Chaffing weapon. This thing is devastating in an apartment.Frumious1 - Thursday, August 31, 2006 - link
I'm thinking of getting one just so I can nuke all the other wireless networks in an area. Hell, maybe I can set something up in a car and go cruising around town? Adds new meaning to the term "WAR Driving"! :DI <3 Gigabit Ethernet
lopri - Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - link
BTW it seems like Gary writes all AT articles these days. What's Anand doing? :Plopri - Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - link
I wish this article came out like 2 weeks ago. I've just bought 2 Linksys -N routers (future-proof, anyone?): one for home, one for the office. :( The performance has been terrible indeed. My system rather connects to a neighbor's unsecured network due to consistent drop of this Linksys junk. I'm just hoping the neighbor is either ignorant or nice enough to not cut me off the internet. Of course I can't even think of connecting my main rig without worrying disconnects.This got me a little curious. I'm assuming these different Draft N routers may not communicate at the "N" mode, but they are fully compatible if you select the "G" mode. Are they?
Talking about 802.11g, it'd be great if AT can test if these Draft N products have any advantage over current 802.11g products. (like G to G vs N to N)
Works with Vista pre-RC1!
Gary Key - Thursday, August 31, 2006 - link
The compatibility is just not there across the (G/N) board yet. We do have new Linksys, NETGEAR, and D-Link routers/cards coming that are suppose to show improvements. If they do, I still think it will be incremental at best. The majority of firmware and driver changes have been for compatibility issues with throughput only increasing a few percent. Our next roundup will be a quick review of the new routers with a more in-depth look at compatibility. I will say at this time that the NETGEAR PC card worked better with the Linksys router than the Linksys PC card did most of the time.
Works with 5536 also. ;-) However, Linksys has not stated official support for Vista yet. :)
yyrkoon - Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - link
Is this what 802.11i turned into ? Was supposed to offer a range of up to 50 miles, non line of sights, with speeds up to 50Gbit ( I think) was over a year ago when i read about it in wired magazine . . .buleyb - Thursday, August 31, 2006 - link
802.11i was the security (WPA2) standard, you're WAY off with that. If you're thinking more like WiMAX (802.16...), then that's the fast wireless at distance, but still not what this article is about...gerf - Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - link
"Fast Ehternet network"I'm not concerned, as there were drafts of "G" put out before it was official. If you're so ancy to get "N" then go ahead. At least you'll be funding/encouraging further development.
Wesley Fink - Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - link
Corrected.