Why do i get MUCH slower speedtest results when i plug my computer into my router instead of just my cmodem?

Question

I live on long island. I have optimum online cable internet service. The service is supposed to provide 15mb (peek) download and up to 8mb upload. I have NEVER seen these results! when i plug my computer into my cable modem i may get up to about 8mbs download and 4 up.. fine.. but when i plug my pc into my router (a new netgear rangemax 802.11g router with 4 port switch) i am lucky if i get 2.5mb download speeds and maybe 1-1.5mb upload.
WHY!?!?! also, i have my wireless network secured with wep-psk2 using TKIP passkeys and its even on a dif channel then some of my neighbors but my laptop constantly looses connection and the ONLY solution people have for me is REBOOT your router!!! whoop dee doo!!! how come a cisco router for my office NEVER needs a reboot!?!?!?!!?

Answer 1

Your security settings will slow your wireless connection. Remeber it takes a bit of time to encrypt and decrypt a signal going from the wireless router to a wireless computer.

Answer 2

The NetGear router is a low end router. It is not designed to have the same data packet throughput as the Cisco switch at your office. Cisco equipment costs between $900 and up.

The Cisco switches we buy cost about $1,500-$2,500 depending on what we want.

Cisco equipment is a much better product which results in better network throughput. Much better than what Best Buy or Circuit City sells to the consumer.

It's like comparing a chevette (your router) to a ferrari (the Cisco switch).

Broadband companies advertise their upload and download speeds for a wired connection to the cable or DSL modem. Beyond that as you add devices you can create network bottlenecks.

If the router you have is constantly performing poorly get another one. If you want a good one spend some money. Good ones retail for around $300+.

Answer 3

First: Usually providers don't deliver the speed they theoretically deliver.

Second: The wireless part of your 802.11g router is (by far) not as fast as the wired part.

Third: The encryption also uses data -> takes down the netto speed.

Fourth: wireless connections can suffer from other signals, pretty much anything. Read up about more recent 802.11 N routers for better and stronger signals.