Slow Access Point

kipTry

Hi,

I've connected pfsense to an Access Point (TL-WA901ND). This are the settings:

Multi-SSD: WiFi and WiFi for Guests, each one in a different vlan
11n only, auto channel, 40MHz, wpa2-psk (aes)
static ip and dhcp disabled (in the AP, enabled in pfsense)
It is connected using a CAT5e cable

I have a connection of 300Mb/30Mb that I get using an ethernet cable (pfsense -> PC). If I use WiFi (pfsense -> AP -> PC) I get 30Mb/30Mb, why?. I should get near to 80-100, right? because the ethernet input of the AP is 100Mb.

Thanks.

Derelict

Probably a better question for TP-Link.

40Mhz channels are not recommended on 2.4GHz. Set your base channel to 1, 6, or 11. Not auto. If you see anyone around you on anything other than 1, 6, or 11, track them down and thump their skull. Get a 5GHz access point.

MacBook Pro Core i5 -> 5GHz/40MHz/WPA2/AES -> Ruckus 7372 -> MoCA -> pfSense 2.2.4 -> 100/10 Cable Modem WAN

MCS Index 15

UDP iperf to pfSense interface: 95M/95M - Pretty much the maximum for the MoCA.

Speedtest.net 92/8.5.

Not in the mood to tear my network apart and gig-e the AP.

thermo

That sounds about right for 2.4Ghz n, there is no guarantee that you are getting 40Mhz wide channels as the wireless n spec. says drop down to 20MHz if other APs are detected broadcasting on the second channel. So unless you are on a ship in the middle of the ocean with no neighbours, you're unlikely nowadays to get usable 40Mhz operation.

johnpoz

"I should get near to 80-100, right?"

Says who - what is your client? How many streams? As stated 2.4 really can only do 20mhz channels.. So even with 3 streams you would be lucking to hit close to your max wired connection that has that is 100.. so max is at best say mid 90's Love it how they market 450 on that thing when its got a 10/100 connection.. So where you going to get even /2 your PHY rate of 450??? Just so full of it ;)

While looks like that AP can do 3 streams - what is your client? 1 Stream 2.4 20mhz at 800 ns gi your look at best 65 PHY.. now do /2 of that to be more real world and your right where you would expect..

Doesn't matter if you had a 3 stream AC router or 1300 PHY.. if you only got 1 stream client that does 20mhz on 2.4 that is your limit!!

kipTry

Ok, I set the AP to: 11n, 20MHz and channel 1 (it is almost free in my home)… and I get the same 35-45, so it is the best I can get with this AP, right?.

I don't understand why in the specifications put "11n: Up to 450Mbps(dynamic)" if the interface is 10/100M and the frecuency is 2.4GHz.

Well, I'll look for an AP of 5GHz with a gigabit interface, but they are expensive…

Thanks!

Derelict

I don't understand why in the specifications put "11n: Up to 450Mbps(dynamic)" if the interface is 10/100M and the frecuency is 2.4GHz.

Because Wi-Fi marketing to consumers is full of theoretical maximums that are essentially impossible to achieve. And lies. I suppose you might, theoretically, be able to get more than 100Mbits between wireless clients as that wouldn't bottleneck on the fast ethernet.

johnpoz

Yeah client to the AP is 450 PHY.. But now next client you would have /2 of that automatically.. I can see how they can report PHY.. But come on – your wired interface is not even capable of half of your PHY your talking 1/4 of what your PHY is reported as so WTF would be the point???

Well you could get more if your client could do more than 1 stream.. Seems that is your limit.. You could in theory be seeing mid 90's with that AP but not if your client is only 1 stream..

3 streams at 20mhz with 800ns gi is 195 so do /2 of that to get you in real world your bottleneck would be the 10/100 interface on the device. But if your client only has 1 stream, low end laptop wifi, phones, etc.. very common to only have 1 stream.. What is your client in this testing??