Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

Most Internet WIFI routers can use a 2.4GHz or 5GHz signal to provide WIFI.
They both will work, to provide a WIFI connection to your computers WIFI hardware.
But they do not provide, the same exact speed.

If your WIFI router and your computers WIFI hardware, can use the 5GHz signal.
Set it up to use it.
The difference in speed, over a 2.4GHz signal, is 2 to even 4 times faster.

The only issue with 5GHz, it has less distance range, than a 2.4GHz signal.
But it usually is not that big an issue, unless the distance from computer, to the WIFI router, is a lot.
Does usually have less signal strength, because it is easier to block, by stuff in your house.
But I find the drop in strength is not all that much.

You can test the connection speed, by using one of the many speed tests, you can find on the internet.
In a browser search: speed test.
Maybe try to use one, that is not a test provided by someone, that also is selling Internet connection service.
No way, would you think, they would make your speed, look low, to sale you their service

In tests on my equipment.
I found going from a 2.4GHz to 5GHz improved speed test results.
I see improvements of 3 to 4 times faster speed.

I do see a little speed difference, between different hardware.
The newest hardware, does have the best speed results.

Location of computer to location of router, can have an affect on the speed results.
I have one desktop computer, using a WIFI USB adapter, plugged into a USB base, sitting on my desk.

Moving it to different locations on the desk, changed speed test results.

Note:
When I was using 2.4GHz and scanned the area for WIFI signals.
A lot of 2.4GHz signals were found.
Several of them using the same channel I was using.
Really was no 2.4GHz channel not being used. ( there are only 14 channels and some overlap)
So set my WIFI router to using the less used channel, that was not one of the overlapping ones.

Scanning for WIFI signals only found one 5GHz signal.
That was my WIFI router signal.
Changing to using 5GHz was the way to go.
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For more information on improving WIFI speed.
Good source of useful stuff:
https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/yes- ... fi-slower/
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11 ways to make your WIFI faster:
https://www.cnet.com/pictures/easy-ways ... our-wi-fi/
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bigpup wrote: ↑Sun Aug 07, 2022 2:16 pm

In tests on my equipment.
I found going from a 2.4GHz to 5GHz improved speed test results.
I see improvements of 3 to 4 times faster speed.

.

thats quite a speed difference.
How fast is your connection supposed to be?
did you test your router/connection with a ethernet cable for comparison also?

My Internet service, connected by Ethernet cable, to a computer.
Is what my service contract provides.
250 Mbps

With WIFI connections, using a WIFI router, it drops to half that speed or less using 5GHz WIFI signal.
2.4GHz signal is 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, or 1/2 that speed, depending on location in the house.
I have a lot of 2.4GHz signals in my area, and with very few channels to use in 2.4GHz, there is some interference from them.

The tech guy, that installed the fiber optic system, told me that is about average for what he sees with WIFI.

Ethernet connection is the only way to see the full speed of 250Mbps.

I made him prove it, by hooking my laptop up by Ethernet cable, directly to their hardware.
I got the full 250Mbps.

I used my own speed test, not one he offered to use.

A lot of different things can and do affect WIFI signals.

There is always talk in the US, that internet service providers, throttle their service, at different times, to make you think you need to buy a faster service.
I would need to constantly test the Ethernet hookup, to see if I see any of that.

I am using my own WIFI router, not one provided by the Internet service.
Never tried WIFI from there WIFI router.
I am not going to rent theirs to use.
Who knows, they could have something that throttles there input into my WIFI router.

Some of you try using 5GHz WIFI signal and see what your results are?

A lot of different things can and do affect WIFI signals.

lots of thing affect speed including server delivery speed. BTW, you are close to chapel hill with a good connection? what speeds do you get from Ibiblio when downloading

https://distro.ibiblio.org/easyos/x86/r ... .2-x86.img

There are 2 tests, I think, ALL PUPs should have.

To date, ONLY 1 developer @ETP has taken the step to address one of the test I feel should be in EVERY PUP/DOG, but is currently not there.

@ETP NOT ONLY addresses this with an on-screen message alert, but, HE helps us with a vocal alert as well. I applaud him and I think only 1 other developer @666philb has seen and tested this. @ETP sees the world as a multimedia world...not just text. His method alerts us when ISP is connected and also when any disconnect occurs. It works without any need to use one's router for such.

1. One of the TWO: Am I connected to the internet currently? @ETP solves this, if, development wants such. (Some developers are NOT in favor of making it smart-easy for user use. It's their choice for such. Many of this forum development see things otherwise with their choices.)

2. The other tool that is NOT in ANY PUP (unless a developer-user is astute enough to have tested or done so) is a cron job to test speeds from the internet to one's home. This can/should be done at a timely manner, especially, if one wants to know whether their ISP is/is-not throttling.

williwaw wrote: ↑Sun Aug 07, 2022 7:04 pm

A lot of different things can and do affect WIFI signals.

lots of thing affect speed including server delivery speed. BTW, you are close to chapel hill with a good connection? what speeds do you get from Ibiblio when downloading

https://distro.ibiblio.org/easyos/x86/r ... .2-x86.img

ibiblio has and probably will always be slow to download from.
They like it that way.
I usually get around 2 to 5 Mbps and much less download speeds.

Being owned and run by University of North Carolina.
They are not trying to be the best place for speed.

bigpup wrote: ↑Sun Aug 07, 2022 9:43 pm

They are not trying to be the best place for speed.

Thanks for the test. I don't expect them to be fast. but half way around the world, they are much slower. More like 10% of the speed you get, and on a connection that is proven capable of 2-3 Mbps. Lots of factors to consider when looking for speed I suppose. perhaps lost or dropped packets if one rules out local equipment

This video emphasizes @bigpup's opening post info.

Hope this is helpful

Very helpful!

Thanks!!

I added this web site link to the first post.
Did not intend, for this topic, to provide all possible ways to improve WIFI speed.
But providing the link, to more information, is not a bad idea.

Maybe I will just stand in front of my WIFI router, with my arms held out.
Who knows, it seems to help with a TV and radio antenna reception

bigpup wrote: ↑Sun Aug 07, 2022 5:46 pm

Some of you try using 5GHz WIFI signal and see what your results are?

375 - 400 MB/S with an iMac, 21 inch, 2013 (Linux or macOS)