Overclocker Cafe - Actiontec Cable/DSL Router Review

Actiontec Cable/DSL Router

The Tests

As I said, I wanted to push this router hard. I set up 2 separate test locations and used multiple computers. My goal was to try and use the equipment in as many real world situations as possible. Who cares what the straight line effectiveness of the stuff is? Who transmits from window to window? All the machines were running either Windows XP Home or Professional. For testing the bandwidth, I used Qcheck from NetIQ using TCP and a data size of 1000 bytes. Hardware wise, I used a some Linksys WMP11 cards and some Actiontec USB dongles.

Test #1

B = The location of the Actiontec Router

E1 & E2 are computers with wired Ethernet

1 is a computer with an 802.11b NIC

U and 2-6 are a laptop with an 802.11b USB dongle

Results, Test #1

(encryption was not used)

LOCATION	From - To	Speed in Mbps (rounded to lowest tenth)
Main Room	E1 - E2	94-97
	E1 - 1	5.1 – 5.7
	U - E1	4.9 – 5.3
	U - 1	2.5 – 2.7
Location #2	U - E1	5.1 – 5.2
Location #2	U - 1	2.4 – 2.5
Location #3	U - E1	5.1 – 5.2
Location #3	U - 1	2.3 – 2.4
Location #4	U - E1	5.1 – 5.2
Location #4	U - 1	2.3 – 2.4
Location #5	U - E1	5.0 – 5.1
Location #5	U - 1	2.3 – 2.4
Location #6	U - E1	4.9 – 5.0
Location #6	U - 1	2.1 – 2.3

Test #2

Results, Test #2

(encryption was not used)

Testing is to a wired computer next to the router. The router is connected to a cable modem. All locations are a laptop with a 802.11b USB dongle
LOCATION	Speed in Mbps (rounded to lowest tenth)
1	4.9 - 5.0
2	5.0 - 5.2
3 (located on 1st floor under 2)	5.0 - 5.1
4	4.2 - 4.5
5	see following paragraph

Location 5 is in my Jeep on the road. From about 250' to 300' in either direction the speed was 1.0 - 1.2 Mbps. My last contact point was about 325' at less than 1 Mbps. I lost the signal there. Once the signal dropped I had to come back to around 200 feet before I could get it back. One interesting note. One of the neighbors has a 802.11b network, it is not secured ;)

I was able to connect to the internet from all locations. No lag was visible until 160' and then most people wouldn't notice it. I did not use encryption for the test. You can usually count on encryption to slow you down 20 - 50%.

One note about speeds. I know 802.11b is advertised as 11 Mbps. I have NEVER seen an 802.11b device approach that speed. In fact only rarely have I seen any sustained speed over about 7 Mbps.

BACK NEXT