where did my speed go?

candyman123 · 07-09-2006, 01:19 PM

I've got a linksys wrt54gl...54 mbps with 802.11g

When plugged directly into the router, I get speeds like:

7953 down / 707 up (kbps)

When using wireless with WPA, I get speeds like:

5307 down / 659 up (kbps)

Where is all my speed going? Since I should be at 54 mbps, I don't see why there is a decrease. Can someone with networking knowledge explain this to me?

macemoneta · 07-09-2006, 01:42 PM

When plugged directly into your router, you have no encryption overhead. Also, wireless transmissions are not as reliable as wired, causing retransmissions. Wireless communication ramps down speed as the signal level goes down (distance increases), to reduce the error rate. This can start in as little as a few feet from the access point.