Have searched Google, Motorola, and Linksys, but don't find answers for
these 4 questions...
Four questions:
1) Is there a reason for a DOCSIS 1.1 modem to have some dropout and speed
anomalies when connected to Charter?
2) Is a DOCSIS 2.0 modem likely to cure those anomalies? Is DOCSIS the only
relevant spec?
3) Download rate by WiFi in a clear 54MHz G channel with high S/N is only
about half the rate of a wired LAN connection.. why?
How can I detect specific problem(s)?
4) Can I fix my WiFi download rate to be nearly the same as wired LAN rate?
Info:
I have only "Internet Express" basis service from Charter. As of Jan 1 or
so, Charter increased download speeds. They said I needed a modem upgrade
and that Linksys BEFCMU10 V1, 2, & 3 modems are "blacklisted", but would not
identify what spec I did not meet, nor what spec I needed. Just wanted me
to buy from them. I bought my own used. I had some mysteries, so I
"upgraded" from a DOCSIS 1.1 modem to a DOCSIS 2.0 model. Supposedly, both
specs are compatible with Charter, and each spec has a large "headroom" from
its maximum download or upload rate (ie, download is about 1/3 max rate).
Using my old DOCSIS 1.1 modem, I had 12.4 mbps download speed by wired LAN,
but I had very infrequent unexplained interruptions (2-3 weekly) of my VOIP
phone connection that I had not experienced before the Charter speed
increase.
When asked at escalated tech support levels, Charter's USA-based tech
support says "we're not trained to answer specification questions, nor to do
the Cisco supported upgrade of a Linksys v3 modem to DOCSIS 2.0".
Apparently, they are only monkeys trained to make settings on the brands and
models they sell. Tier 1 or non-USA help is not that good.
With a DOCSIS 2.0 modem, download speed by wired LAN is 15.8mbps. Have not
experienced VOIP dropouts, but those are rare and hasn't been a week yet.
Only get approx 1/2 download speed via WiFi as from wired LAN connection per
Charter's speed test at
http://spt01rochmn.roch.mn.charter.com/
most helpful Google link was:
How to Fix your Slow Internet Connection
has test suggestions
http://www.labnol.org/internet/fix-slow-internet-connection/13619/
Test #3. To ensure that none of the viruses or spyware programs are
responsible for your slow Internet, open command prompt and run the
following command:
netstat -b -f 5
( no -f option in any variant of netstat I can locate )
See no excesses with netstat -b What tool might show an activity or
overhead in my WiFi link?
Chuck