Why is my gigabit network so slow?

Question

I have the new linksys dual band gigabit wireless N router, a gigabit connection on my motherboard the linksys NAS200 network storage and the WD gigabit drive. computer says I am connected at 1.0 GBsec but other than that, my internet is still slow like a standard router and my transfer speeds are just under 3MBsec from my computer to my storage, I know the NAS200 is not gigabit so I am using a cat5e but the rest of the network is linked with cat 6 cables (brand new) so how do I increase the speeds? linksys tech support is hopeless and I paid big buck for the latest and greatest. So if anyone can tell me why it is or what I need to do for speed please help.

Answer 1

Your "Internet bandwidth" does NOT increase just because you upgraded your internal network. In fact, a standard "Fast Ethernet" (10/100) NIC can easily handle the bandwidth offered by a North American residential ISP. Gigabit will offer no advantages there.

Also, if the device your accessing (the NAS) is only equipped with a 10/100 NIC, you wont reap the benefits of your gigabit network. Also, 3 megabytes (MB) transfer is equivalent to 25mbps, a realistic throughput value for fast ethernet networks.

Remember, residential Internet service is well within the capabilities of a 10/100 NIC, and having anything faster has no effect on that connection. Also, if the device such as that NAS isnt gigabit capable, it wont operate at gigabit speeds.

Common sense people.. c'mon ><

Answer 2

May be because of your isp.  If you have comcast or cox (same company) then they make you pay extra to get a "speed boost" which actually spending more for what you should already be getting.

Answer 3

I am not sure on the specifics, but there are limits on TCP/IP transfer speeds.  I have found to max out gigabit LAN's, I have to transfer multiple files at the same time, usually using FTP.

I know this math is wrong but for an example, say the TCP/IP single data stream cap is 50 Mbps, to cap out Gigabit you would need to transfer over 20 files simultaneously to cap it out.

I not sure of the exact numbers but that's the jist of it.  Regardless you should be getting more then 3 MB's a sec.  Try transferring multiple files, see how that goes.