For our throughput tests, we performed several file transfers with our 100Mbps Ethernet network to see what the maximum performance would be on the wireless cards. We performed the test on an AMD 850 system running Win2K SP2. For comparison we include data from a test run using a
D-Link DFE-530TX Ethernet adaptor. On the other end, the FTP server was running RedHat Linux 7.0 with another D-Link DFE-530TX card.
Raw transfers through FTP always gives us the best indication of throughput quality, and our measures showed us that the cards were fluctuating between 5 and 5.5Mbps when transferring large files. Based on the chart, you can observe that the PCI and PCMCIA NetBlaster II cards performed nearly identically. You can also see that a regular 100Mbps network card is NOT 9 times faster then the 11Mbps wireless card. In effect, the wireless NetBlaster cards are transferring files at a rate about 3.6 times slower then a 100Mbps Ethernet card.
We also tested ping times on a loaded and unloaded network, and found that the wireless cards gave ping times equivalent to a regular network (hovering under 10ms).
Using the NetBlaster signal quality utility, the NetBlaster throughput monitor, and a third party network traffic monitor, we monitored signal strength while testing the throughput, and found that the throughput didnt fluctuate significantly while the signal strength remained above 60%. This was interesting because we were worried that the signal strength was directly proportional to network speed instead, we found that as long as your connection quality was within the 60-80% range, you would achieve the maximum throughput allowed by the cards. And with our systems set up 50 feet apart, we were easily getting signal quality 70% and above.
Wireless In the Real World
What all our real world performance means is that any medium sized office can be easily set up with a wireless network with the expectation of being able to take advantage of the full throughput capabilities of such a network. Depending on various conditions, including electromagnetic interference and the frequency of obstructions (walls/dividers/computers/copiers/people), a 2000 square foot office could be networked using a single hub and a suite of wireless cards.
While you may not need to network an entire office using wireless adaptors, I imagine that the majority of users could make extremely good use of wireless laptops that can roam between home and office effortlessly and without the limitations of a wired network connection. You could lounge in your easy chair at home while writing email, finish reading the news upstairs in your bed, and then drop by the office in the morning to complete a proposal in the board room. The possibilities are limitless. And with a real world throughput of 5.5Mbps, you can still transfer files at a speed no less then 5 or 6 times slower then a conventional 100Mbps network.
At 5.5Mbps, you can also be assured that you will not notice any difference in accessing the net from a wired Ethernet connection or from a wireless card.
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