Discussing Ethernet setup and data transfer performance between machines
Discussing Ethernet setup and data transfer performance between machines
Hello! I'm just starting out with networking and wanted some guidance on connecting my computers. I'm planning to use my old PC as a home server for backing up files, launching a Plex media server, and possibly hosting a game server. I'm still learning how to make devices communicate over the network. My personal computer is on the second floor, linked to the router via Wi-Fi. The older PC sits next to the router and is connected through an Ethernet cable. Both machines typically download around 90 Mbps, which is good for what we pay for. I've created a shared folder on the old PC so files can move between devices, but transfers are slow—usually 15 to 35 MB/s, max about 40 MB/s. I tried connecting them via Powerline Ethernet, which showed up on both machines, but file transfers still lagged and used most of the connection bandwidth. I've read about adjusting group policies or similar settings online, but those articles were confusing. Both systems run Windows 10 Home. I'm not sure if editing group policies is possible on the home version, so I'm reaching out for advice from more experienced users. I'm unsure what's slowing things down or what typical speeds should be. Here are some part numbers for reference: Personal PC – https://pcpartpicker.com/user/dylanjp/saved/GqbZcf Old PC – https://pcpartpicker.com/list/BRg9bK Additional notes: I use TeamViewer to run the older PC remotely, and I attempted a private network link between the devices but found it tricky. Let me know if you can help clarify these points!
I'll note your transfer test is slower because it's using the wireless network, so they're sharing bandwidth. That's why you're seeing 15-35Mb. The best fix would be to connect the power adapter and the old PC directly to the router on the first floor. This avoids the issues of two separate networks. If your router only has one port or you need to completely separate the Wi-Fi from the power line adapters, assigning static IPs to the Ethernet ports is necessary. I recommend using 192.168.150.2 for the old PC and 192.168.150.3 for your personal PC. Set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and disable any gateway or DNS settings. When you need to move data between the computers, use these IP addresses instead of Wi-Fi names, which will give you the speeds supported by the power line adapters.
Consider simpler options first or explore more advanced methods. Connect powerlines to the router and personal PC using Ethernet cables. Route Ethernet from the router to nearby or distant Wi-Fi access points. Use the same circuit for both devices, ensuring proper breakers are in place. Invest in quicker powerline adapters and rely on optimal performance. Check MoCA adapters and utilize existing coaxial connections between rooms. Support versions 2.0-2.1 offer speeds up to 500Mbps, while 2.0 and 2.1 support up to 1Gbps and higher. Run Ethernet to both Wi-Fi access points and all connected devices.
Thanks for your message. It seems you're wondering why your router claims higher speeds than what you actually experience. This could be due to various factors like network congestion, device limitations, or hardware constraints. Checking other devices on the same network might help identify if the issue is widespread. Your router's specifications should give a general idea, but real-world performance can vary.
Your router can achieve higher speeds, but real-world performance depends mainly on your wireless environment. A theoretical 1+ gbps is only possible in perfect conditions and doesn’t factor in typical wired connections (usually around 1 gbps). Your current setup means data travels through the air three times between two Wi-Fi access points, which can reduce speeds significantly. Expected speeds drop roughly in half each time a Wi-Fi AP isn’t directly connected due to backhaul limitations, except for the physical distance between devices that further slows things down. A maximum of 280mbps (35MBps) is reasonable under these conditions, whether using powerline or Wi-Fi. For improved results, the earlier recommendations remain valid.
I experience around 800mbps during file transfers using gigabit NICs on both PC and NAS.