Need help understanding bandwidth and such!
Need help understanding bandwidth and such!
Hi! I'm familiar with the computer side of things, but the connection between the LAN port or Wi-Fi and the router still feels unclear to me. Your ISP offers 120 Mbps, and you're using a typical AC1200 dual-band router (usually advertised as 300+867 Mbps). Based on that, I assume "okay" speeds are around 300 Mbps for 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps for 5 GHz.
Here are my questions:
1. If two devices are connected to the 300 Mbps 2.4 band, will they each receive 150 Mbps simultaneously or will they share it in some way? And with the 867 Mbps band, how do multiple devices split that bandwidth?
2. If a device can send data to the router at 300 Mbps on the 2.4 band, can it only transmit through your home network at 120 Mbps due to your ISP?
3. I saw mixed information—does a wired connection influence the wireless network? If so, how? Does it affect bandwidth or share part of the ISP speed (for example, 50 Mbps for LAN and 70 Mbps for Wi-Fi)?
Thanks a lot!
The issue centers on a few key points. Distance from your router, interference from nearby 2.4 GHz devices, and the number of connected devices. Theoretical speeds like 300 Mbps are rarely achievable in practice. Bandwidth isn't evenly distributed because certain data uses consume more processing power, reducing availability for others. The outcome really hinges on those three factors.
Outbound and inbound traffic are constrained by your ISP's speed limits. Your router processes packets sequentially, so its capabilities have a bigger impact than the ISP's connection.
Wireless networks use specific time slots for communication. When no one else is using the channel, you get unrestricted access. If two devices connect and one has no traffic, the other can utilize the full capacity. However, if other devices start transmitting, bandwidth is reduced. This explains why routers may repeatedly request access when a single device has poor signal and packets fail—essentially reclaiming slots. This is why some users see claims of 1000GBps on their Ethernet ports, but in reality they only reach about 60MBps. This situation is beneficial because it allows more devices to retransmit before noticeable issues arise. In short, wireless acts like another wireless LAN port, pooling resources fairly. Your devices can share up to 120MBps for LAN and wireless, but once one nears that limit, others share the remainder. Remember, these numbers are theoretical and account for natural overhead. Real-world speeds often fall within 10-15% of the claimed rates. Higher frequencies like 5GHz can push speeds closer to 500MBps, while 6000Mbps figures usually involve advanced technology like multiple antennas. Interference, distance, and rogue devices also play a role. Wireless is complex, but it’s designed to handle many connections simultaneously.