Optimizing Routers + Background Services?

DY357LXDY357LX Playing since day 1. Still can't Comm.England Join Date: 2002-10-27 Member: 1651Members, Constellation
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<div class="IPBDescription">PS3 Works Online If Pc Is Switched Off. Seems Odd.</div>So I've been attempting to get my PS3 online via a wireless router, I've been through 2 routers and can't figure out why things are so sporadic and unpredictable.

The PS3 will go online + download (from the PSN Store) fine if the PC is switched off, which leads me to believe maybe there's something I've overlooked in the (Windows 7) background services.

I've been using speedtest.net (app download on phone + ipad, visiting the site through the built-in PS3 browser) and the results are quite varied:
PC - Latency : 15ms. Download : 9.5Mb/s. Upload : 450kb/s (this is the normal/standard speeds that I'm used to and what I'm paying for.)
iPad - Latency : 223ms. Download : 4.2Mbs. Upload : 400kb/s.
Phone - Latency : 50ms. Download : 2.7Mb/s. Upload : 505kb/s.
PS3 - Latency : 400ms. Download 4.0Mb/s. Upload 200kb/s.

If I switch my PC off the PS3 download speed doubles. If I alter the speedtest.net location to Brussels I get a (supposed) download speed of 13Mb/s. Odd!

I've tried both a <a href="http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=459640" target="_blank">Belkin N+</a> and a <a href="http://homesupport.cisco.com/en-us/wireless/lbc/WRT54G2" target="_blank">Linksys WRT54G2</a>. (Side note, the router is literally 3 yards from the console. Signal strength is 100%. There are no firmware updates for either model of router. I tried the factory standard as well as the latest release.)

ISP is VirginMedia UK.

I read up on both routers before purchasing them and both seemed capable of console gaming and got good reviews. So for both to be performing so damn crap leads me to believe it's something I've done wrong with my PC's config (or there's something in the routers config.)
I've done the usual such as been through PortForward.com and setup a DMZ and allocated an IP specifically for the PS3.

So if anyone has any idea regarding (hidden?) router settings and Windows 7 background services that should(n't) be running (IPv6 etc?) I'd very much like to hear from you.
In the meantime I'll be switching out the RJ45 cable cable everytime I want to play Castle Crashers or Assassins Creed : Brotherhood, Killzone 2, Uncharted 2, etc (and soon Demon Souls) online.
(If anyone wishes to join me, add "tylrdiablos" on the PSN.)

Thanks.
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Comments

  • That_Annoying_KidThat_Annoying_Kid Sire of Titles Join Date: 2003-03-01 Member: 14175Members, Constellation
    Stick with the cat6 wireless sucks 802.11 G still slowwwwwww


    mmmm full duplex gigabit ethernet


    Does your PS3 get addresses from the router or is it all DHCP'd out?
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  • puzlpuzl The Old Firm Join Date: 2003-02-26 Member: 14029Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
    Is your PC connected over 802.11G also?

    G is slow compared to gig ethernet, as TAK says, but honestly, it shouldn't really be a major problem on a 10Mbps service.

    Also, really, stop using speedtest.net to compare devices, especially portable devices (phone, ipad ) that sacrifice data throughput for energy efficiency. So apart from speedtest.net, what other issues are you noticing?


    If you can exchange your router, then I would recommend looking at one of the newer linksys models that do dual-band. You can run an SSID on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz interfaces and partition your devices by which SSID they join. My personal configuration is to run 5GHz as N-only with my laptop and server on that, and then have my PS3, phone, etc. join the 2.4GHz G-only network. I'm not suggesting this as a solution to your problem, but if it's an option for you then I think you should consider it.
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  • DY357LXDY357LX Playing since day 1. Still can&#39;t Comm. England Join Date: 2002-10-27 Member: 1651Members, Constellation
    My PC is connected via a wired connection to a set-top box provided by my ISP.

    The Belkin N+ is (apparently) capable of both N and G. The router page allows for N Only, G Only or both.
    I think the Linksys can do the same but I haven't delved into it properly yet.

    Stop using Speedtest... ok, I understand this. It was just convenient at the time. To be fair, the speeds reported by speedtest were damn near what was being reported by the PlayStation3's Connection Test page.

    My PS3 does get an address from the router. (I may experiment with DCHP stuff later tonight.)


    But yeah, I greatly prefer the wired connection at the moment. It's a bit of hassle swapping out the cable but it's worth it.


    If anyone in the UK wants the Belkin N+ for cheap (i.e gift me a Monday Night Combat or SplinterCell: Conviction on Steam :P) let me know.
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  • DrfuzzyDrfuzzy FEW... MORE.... INCHES... Join Date: 2003-09-21 Member: 21094Members
    Connect both to the router and go into the router settings, go to your DCHP table and find out if it is showing mac addresses and IP's for each device or if they even show up at all. Also try running the router on a different frequency channel, one of your neighbors might be using the same channel and you will get strange problems like that.
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  • MonkfishMonkfish Sonic-boom-inducing buttcheeks of terrifying speed&#33; Join Date: 2003-06-03 Member: 16972Members
    Did you try turning UPnP off in the router :I
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  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    edited February 2011
    Try running DDWRT instead of the crappy factory firmware to see if that fixes your troubles...

    <a href="http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices#Belkin" target="_blank">http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Suppo..._Devices#Belkin</a> (CTRL+F for F5D8235-4, your model)

    <a href="http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT54G2" target="_blank">http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT54G2</a>


    <b>Make sure you look on the back to see if you have the correct version (hardware model)


    I for one owned a V2 of my router and traded it in for a V3, because that one had the possibility to run DDWRT and also has twice the ram. But custom firmware is mostly dependent on hardware revision of the router</b>
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  • A_Boojum_SnarkA_Boojum_Snark Join Date: 2003-09-07 Member: 20628Members
    I may be missing something... but why the cable swapping? Can't both of them be wired? That's sorta the purpose of a router.
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  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    <!--quoteo(post=1834341:date=Feb 22 2011, 07:46 PM:name=A_Boojum_Snark)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (A_Boojum_Snark @ Feb 22 2011, 07:46 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1834341"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I may be missing something... but why the cable swapping? Can't both of them be wired? That's sorta the purpose of a router.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Indeed (missed that part :D). So perhaps get an extra cable alongside custom firmware...
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  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    gonna try to piggyback off of this topic, because I too am having some router issues. I just moved to a new apartment complex. my internet works fine wired, but my wife periodically loses her wireless connection, even when she's like 2 feet from the router. This never used to happen. My hypothesis is that it's because of too much wifi traffic. I can see at least 15 wireless routers broadcasting their SSID. I have my router on Auto channel select, but I have no clue whether it's any good at picking a good channel. I scanned the neighborhood with inSSIDer, and it looks like the networks are pretty evenly spread over all the available channels.

    Think my hypothesis is correct about too much air traffic? Anything I can do about it?
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  • DY357LXDY357LX Playing since day 1. Still can&#39;t Comm. England Join Date: 2002-10-27 Member: 1651Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1834343:date=Feb 22 2011, 07:50 PM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Feb 22 2011, 07:50 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1834343"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Indeed (missed that part :D). So perhaps get an extra cable alongside custom firmware...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Will try the firmware tonight, extra cable I have simply not got around to buying yet.
    (Thanks.)
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  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    <!--quoteo(post=1834429:date=Feb 22 2011, 11:49 PM:name=DiscoZombie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DiscoZombie @ Feb 22 2011, 11:49 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1834429"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Think my hypothesis is correct about too much air traffic? Anything I can do about it?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Too much "air traffic" can cause traffic jams indeed, try going with the channel least used. Trouble is, most people in your neighborhood are probably doing the same thing :/


    There's nothing that beats the good old cables, but yeah I've seen many a laptop do a dive of the table due to said cable snagging on fast moving kids/pets :P
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  • douchebagatrondouchebagatron Custom member title Join Date: 2003-12-20 Member: 24581Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    I've never messed with 802.11N but is it possible that the router is only capable of handling one signal type at a time? hence if you're doing G on the ps3 and N on the desktop, the router asplodes?


    Also, if the console is right next to the router, use a cable. one of the shortcomings of 802.11 is that it shares wireless bands with some appliances (I believe microwaves or something of that nature) so even if your wireless is super fast, it's still going to have interference sometimes.
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  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    ALWAYS use a cable whenever possible. The only advantage of wireless is portability, and that's hardly a concern with consoles.
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  • KuriinKuriin Join Date: 2011-01-08 Member: 76761Members
    edited February 2011
    <a href="http://www.speedtest.net" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.speedtest.net/result/1172300868.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>


    Bow chika bow wow.


    edit: I'm on wireless. 8-)
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  • KuriinKuriin Join Date: 2011-01-08 Member: 76761Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1834471:date=Feb 22 2011, 07:08 PM:name=6john)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (6john @ Feb 22 2011, 07:08 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1834471"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I've never messed with 802.11N but is it possible that the router is only capable of handling one signal type at a time? hence if you're doing G on the ps3 and N on the desktop, the router asplodes?


    Also, if the console is right next to the router, use a cable. one of the shortcomings of 802.11 is that it shares wireless bands with some appliances (I believe microwaves or something of that nature) so even if your wireless is super fast, it's still going to have interference sometimes.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    Nah. Just get a dualband router unless you want to go with two routers. One for G and one for N. The great thing about dualband routers is that they run both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequencies simultaneously. That way you can have your legacy products on the G and the newer ones on the N.
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  • DY357LXDY357LX Playing since day 1. Still can&#39;t Comm. England Join Date: 2002-10-27 Member: 1651Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1834797:date=Feb 24 2011, 08:06 PM:name=Kuriin)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kuriin @ Feb 24 2011, 08:06 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1834797"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><a href="http://www.speedtest.net" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.speedtest.net/result/1172300868.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>


    Bow chika bow wow.


    edit: I'm on wireless. 8-)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    How much does that cost you a month?
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  • KuriinKuriin Join Date: 2011-01-08 Member: 76761Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1834857:date=Feb 24 2011, 03:55 PM:name=DY357LX)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DY357LX @ Feb 24 2011, 03:55 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1834857"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->How much does that cost you a month?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    I'm on the triple play package. $170/month. Internet, Phone, TV (2 or 3 DVRs).
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  • monopolowamonopolowa Join Date: 2004-05-23 Member: 28839Members
    but what's the point if they throttle bittorrent traffic? (or does Comcast still do that?)
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  • KuriinKuriin Join Date: 2011-01-08 Member: 76761Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1834959:date=Feb 25 2011, 09:22 AM:name=monopolowa)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (monopolowa @ Feb 25 2011, 09:22 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1834959"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->but what's the point if they throttle bittorrent traffic? (or does Comcast still do that?)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    They really don't. All you get is a certain bandwidth/month. If you go over that, you pay. I've gotten well over 2MBps on BTs. Just find some good ones with lots of seeders and plenty of leechers.
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  • AldarisAldaris Join Date: 2002-03-25 Member: 351Members, Constellation
    <a href="http://www.cable.co.uk/news/virgin-media-super-hub-suffering-speed-issues-800419771/" target="_blank">http://www.cable.co.uk/news/virgin-media-s...sues-800419771/</a> relevant to you?
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