Slow Transfer over wireless network

[4corners]

Hi All, this is my first post so please be gentle!!
I have a wireless network setup in my business, running through a Linksis WAG200G wireless Router. I have a Power Mac setup as the main storage "server" for all work, which is connected to the network through a Wireless Card i installed. I then have 3 Intel G5's linked through the Linsys. The main prblem I am having is very slow transfer speed for files, taking around 60-100 secs to transfer 200mb. I know I probably need to give more info than this t get help but I'm not very "Techy" so if there is any more info needed, let me know. I have tried 3 different routers but all have the same problems. Can anyone help??

 

[spinnerlys]

What kind of wireless network adapters (airport cards) do those Macs have?
You can find out via System Profiler > Network.

Also the Intel Mac Pros have Intel Xeon CPUs and no G5 CPUs as the Power Macs have.

The router of yours (WAG200 G) only supports up to 54Mbit/s as it only can use the 802.11g and 802.11b wireless LAN options.

So the transfer speeds sound about right.

I have wireless N with my router and Macs and I only get about 6-7MB/s.

 

[4corners]

Hi Spinnerlys, G5's have "AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x88)", power mac has a 3rd party card, it's a "Buffalo Wireless- G 125 High Speed" adapter, it's also 802.11g.
So you think this speed is normal for the router type? would the best solution be to upgrade router then? or better still, go for a wired network?

 

[spinnerlys]

Wired is always faster.

The PowerMac (which can either be a G3, G4 or G5) and the G5s (are those PowerMacs or Mac Pros, if they are Mac Pros then they are not G5s, as the G5 CPU was only built into PowerMacs, before the transition to Intel CPUs, which also caused the name change to Mac Pro) may all have Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a Gigabit switch/router will only cost about 40€.
It will give you transfer speeds of around 40MB/s.

If you have a router and wireless adapters/Airport card with 802.11n enabled on them, you will also see a speed gain, but it will be still slow compared to Gigabit ethernet.

To find out what Macs you have, just go to > About This Mac and see for yourself. Also the G5 PowerMacs only had one optical drive door, the Intel Mac Pros have two optical drive doors for an additional optical drive.


PowerMac G 3

PowerMac G4

PowerMac G5

Intel Mac Pro

 

[satcomer]

Plus if you are using Snow leopard on any Mac make sure you download the free application TinkerTool and in the applications do these steps:

1. "Show Invisible Files" and on the network share delete all the .DSStore files on the network shares.

2. Hide invisible files again then then use the application to prevent .DSStore files from network shares.

I say this because it is a developing bug that 10.6.x has that those older .DSStore files slow down SMB sharing.

All the .DSStore files are are Unix style files to show folder organization in folder Finder view. They won't hurt anything and it will be mostly painless.

 

[4corners]

Hi Spinnerlys, sorry for not replying sooner. Forgot to mention at the start, it is 3x G5 Intel iMac's and 1x G5 PowerMac.
I can go for wired but (this may sound pathetic!!) I have the iMacs on glass tabled in the middle of the office and want to cut back on the amount of visible cables, that's why I prefer wireless, however, if you think the speeds i'm getting sound normal, I think i'll have to go for speed rather than looks!!

 

[4corners]

Hi Satcomer, just noticed your post. I am running Snow Leopard on the iMac's only, not the PowerMac, would this cause any issues?? I will install Tinker Toll anyway. Cheers.

 

[Sayer]

Maybe just use a cable from the router to the Power Mac then?

A single, faster/fatter pipe to the server should be better overall than a slower wireless link. Esp. when multiple clients are transferring.

And check that the router is not in mixed b/g mode. WiFi can slow down or even drop to 802.11b speeds transparently if theres interference.

Also I dont know why you'd be using SMB for all Macs; its slower than hell on Macs. Straight AppleShare would prolly be better for an all-Mac setting.

 

[maveric10]

slow internet connection

hi all,this is my first time as an imac user,not sure if im on the right page so apoligies ,set my imac upstairs and wireless router is downstairs,after doing that internet connection seems slow and sluggish,i have upgraded my broadband speed but still no good,any suggestions.:

 

[spinnerlys]

You have to set up router and iMac closer together, as it seems.
The wireless signal can not reach everywhere, especially with many walls and corners.

If that is not the problem, more information is needed.
What Mac, what Mac OS X, what router, what network settings, what band do you use?