Slingshot Gigantic - do I need a new router?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Slingshot Gigantic - do I need a new router?

Yorkshirekid

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#251001 4-Jun-2019 15:22

I'm already with SS on a 100/20 fibre plan. Works well.

I was offered a new Gigantic plan and so I took it.

I currently have wireless on the router turned off as I have a small Ruckus AP to take on that role and it does a much better job.

I am wondering if any SS members know if the new router I am being sent this week [Netcomm NF18] is any good or not?

Or, should I be looking for a better router to maximise the new connection capability?.

Plus (and I should have researched this before, I know) will the Ruckus setup work with the new router (ie. turn off the Netcomm wireless and use that of the Ruckus)?

Actually, I realise I should have asked some of this after I've used the new router, but I'm just being cautious at this stage, i guess.

Thank you.

Mistenfuru

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#2251280 4-Jun-2019 15:23

The NF18 seems to handle hardwired Gigabit speeds very well. It's Wi-Fi is where it's lacking (although they've just released a firmware update I have yet to try which is meant to address some of its failings)

And yes, there shouldn't be a reason the Ruckus wouldn't work

Handsomedan

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#2251308 4-Jun-2019 15:47

I'll have to have a look at the firmware update as my wireless at home is ordinary at best...wired is excellent, mind you.

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Yorkshirekid

193 posts

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#2254165 8-Jun-2019 09:38

I've now got the new router and a gigantic plan. Switched off wireless and am using my Ruckus AP which is fantastic.

However, speed tests give me 171/179 down/up - which is well off what they advertise and not what I bought into.

Is this normal for SS gigantic ppl?

sbiddle

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#2254168 8-Jun-2019 09:46

Yorkshirekid:

I've now got the new router and a gigantic plan. Switched off wireless and am using my Ruckus AP which is fantastic.

However, speed tests give me 171/179 down/up - which is well off what they advertise and not what I bought into.

Is this normal for SS gigantic ppl?

For wireless yes it's entirely possible - what is your channel width? How many chains is your AP? And more importantly how many chains are the device you're testing from?

If you only have a 2x2 AP and 2x2 client for example on a stock standard 40MHz channel that's going to be a perfectly normal result and as fast as you will get.

Yorkshirekid

193 posts

Master Geek

#2254181 8-Jun-2019 10:05

No - that's not a wireless test. FING tells me that is down 178 / up 60.

The Linetest I posted was via ethernet. SO I was expecting 950 / 500 as advertised.

I have a Zoneflex R310 - My wirelss down is faster than the ethernet down. That's not right is it?

sbiddle

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#2254197 8-Jun-2019 10:27

Who operates linetest and where is it testing to?

Have you used the speedtest.net app (and it's important it's the Windows app not browser as this is unreliable over 100Mbps) and tested to a speedtest server on net on the Vocus network?

noroad

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#2254210 8-Jun-2019 10:42

Yorkshirekid:

I've now got the new router and a gigantic plan. Switched off wireless and am using my Ruckus AP which is fantastic.

However, speed tests give me 171/179 down/up - which is well off what they advertise and not what I bought into.

Is this normal for SS gigantic ppl?

Its most likely the machine you are using to test with can not handle faster.

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Yorkshirekid

193 posts

Master Geek

#2254226 8-Jun-2019 11:22

If you buy a pair of jeans you don’t expect just one leg. So, I called SS and they told me the router had not yet been configured. This, despite the (obviously generic) emails from SS that said all was done and good to go. The HelpDesk said they (SS), still had the old router config at their end. Struth!

So, after resetting my router things improved. However, SS clearly advertise on their website that download will be >700 Mbps. Here is where things get strange. I told HelpDesk that I now had two different (improved) speed results:

These were done within a minute of each other.

Then HelpDesk asked me to use SS own speed test. Here is that result:

Who am I supposed to trust?

sbibble - I think Linetest is a Vocus thing? I think orcon and SS use it. Yes, the darker screenshot are from speedtest.net. I don't know what you mean here: (and it's important it's the Windows app not browser as this is unreliable over 100Mbps) and remember, I am NOT testing wirelss. I run a Ruckus R310 and have the router wireless turned off. So I don't know how to test cabled speed outside of a browser.

noroad - Its most likely the machine you are using to test with can not handle faster. I believe my PC and network can handle the faster speeds, yes.

So, any further advise would be great. Can I configure the router in some way? Can I buy another router that will do a better job (it would be great to have one with no wireless as I can use my AP).

Another qu. Is it FAIR that SS advertise something they cannot guarantee? If not, then this is just false advertising and I feel the Consumer dept should be approached, perhaps.

sbiddle

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#2254228 8-Jun-2019 11:28

So things are now working perfectly. Good to see it sorted so quickly.

For why speeds vary so differently between tests there are a few hundred different threads discussing that on here, and in particularly why you can't trust speedtest.net in a web browser.

Yorkshirekid

193 posts

Master Geek

#2254233 8-Jun-2019 11:55

sbibble - I'm guessing you said 'perfectly' based on the SS speed test post? I don't know how all this works, but I think SS test speed inside their own network somehow. That's not real world and that's why I said [Is it FAIR that SS advertise something they cannot guarantee? If not, then this is just false advertising and I feel the Consumer dept should be approached, perhaps.]

I did some reading, just now, about test variations within a browser; thank you, I see what you mean.

Yup, things do vary alright, just look at this last Okla test.

michaelmurfy

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#2254251 8-Jun-2019 12:24

As I've said many times here don't trust Speedtest's results. Their testing is flawed at best and is not at all accurate.

Your connection is working fine.

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Jase2985

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#2254254 8-Jun-2019 12:47

"So, I called SS and they told me the router had not yet been configured. This, despite the (obviously generic) emails from SS that said all was done and good to go. The HelpDesk said they (SS), still had the old router config at their end. Struth!"

they may have had a new firmware version for the router since it was manufactured, they are not going to take them all out of the box and update them are they. thats why you should update them asap when you get them.

your conenction is fine now, stop worrying about it and enjoy it.