TP-LINK TL-WDR4300 Configuration

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thegame2012

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#124532 10-Jul-2013 21:05

Hey guys

We've used a Huawei EchoLife HG520s wireless modem for about 4 years and we recently decided it was time to upgrade. I figured the TL-WDR4300 was a good way to go because I liked the flexibility it provided with dual band. The WDR supports 802.11 a/b/g/n but the HG520s only supports 802.11/b/g... so does that mean the WDR can only go b/g speed?

I ran a few speed tests when I was using the HG520s and they all had an average of 6.5 Mbps download speed, and when I connected the WDR through the HG520s modem I was still getting around 6.5 Mbps... even though the connection speed (from the taskbar) said 300 Mbps.

We've been on an ADSL2+ plan with Telecom for the 4 year duration but I recently considered changing to Ultra VDSL, although that'll require a new VDSL router so that can wait a while. I really hope I'm just being a noob because I had high hopes for the WDR.

Bottomline: How do I get maximum speed with the WDR4300? Do I need to buy a 802.11n Modem?

As you may have guessed, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to wireless networking so any help is greatly appreciated. :)

Cheers
Kieran

bvidulich

58 posts

Master Geek

#853624 10-Jul-2013 22:28

I get about 2 MB/s with my router (same model). That's with the tablets and phones offloaded to another wireless router (so just laptops).

My suspicion is that something close to the aerials of my router is causing interference, but I have little means of proving that (other than moving the router).

So, I would also be interested in finding an answer to this too.

frogamic

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#854377 12-Jul-2013 14:20

The 6.5Mb/s is the internet download speed, while the 300Mb/s is the local network speed. For example you might download a movie at 6.5Mb/s, then copy it between 2 computers on your wifi at 300Mb/s.

Do you have the HG520s plugged into the WDR4300's blue "internet" port? if so the HG's wifi doesn't come into the equation and you could even disable it completely.

If you switch to Telecom's VDSL (something I am about to do myself) you would use their modem and connect it to your WDR's "internet" port and continue using it as the router.

thegame2012

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#854560 12-Jul-2013 19:35

Thanks for the replies.

frogamic: The 6.5Mb/s is the internet download speed, while the 300Mb/s is the local network speed. For example you might download a movie at 6.5Mb/s, then copy it between 2 computers on your wifi at 300Mb/s.

Do you have the HG520s plugged into the WDR4300's blue "internet" port? if so the HG's wifi doesn't come into the equation and you could even disable it completely.

If you switch to Telecom's VDSL (something I am about to do myself) you would use their modem and connect it to your WDR's "internet" port and continue using it as the router.

The 4300 is connected to the HG520s by an ethernet cable, from the blue Internet port into a Lan port on the 520s. The 520s then connects to the wall via the ADSL port.

I currently have the choice between 3 connections:
*HG520s 802.11g
*WDR4300 5GHz
*WDR4300 2.4GHz

So I am using the 4300 2.4 GHz connection. I have tested all 3 connections multiple times, with Wi-fi and Lan, and the average result is around 6.5Mb/s...

Is Telecom restricting my speed to 6.5Mb/s or is it the modem?

Thanks again guys

Kieran

raytaylor

4014 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#854667 12-Jul-2013 22:48

Installing a new router wont improve your line stats by very much unless you have a very long copper loop or your internal wiring is very bad.

Windows can only report the speed of the device its connected to (router and local network at 300mbit). The speed test website will tell you the speed between your computer and the speed test server - which goes through a number of different pipes such as your 300mbit wide pipe betwene your computer and the router, the 6,5mbit pipe over the copper wires back to the telephone exchange, the multigigabit backhaul intercity fibre to your isp office etc.

Here is a diagram that should simplify it

Ray Taylor

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frogamic

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#854672 12-Jul-2013 23:00

With your current setup you can switch to VDSL and simply replace your Huawei modem with the one provided, this will increase your internet speed (a friend of mine gets with Snap VDSL gets 40Mbps), and the WDR will be better than the modem-router provided by telecom. This is what I will be doing, as I just switched to VDSL today, and also have the WDR4300.

thegame2012

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#854704 13-Jul-2013 01:08

Thanks Ray for that In-depth explanation. Our house is quite old and we're hidden away in a Cul-de-sac so it's most likely the internal wiring.

And thanks frogamic for your advice. I was a bit guttered when I found out about the VDSL, considering I just bought a new Router that had everything... except EWAN. But hopefully I'll be able to do what you said and connect the 4300 and the VDSL Modem/Router together.

I'll ring Telecom later today and ask them a few questions. If all goes well I'll probably switch to VDSL, which should result in better speeds! :)

Cheers
Kieran