Test Systems, Software, & Methodology
From my point of view, testing a router’s performance is a pretty straightforward process. I will first test the wired network performance with TPC and UDP packets as well as with fixed and variable packet sizes. This part is easy and it is run with direct connections. Since there is no interference of any kind, the results stay consistent.
The wireless bands will be tested in the same way as the wired connections, but I’ll add another variable to the test. I will adjust the distance between the router and the receiving WiFi connection from short over medium to long distance throughout my apartment. The positions are the same for every piece of network equipment that I’m testing. Where wired networks are easy to control, wireless networks aren’t.
Wireless Environment
While it’s easy to test and give you comparable view on the wired connections, it is a different story for the wireless bands. With wireless networks, we need to keep environmental factors in mind. These can’t be avoided. This office is located in a pretty big apartment complex where many of the residents have multiple WiFi networks. Our ISP boxes have dual-band Wi-Fi and most apartments have an extra router connected. That’s easily 4 and even up 5 and 6 bands per apartment. All those wireless networks create a tough situation, but that’s not necessarily something bad.
To make matters worse, the building is located in the middle of a city that basically is a huge transport hub. All these industrial complexes and shipping companies also interfere with signals in the area. For example, terrestrial digital TV or Radio isn’t possible at all due to interference.
Tough isn’t always bad
The issues mentioned above will naturally have an impact on the performance, but at the same time, it gives us a great view of how well the device can handle itself in a heavy traffic area. In a way, that’s much better than testing it under optimal conditions – after all, who of us has those?
External Storage Testing
Whenever a USB 3.0 or eSATA port with file sharing is present, I’ll also test the possible speed from this. For this, I’ll use an SSD drive in an external docking station and LAN Speed Test.
Network Client system
- Supermicro C7Z97-OCE
- Intel Xeon E3-1230Lv3
- Corsair Vengeance 1866MHz (4x4GB)
- Toshiba OCZ VX500 512GB SSD (512GB)
- Sapphire R7 240 (2GB)
- be quiet! Dark Power Pro 11 (850W)
- Noctua NH-D15S
- Lian Li PC-T60
- Windows 10 Pro
Network Server System
- Supermicro C7Z170-PG
- Intel Core i7-7700K
- Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR4 2400MHz (4x8GB)
- Toshiba OCZ VX500 512GB SSD (512GB)
- be quiet! Dark Power Pro 11 (1200W)
- Noctua NH-D15S
- Windows 10 Pro
Network Structure
- ASUS PCE-AC88 Wireless AC3100 Adapter
- ASUS 10GbE Adapter
- D-Link DXE-820T 10GbE Adapter
External Storage
Wireless Setup
As mentioned above, the wireless setup can be somewhat tricky. For each review, I use WifiInfoView to find an optimal channel. To me, optimal is considered free with the neighbouring channels also being free. It isn’t always possible, but it’s what you should aim for. There are also mobile apps available with the same feature, should you not have a PC with Wi-Fi.
Bought a D-link DIR-882 along with a 3TB Nas drive in an external case to use for network storage on a home network. Would not work and told by D-link that the router will not support drives over 1 TB. Was later told that a 3 TB SHOULD work and that my drive must not be compatible. Nowhere in ANY d-link documentation is the 1 TB limit identified or any mention of compatibility issues. D-link does NOT publish a list of products that have been tested. Had such documentation existed, I would have purchased a different router or drive. There attitude is “too bad”. Will NEVER recommend or purchase D-link products again.