ICX7150-C12 & R510 Access Point Wi-Fi speeds with AT&T 1Gb Service

[steved1951]

As an update to my previous post, here is more information.

We purchased a Lennar home in the Folsom Ranch community in Folsom, CA, in July of 2019. The house was outfit by Amazon as a “smart home” that included the Ruckus ICX7150-C12 switch and two R510 Access Points. In addition to this, we contracted with AT&T for 1GB Internet service delivered over fiber to a BGW210-700 Internet router. 

The switch is connected directly to the router over Ethernet, and the switch is connected to the two WAP’s, also via Ethernet. The download speed at the router is 884 Mbps. The download speed at the Ruckus Switch is 831 Mbps.

Since Lennar failed to wire the house with Ethernet, other than the wiring from the Switch to the WAP’s, all other traffic is delivered via the two WAP’s – one on the first floor ceiling and one on the second floor ceiling.

Wireless signals within the house measure as high as 425 Mbps and as low as 250 Mbps, depending on line of site and location from either of the two WAP’s. The office on the first floor which contains the two high-end laptops, which happens to be down the hall and in another room, measures one of the lowest speeds at 261 Mbps.

With the advent of smart-tv’s and streaming devices, download speed in other areas of the house, like the family room, loft, etc., is as important as the office location.

The basic question is: what is the fastest speed that the R510 is capable of, and is there any alternative for reaching places that out of the line of site? Are there alternatives to the R510 that could produce higher WiFi signals throughout the house?

[steved1951]

I have run another series of tests by running Ethernet connections directly to the router, IXC715 Switch and each of the R510 WAP's. I also ran Wi-Fi tests using the 5.0 GHz band and have posted the results below, none of which appears to confirm your results above. I raise the question again, then, is there a better WAP that can deliver higher Wi-Fi speeds and to areas of the house that are not within a line of sight?

Network Speed Tests – 11/29/2024

From Router

From Switch

From Upstairs WAP

From Downstairs WAP

Wi-Fi from Downstairs WAP, in office, using 5.0Ghz network

Wi-Fi from Downstairs WAP, directly underneath, 5.0Ghz network

Wi-Fi from Upstairs WAP, directly underneath, 5.0Ghz network

Ethernet using MoCa adaptor – Ethernet through coax

[pinky_ruckus]

Hello @steved1951 ,

Thank you for the response and for running additional tests. 

Based on your results, it seems that the current setup isn't delivering the desired performance.

Achieving the maximum speed from the Wi-Fi Access Points may not always be possible due to several factors, including:

• Ethernet Cable Quality: The quality of the Ethernet cables used to connect the Access Points to the Switch (e.g., Cat5, Cat5e, or Cat6) can affect performance. Sometimes, defective or substandard Ethernet cables between the ISP Router, RUCKUS Switch, and RUCKUS Access Points may cause speed limitations.
• Interference from Other Devices: Many household electronic devices, such as microwaves, baby monitors, security cameras, garage door openers, and cordless phones, operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency, which can cause interference and reduce Wi-Fi speeds.
• Distance and Placement: The distance between the Access Points and the device accessing the Internet can impact the signal strength and speed. Additionally, the placement of Access Points within the home can also influence performance, with walls and other obstructions potentially reducing signal quality.

Lastly, the primary purpose of implementing Access Points in the home is to extend coverage to areas where the ISP Router's signal may not reach effectively. This ensures a reliable and consistent connection throughout the home.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Regards,

Pinky Rajendran

RUCKUS Lennar Home Community

[steved1951]

• Please allow me to respond to your statements:
• Ethernet Cable Quality: The quality of the Ethernet cables used to connect the Access Points to the Switch (e.g., Cat5, Cat5e, or Cat6) can affect performance. Sometimes, defective or substandard Ethernet cables between the ISP Router, RUCKUS Switch, and RUCKUS Access Points may cause speed limitations.
  • The Switch itself is getting close to the same speed as from the router over an Ethernet connection,
  • The WAP's are clearly seeing a drop in speed as measured from an Ethernet connection, and it is interesting that the upstairs WAP, which is closer to the Switch, is slower than the downstairs WAP.
  • All of the Ethernet cables were installed by either the builder or Amazon, who provided the Switch and the WAP's, so we can "blame" them for Ethernet cable quality.

• Interference from Other Devices: Many household electronic devices, such as microwaves, baby monitors, security cameras, garage door openers, and cordless phones, operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency, which can cause interference and reduce Wi-Fi speeds.
  • The Wi-Fi signals when measured directly beneath the WAP's are about half of direct Ethernet connections and are not subject to virtually any interference from other devices or structures like walls.

• Distance and Placement: The distance between the Access Points and the device accessing the Internet can impact the signal strength and speed. Additionally, the placement of Access Points within the home can also influence performance, with walls and other obstructions potentially reducing signal quality.
  • Clearly distance and proximity to the WAP's are a factor, but as pointed out above, the WAP's are not delivering suitable speeds when distance and proximity are removed from the equation.

Lastly, the primary purpose of implementing Access Points in the home is to extend coverage to areas where the ISP Router's signal may not reach effectively. This ensures a reliable and consistent connection throughout the home.

• Based on the recommendations from a previous technician from AT&T or Amazon (I cannot remember which), it was strongly suggested to use Wi-Fi ONLY from the WAP's as opposed to the router. 

While I am grateful for your ongoing support and suggestions, I feel we are at an impasse as I don't believe you have offered any viable suggestions, like swapping out the WAP's, to improve the Wi-Fi signals. This puts me in a rather untenable position to take my case to some combination of the builder (Lennar) and Amazon, as they were responsible for the equipment, cabling and installation.

[pinky_ruckus]

Hello @steved1951 ,

Thank you for the response.

The builder is responsible for ensuring the quality of the cables and related components, as RUCKUS is not involved in this aspect. We kindly suggest reaching out to a qualified technician or outside help for further assistance.

This forum is on best best-effort support   .

RUCKUS does not have any support team of technicians to support on-site for Lennar Homes.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding. 

Best regards,

Pinky Rajendran

RUCKUS Lennar Home Community.

[steved1951]

Thank you for that feedback and as disappointing as it is to hear, it is understandable.

Can you at least reply to my request of a different model of Ruckus WAP that might provide faster speeds?