178mb wired connection, 25mb wireless, both from the same macbook pro next to the time capsule. do i need to change a setting?
Sorry, new to this. Just installed a new time capsule.
178mb wired connection, 25mb wireless, both from the same macbook pro next to the time capsule. do i need to change a setting?
How old is the MBP and running what OS?
Did you upgrade install the OS.. or even the last couple of OS?
Certainly a clean install can sometimes give you better results.. especially on an older model MBP.
Have you run the wireless diagnostics on the MBP?
The utility that goes along with the diagnostic is much the more useful tool.
Use Wireless Diagnostics to help you resolve Wi-Fi issues on your Mac - Apple Support
There is one thing you do need to understand.. the Apple system is designed to join the Mac to the best signal never the fastest speed wireless.
Open the wireless icon using option click to find exactly the link speed and what wireless band you are on, and the MCS index which is very important number.
This has less info than the diagnostics but is easier and faster to use. It will look different depending on your OS version.
Here is my current one.. (on Mountain Lion)
Key bits here include the channel.. 149 which is stated as 5ghz.. I have the system setup with a different name on 5ghz so I can force the connection to this faster band.
It tells me RSSI which is showing a signal level. The Transmit rate (link speed), which is full speed for my older Mac, 450Mbps.
And MCS index of 23 which tells me
http://www.wirelessedge.com.au/understanding-modulation-and-coding-scheme-mcs-in dex-values/
Grab those numbers and post the details and we can then suggest what to do next.
Thanks, Here it is, i will also run the diag tool
MBP11,5
System Version: OS X 10.11.2 (15C50), el capitan
Software Versions:
CoreWLAN: 11.0 (1101.20)
CoreWLANKit: 11.0 (1101.20)
Menu Extra: 11.0 (1110.33)
System Information: 11.0 (1100.1)
IO80211 Family: 11.1 (1110.26)
Diagnostics: 5.1 (510.88)
AirPort Utility: 6.3.6 (636.5)
Interfaces:
en0:
Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x152)
Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (7.21.94.136.1a1)
MAC Address: ac:bc:32:9f:b1:f3
Locale: FCC
Country Code: US
Supported PHY Modes: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Supported Channels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165
Wake On Wireless: Supported
AirDrop: Supported
Status: Connected
Current Network Information:
Dunewood:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: 64:a5:c3:6c:29:9e
Channel: 6 (2.4 GHZ, 20mhz)
Country Code: US
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -19 dBm / -96 dBm
Transmit Rate: 217
MCS Index: 23
Other Local Wi-Fi Networks:
ATT5A3a9t7:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: 84:61:a0:c9:57:a0
Channel: 11
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA/WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -70 dBm / 0 dBm
Adams:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: d0:03:4b:d6:75:54
Channel: 6
Country Code: US
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -58 dBm / -96 dBm
Adams-5G:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: d0:03:4b:d6:75:55
Channel: 132
Country Code: US
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -75 dBm / 0 dBm
Dunewood:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: 64:a5:c3:6c:29:9f
Channel: 132
Country Code: US
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -24 dBm / 0 dBm
HP-Print-61-Officejet Pro 8630:
PHY Mode: 802.11g
BSSID: 94:57:a5:97:f0:61
Channel: 6
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: None
Signal / Noise: -38 dBm / -96 dBm
MotoVAP_M91336SA0W0W:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: 58:56:e8:4a:ac:8b
Channel: 52,+1
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -75 dBm / 0 dBm
Sakeynet:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: a4:2b:b0:fa:32:8d
Channel: 149
Country Code: US
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA/WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -90 dBm / 0 dBm
gbuth21:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: 00:25:bc:87:f6:1f
Channel: 6
Country Code: US
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA/WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -66 dBm / 0 dBm
grahn Guest Network:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: 66:9f:29:6c:c3:a0
Channel: 132
Country Code: US
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -24 dBm / 0 dBm
grahn Guest Network:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: 66:9e:29:6c:c3:a0
Channel: 6
Country Code: US
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -14 dBm / -96 dBm
xfinitywifi:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: 22:86:8c:9c:07:fa
Channel: 36
Country Code: US
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: None
Signal / Noise: -36 dBm / 0 dBm
xfinitywifi:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: 22:86:8c:9c:07:f4
Channel: 6
Country Code: US
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: None
Signal / Noise: -32 dBm / -96 dBm
I have a relatively new MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)
I believe this is ac compatible. why wouldn't it connect this way?
It will connect to the best signal. That happens to be your
TC with wireless named Dunewood.
See the 2.4ghz signal is -19db and the 5ghz signal is -24db.. so 2.4ghz is better.. and the Mac will ALWAYS join the best signal. That is what Apple programmed it to do .. so it is doing exactly as it should.
To get better speed you must change the name of the 5ghz so you can force the computer to join.. ie you add the brains.. Mac is not able to figure it out..
Please also note.. you have too much wireless around you.
You have Xfinity modem wireless router with no security. Please turn off your wireless in the modem or add security immediately.. otherwise you are going to be slow because you are providing free internet to the neighbours.
Dunewood:
It will The
It is important.
So if I understand correctly, devices (macs, iphones, ipads, appletv) choose the stronger signal, not necessarily the least "crowded" option between 2.4 and 5.
Given the number of 2.4 networks near my house, most of the channels are crowded. So I will check the box to create a differently named 5ghz network. Then I will direct devices to that network, especially when near to the TC.
Do you think I should specify channels for the 2.4ghz and/or 5ghz channels? If I should, I guess I choose 1,6 or 11 for 2.4ghz. What would you suggest for 5ghz? Which frequency and channel does ac use?
The Xfinity modem network is controlled by Comcast and they intentionally leave it open to try and create a neighborhood hotspot, that's my understanding
thanks for all of your help
The Xfinity modem network is controlled by Comcast and they intentionally leave it open to try and create a neighborhood hotspot, that's my understanding
Yuk.. double and even triple yuk.
I suppose that gives you the right to also use your neighbours for free internet when you are travelling but it is a system that makes great sense to the ISP.. costs them not a thing.. but is just fraught with danger to users.
Do you think I should specify channels for the 2.4ghz and/or 5ghz channels? If I should, I guess I choose 1,6 or 11 for 2.4ghz. What would you suggest for 5ghz? Which frequency and channel does ac use?
It is generally fine to set channels to auto.. unless you start having issues.. although personally I tend to fix everything I possibly can.. I figure if i control it then it is my fault if something goes wrong.
Since channels are so clogged it almost makes no difference because all the routers in your area are playing musical chairs.. some do a channel swap hourly.. some like the Apple I think only check channels at switch on.. so what channel you select was right at that point in time.. but one hour later could be completely wrong.. that being the case it is often better to just set it and only worry if something goes crazy.
My advice.. Auto..
Or use channel 8 or 9 for 2.4ghz and use 149 for 5ghz.. however I recommend you trial channel 36.. or 40.. a low channel has very different transmit characteristics.. the range of 5ghz is so poor that it usually won't matter if others are using it in the next house..
yes, I agree with you on the comcast thing. they are probably slowing my wifi by clogging up the space. Maybe I should wrap their supplied router in a couple layers of foil
Pete,
If you read the specs of the TC you will see that channels 100+ have greater power output in the EU it is 1W output instead of 200mW five times stronger this might help in your crowded wifi situation
Ted
Slow Wi-fi on New Time capsule.
