Rysz

Level 6 (19,855 points)

iTunes

Q: Download speed one third upload speed?

Paying for 100 Mbps Up and Down. Upload speed is close to that, but download speed is less than 30% of that. Getting same results regardless if I'm connected via Wi-Fi (AirPort Extreme ac tower), or Mac mini (Late 2012) is connected directly via Ethernet cable. Same results on Mac, iPhone and iPad, too.

Here's the kicker. When a friend connected his mid-priced Dell PC via Ethernet, he got 95 Mbps both Up and Down. Same connection, same cable.

Is there something about Apple hardware, or Apple default network settings, that would explain this? Anything that can be done?

Mac mini (Late 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), 16 GB

Posted on Aug 23, 2016 2:48 PM

I have this question too

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Level 9 (53,908 points)

Wireless

A:

The third image that you provided from the Speed Test app (looks like the app is provided by BigWhitePlanet) shows a significantly high ping value of 147 ms even with your Mac mini connected by Ethernet. Good would be under 100 ms; fair between 101 & 200, and poor, 200+. Whereas, your Ookla web app show an excellent ping value. For Ookla latency (aka ping deviations) is measured multiple times and the lowest time is reported in the app. I don't know how BigWhitePlanet's app makes these same measurements.

If anything the methods used by the Speed Test vs. the Ookla's web-based app could certainly contribute to the discrepancy in the two ping values ... and also shows how these results cannot always be trusted as a true indicator of the data throughput speeds that your Mac mini is actually getting.

You can get a more accurate measure and a potential means to determine where in the data's path the issue may be by using an app, like PingPlotter. You can use it for free for a limited time, and if you like it, purchase it.

As an example, I ran the Ookla test from my Mac mini (Ethernet connected to the router) to a Ookla-provided server. I was getting ping values of 35 ms. Not really an issue, but I still wanted to know (between the mini and the Ookla test server) where there were any bottlenecks. Below is an image of the PingPlotter test results.

First thing to notice, is the results show an average Round Trip Time (RTT) (aka, latency) of 13.5 ms, less than half of the Ookla results. I think it's due to the Ookla app's dependency on Adobe Flash.

More importantly, notice that RTT averages were pretty consistent on all seven router hops between the two devices. What I would look for is any that had high RTT average values. This would indicate the bottlenecks. The first hop is my local network router. It definitely is not an issue in this case.

Just wanted to arm you with information. Hopefully, I'm not overdoing it.

Posted on Aug 26, 2016 3:30 PM

Q: Download speed one third upload speed?

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by Tesserax,Helpful

Tesserax Aug 23, 2016 5:38 PM in response to Rysz
Level 9 (53,908 points)

Wireless

Aug 23, 2016 5:38 PM in response to Rysz

Perplexing indeed! Not sure, at this point, why the PC is the only device not affected.

I suggest that we start with your local network performance, and then, move to the WAN-LAN interface with your AirPort base station.

I use WiFiPerf from the App Store. There are versions for both OS X and iOS. It's a bit pricey, but there should be alternatives based on iPerf. It works on a client/server relationship and does a great job of measuring data throughput rates on wireless networks.

As an alternative, I would also suggest TamoSoft Throughput Test. It will test both wireless and wired connections. It's free, but they don't have an iOS version, so you will need another Mac or PC for it to work properly.

Regardless of what you use, you will want to run the client on your Mac mini, and the server on another supported device. Then create baseline measurements of your current network. For example, if your mini is connected to the base station by Ethernet and another Mac, also connected by Ethernet, you should see reading close to 1 Gbps for TCP with little or no errors. Similarly you should take the measurements for Wi-Fi. You shouldn't get anything near that.

If both measurements come close to what you expect with your network, then we know its not your local network that is the issue and we would move on to the router-modem interface.
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by LaPastenague,Helpful

LaPastenague Aug 23, 2016 5:38 PM in response to Rysz
Level 9 (52,270 points)

Wireless

Aug 23, 2016 5:38 PM in response to Rysz

Just want to confirm a couple of things.

Mac mini (Late 2012) is connected directly via Ethernet cable.

Is that to the AE or main modem? I am pretty sure you mean AE.. but want confirmation.

What is make and model of the main modem?

If you plug the Mac directly to the main modem by ethernet.. bypassing the apple router.. do you get full speed?

When a friend connected his mid-priced Dell PC via Ethernet, he got 95 Mbps both Up and Down. Same connection, same cable.

Just checking this is the AE and not the modem?

Off the top of my head the only standout issue can be IPv6.

Who is your ISP and do they run IPv6?
There are definite and known issues with some ISP.

There are also DNS issues. Sometimes you can get around it using google DNS.

I suggest as a first test.. make sure IPv6 is set to link-local only in the computer. When you test with ethernet turn wireless OFF. Although it should only need ethernet on the top of the connection list it can still mess things up. Wireless is a whole other world of pain. And setup the DNS manually to 8.8.8.8 .. tell me how it goes.
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by Rysz,

Rysz Aug 23, 2016 5:56 PM in response to LaPastenague
Level 6 (19,855 points)

iTunes

Aug 23, 2016 5:56 PM in response to LaPastenague

Thanks for taking time to be so thorogh.

Answers in order of your questions.
1. Normally, Mac mini is connected to AirPort tower. For the purposes of the test, it (and the PC) were connected to wall jack directly.
2. Netgear GS605 v.3
3. No. They're nearly identical when wired directly, thru AP, or via Wi-Fi.
4. No, this was with PC connected directly to wall Jack, but both at the incoming service closet and at the wall jack. Same results, so it's not the internal cabling within the apartment.
5. IPv6 is configured automatically.
6. ISP is Hotwire; Have no idea how to check for IPv;

Re your suggestions, I'll tinker with them tomorrow, but have to warn you, when it comes to anything "network" much of the terminology is meaningless to me.
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by Rysz,

Rysz Aug 23, 2016 6:10 PM in response to Tesserax
Level 6 (19,855 points)

iTunes

Aug 23, 2016 6:10 PM in response to Tesserax

Thanks for the input.

For speed testing I've been SpeedTest and FCC Speed Test. On Mac via their websites, on iOS devices via downloaded apps. My main utility for looking at congestion (I live in a high-rise), signal strength, etc, is WiFi Explorer app. I'll try your suggestions tomorrow. In the meantime, heres what WiFi Explorer shows. 5GHz band is used for Mac and all iDevices. 2.4 GHz band is used only for my TV cable box and is of no importance to me.
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by LaPastenague,

LaPastenague Aug 23, 2016 7:56 PM in response to Rysz
Level 9 (52,270 points)

Wireless

Aug 23, 2016 7:56 PM in response to Rysz

You might have a fairly simple issue here.

2. Netgear GS605 v.3

This is not a modem.. it is a switch.

If you live in a high rise with internet supplied via your building without a proper modem, then it could be you are on a private IP address. Please check.

When you plug your computer directly into the wall socket where the main connection to the building internet comes in.. do you get a public or private IP.

If you don't know the difference..
Private IPv4 address spaces
From the wiki.
RFC1918 name IP address range number of addresses
24-bit block 10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255 16,777,216
20-bit block 172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255 1,048,576
16-bit block 192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255 65,536
The most troublesome addresses are 10.x.x.x

I want you to compare the actual IP gateway (router) and DNS.. when you plug in a Mac vs when you plug in the PC (if you can get your friend back).
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by Tesserax,

Tesserax Aug 24, 2016 8:18 AM in response to Rysz
Level 9 (53,908 points)

Wireless

Aug 24, 2016 8:18 AM in response to Rysz

For speed testing I've been SpeedTest and FCC Speed Test.

Both of those are fine to get an overall end-point to end-point test between your host computer and their server, but neither really test your local network to any degree or point out if your local network has the issue. The apps I mentioned will do this for you and should be part of your troubleshooting suite when the need arises.

My main utility for looking at congestion (I live in a high-rise), signal strength, etc, is WiFi Explorer app.

... and this is an excellent app for getting status on your Wi-Fi connection. You will note that the Signal Strength tab has more details on the actual signal quality of your wireless network. Be sure to add the SNR column so that you can see these results as well. You will want these values to be 25+ dB.
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by Rysz,

Rysz Aug 24, 2016 11:39 AM in response to LaPastenague
Level 6 (19,855 points)

iTunes

Aug 24, 2016 11:39 AM in response to LaPastenague

A "switch" is what was in the incoming service closet originally and what Hotpoint technician recommended.

I only have a desktop Mac so I wasn't able to connect directly to the incoming closet line. And I couldn't figure out which of the 24 jacks to use to bypass the modem/switch.

Here's what I did find out.
Thru AP wired: IPv4 10.0.1.8
Thru wall jack: IPv4 174.141.128.83
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by Rysz,

Rysz Aug 24, 2016 11:52 AM in response to Tesserax
Level 6 (19,855 points)

iTunes

Aug 24, 2016 11:52 AM in response to Tesserax

Looked at WiFiPerf but its way too expensive.
Can't use TamoSoft Throughput Test, we're a one-computer family.
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by Tesserax,

Tesserax Aug 24, 2016 12:18 PM in response to Rysz
Level 9 (53,908 points)

Wireless

Aug 24, 2016 12:18 PM in response to Rysz

Understood. There are a number of other options, but I think LaPastenague's tack is the way to continue as it doesn't sound like the issue relates to your local network but the interface to the Internet.

I'll drop to the background so that you don't get inundated with multiple "things to try" and see where this plays out. However, I can tell you that based on the IP addresses you just provided, that you appear to be getting a public IP address at the wall socket.
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by Rysz,

Rysz Aug 24, 2016 1:57 PM in response to Tesserax
Level 6 (19,855 points)

iTunes

Aug 24, 2016 1:57 PM in response to Tesserax

Thanks for the guidance. Much appreciated.
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by LaPastenague,

LaPastenague Aug 24, 2016 2:39 PM in response to Rysz
Level 9 (52,270 points)

Wireless

Aug 24, 2016 2:39 PM in response to Rysz

Ok.. you are stuck between the Rock (Tesserax) and the beating waves (me).

I am very happy for Tesserax to chip in ideas.. as it all looks incredibly strange to me.

The tech who installed it has some strange ideas.

We never use a switch on incoming broadband connections.

What is going on..?? I am somewhat (completely) lost about.
This is non-standard install.

Please setup the network correctly. The connection from the wall should go straight to the WAN port of the airport. The switch can be plugged into a LAN port of the AE, and then test your network again. If you have issues then I need to see the actual values you are getting on the WAN interface of the AE. There are issues at times with Apple routers not handling gateway correctly on fibre systems.. this is what you might be looking at.

If you continue to have issues it may be worth getting hold of a more standard router. You can keep using the AE so you don't need an expensive one.

OR
Get the ISP tech back to help you. In the end buying help is easier than reinventing the wheel.
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by Rysz,

Rysz Aug 24, 2016 3:40 PM in response to LaPastenague
Level 6 (19,855 points)

iTunes

Aug 24, 2016 3:40 PM in response to LaPastenague

What is going on..?? I am somewhat (completely) lost about.

To the best of my understanding, this is my overall setup.
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by LaPastenague,

LaPastenague Aug 24, 2016 5:05 PM in response to Rysz
Level 9 (52,270 points)

Wireless

Aug 24, 2016 5:05 PM in response to Rysz

What is the wire that comes into the flat from the outside world?

Is it one piece of standard ethernet cable?? Is it a optical cable?

In the Comm Closet is there a box with ethernet (optical) in and line out marked TV.. is that ethernet or coax or???

What is the VOIP unit plugged into one of the wall jacks?

Let me go back to an earlier post.

I only have a desktop Mac so I wasn't able to connect directly to the incoming closet line. And I couldn't figure out which of the 24 jacks to use to bypass the modem/switch.

Here's what I did find out.

Thru AP wired: IPv4 10.0.1.8

Thru wall jack: IPv4 174.141.128.83

So the IP on the wall jack was just any old jack in the house. You could plug the Mac into any of the jacks and get the same or different IP address?

Please post a screenshot of all the details..

So you have your mac plugged into the wall outlet.

I want this shot.

That will give me a better picture of what is going on.
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by Rysz,

Rysz Aug 24, 2016 6:07 PM in response to LaPastenague
Level 6 (19,855 points)

iTunes

Aug 24, 2016 6:07 PM in response to LaPastenague

What is the wire that comes into the flat from the outside world?

Is it one piece of standard ethernet cable?? Is it a optical cable?

Ethernet cable, no optical + coax for TV

In the Comm Closet is there a box with ethernet (optical) in and line out marked TV.. is that ethernet or coax or???

No optical; TV is coax in and out.

What is the VOIP unit plugged into one of the wall jacks?

Ooma telo.

Let me go back to an earlier post.

I only have a desktop Mac so I wasn't able to connect directly to the incoming closet line. And I couldn't figure out which of the 24 jacks to use to bypass the modem/switch.

Here's what I did find out.

Thru AP wired: IPv4 10.0.1.8

Thru wall jack: IPv4 174.141.128.83

So the IP on the wall jack was just any old jack in the house.

The high-rise was wired for data, phone and cable TV when built, including wire distribution within each apartment unit and to each major room. The typical telecom outlet includes all three jacks. We're not using phone lines, but those are separate from data lines.

You could plug the Mac into any of the jacks and get the same or different IP address?

Didn't try, but it should be the same, as they all originate from the same incoming line/Netgear unit?

Please post a screenshot of all the details..

So you have your mac plugged into the wall outlet.

I tried it different ways, directly from Mac to wall jack, wired via AirPort Extreme box and via Wi-Fi. There was no difference in performance. The diagram shows the second option, which is what I'm using now.

That will give me a better picture of what is going on.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Thank you.
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