**Investigating 802.11 ad Performance: A Mixed Bag**
As we delved into investigating the performance of our 802.11 ad router, it became clear that this is an investigation into single client performance starting with 2.4 GHz, rather than a comprehensive review of routers in general. We decided to focus on single-client performance because of its relevance to home users and small office setups. Our tests showed that we're really struggling to maintain a stable speed each of the four ier streams is competing with each other for bandwidth.
On the other hand, 5 GHz proved to be nice and clean, similar to what you'd expect from a wired connection albeit a slower one. However, our 60 GHz test was screaming fast as advertised, but we did note quite a bit of variation between our streams. This highlights the need for more robust testing methods to accurately assess the performance of these high-frequency routers.
**Comparing Averages: The Great Router Debate**
Our file copy tests revealed more predictable results, with 802.11 ad giving a significant real-world boost in speed over both the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands. In fact, our speeds were similar to those of wired connections. However, we did depart from The Wire (Wireless) by seeing that while speeds were cool, signal integrity was where we lost out on this upgrade. As part of our testing, we tried to see how far we could go before losing out on the big speed upgrade and ventured into the dreaded Realm of the outside world.
To test range, we set up our Netgear Nighthawk on a brand new picnic table, fired it up, and started walking after an arduous 63.5 ft trek. The 60 GHz signal dropped altogether at this point, rip signal – 5 GHz and 2.4 G GHz were still going strong with connection rates of 866 and 300 megabit per second respectively.
**The Great Outdoors: Range Testing**
We then set up the TP Link Talon on a similar setup, but the results were not as impressive. The picnic table became our first obstruction before we added more obstacles to the test. We used the Netgear router box as our first obstruction, which caused the 60 GHz signal to drop out all it has in it is cardboard and paper. For the TP Link, however, we got a better result – latency increased slightly, but otherwise it was still connected.
We then simulated an additional obstacle by turning our back to the router, which failed both routers. The human body proved too much for our poor 60 GHz signal, highlighting the need for robust interference mitigation strategies. However, the TP Link's array of eight antennas allowed it to deliver solid performance despite these challenges.
**Indoor and Outdoor Challenges**
When taking the fight back indoors in my office, Netgear's obstruction avoidance strategy of bouncing Wi-Fi signals around allowed it to go from struggling to penetrate a folded-up tablecloth to delivering solid performance to a client directly behind my monitor. This showcases the potential for 802.11 ad routers to provide reliable performance even in challenging environments.
However, there are also some less obvious hassles associated with 802.11 ad technology, such as limited availability of compatible clients and high costs. Moreover, setting up an optimal network requires careful planning, including running cables to ensure line-of-sight access points – a problem that's particularly prevalent in large rooms or homes with multiple floors.
**The Verdict: Is 802.11 ad Ready for Prime Time?**
While our tests showed promising results, we can't help but feel that there are still some significant challenges to overcome before 802.11 ad routers become widely adopted. The early adopter hassles of limited availability and high costs are already evident in the market, and the need for robust interference mitigation strategies highlights the complexity of this technology.
However, as an alternative to traditional home Mesh networking solutions, 802.11 ad has the potential to provide reliable and fast performance in a wide range of environments. The results from our testing were encouraging, and we're excited to see how this technology will evolve in the coming years.
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