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[logicalshrapnel]

I purchased the DIR-645 based on the reports that it's directional antennas should give me a better signal than other routers. Sadly it has not proven to be true.

I've tried running it in the exact same place as my WRT54G 802.11g router but the throughput is not even close despite being on 802.11n. I hope there is something I can change to get it performing adequately. That it can't challenge an old .11g router is definitely not what I was hoping for.

Any assistance appreciated!

Some details:

• I've tried the same channel as the 11.g router (with the respective router turned of of course).
• I've tried running the DIR-645 in 11g mode.
• Transmission rate is set to automatic
• Channel width 20/40 Mhz
• WPA2 only
• TGransmit power high
• Short GI: yes
• HT 20/40 Coexist - tried both on and off

[FurryNutz]

Link>Welcome!
What Hardware version is your router? Look at sticker under router.
Link>What Firmware version is currently loaded? Found on routers web page under status.
What region are you located?


Some things to try:

Setup DHCP reserved IP addresses for all devices ON the router. Setup/Networking
Ensure devices are set to auto obtain an IP address.
Set Firewall settings to Endpoint Independent for TCP and UDP under Advanced/Firewall.
Enable uPnP and Multi-cast Streaming under Advanced/Networking.

Link>Wireless Installation Considerations
What wireless modes are you using? Under Setup/Wireless/Manual.
Try mixed G and N?
Channel Width set for Auto 20/40Mhz or try 20Mhz only.
Try setting a manual channel to a open or unused channel. 1, 6 or 11. 11 for single mode N if the channel is clear.
What security mode are you using? Preferred security is WPA-Personal. WPA2/AES Only. Some WiFi adapters don't support AES, so you might want to try TPIK only or Auto.
What wireless devices do you have connected?
Any cordless house phones?
Any other WiFi routers in the area? Link> Use InSSIDer to find out. How many?
Turn off WISH, and WPS under Advanced.
Try turning off Short GI, WLAN Partition,and Extra Wireless Protection if you have it. Under Advanced/Advanced Wireless.

[logicalshrapnel]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick response!

What Hardware version is your router? Look at sticker under router.
> A1
What Firmware version is currently loaded? Found on routers web page under status.
>1.02
What region are you located?
> Europe (Sweden)

Setup DHCP reserved IP addresses for all devices ON the router. Setup/Networking
> I have DHCP enabled since I have a server handling this. Should have mentioned this from the start, sorry. I also have nothing connected on the WAN interface since I have no need for the routing part. My server (Which in turn is connected to the internet) is hooked into one of the LAN ports.

Ensure devices are set to auto obtain an IP address.
> They are.

Set Firewall settings to Endpoint Independent for TCP and UDP under Advanced/Firewall.
> Not sure if this has any effect on LAN but I've set it now and will run a new test.

Enable uPnP and Multi-cast Streaming under Advanced/Networking.
> Multi-cast Streaming was enabled, I've enabled UPnP now and will run a new test.

What wireless modes are you using? Under Setup/Wireless/Manual.
> 802.11n only

Try mixed G and N?
> Yes, it did not help. As far as I know it would even give me decreased performance as soon as there is an 802.11g unit on the network.

Channel Width set for Auto 20/40Mhz or try 20Mhz only.
> Tried both, currently set to Auto.

Try setting a manual channel to a open or unused channel. 1, 6 or 11. 11 for single mode N if the channel is clear.
> Running specifically on 6 right now which is clear. This is where my 11g router was running as well. I had the DIR-645 on 11 initially (also clear) but no difference.

What security mode are you using? Preferred security is WPA-Personal. WPA2/AES Only. Some WiFi adapters don't support AES, so you might want to try TPIK only or Auto.
> WPA-Personal WPA2 only, AES. Since I do get a connecting I would assume there is no need to change to TKIP.

What wireless devices do you have connected?
> Asus Transformer Prime and a Sony Ericsson Arc S. I'm running the speed tests on the Transformer Prime.

Any cordless house phones?
> None, can't vouch for my neighbors though. But then again they out to interfere with the other router just as much.
Any other WiFi routers in the area? Link> Use InSSIDer to find out. How many?
> About 5, but they are not on my channel (unless using a hidden SSID) and the should interfere as much with my other router so I think we can rule out outside disturbances.

Turn off WISH, and WPS under Advanced.
> WPS is disabled already. But wish do you mean QoS? In that case it is turned off.

Try turning off Short GI, WLAN Partition,and Extra Wireless Protection if you have it. Under Advanced/Advanced Wireless.
> WLAN Partition is off, Had Short GI on previously, turned it with no difference, turning it back off no your suggestion now. Not sure what you mean by "Extra wireless protection"?

[FurryNutz]

If your using this as an AP then I would review this:
Turning a router into an AP.
Basically turn everything OFF accept the WiFi radio. SPI, Traffic Shaping and QoS, Filters, Streaming and such since most of these options are dependent upon the WAN port being used.

What kind of building material is your place? Wood and such?
I would play with the HT Coexistence and see if either has an effect when disabled or not.
Are most of your devices G only or some N?

Just because your using a hidden SSID doesn't mean it's not susceptible to interference. 5 other routers near by can have an impact on the radio. I would review each Wifi that is near by and see what channel they use. Find a open and clear channel, preferably chl 11.

This model router might not have the Extra Wireless Protection option.

Also placement of the router in your building is key to getting good coverage. it should be central in relation to the outer building walls and places on the main or 1st floor.

[logicalshrapnel]

The building materials are drywall and concrete. But as I stated I get better throughput using a WRT54G 802.11g router in the exact same spot so it's not external interference causing the lack in performance nor the placement. If it were I would have as poor performance on that router (assuming same channel and encryption method). This is specially true since I can't get the DIR close the the same throughput even when running it in pure .11g mode.

My devices are all N devices. I have no need to connect any g devices to the network.

I guess I should have been more clear on my "hidden SSID" comment. I did not mean my own SSID. What I mean was there are no other networks on channel 6 and/or 11 that I know of. But I can't pick up networks that are not broadcasting their SSID. But again it should not matter. For optimal performance yes, but remember we are comparing to a similarly configured 11g router and coming up short.

Why do you especially recommend channel 11?

Same comment as above about placement. For optimal performance I understand this is key and I am working on the best location to get best performance int he areas where it is most important. But placement can be removed from the equation but placing the WRT54G and the DIR-645 in the same spot.

[FurryNutz]

Then if you don't have any need for G, I would go single mode N.

Yes channel 11 is a preferred channel for N mode. AES has the best performance for encryption.