[WARNING] For D-Link Access Point users and Samba

[silas]

Hello!

I've been working in last days on testing TS units under WiFi communication. I was working on Linksys devices, and new D-Link devices (11 years of warranty) -all working in 802.11n.

So I found a bug... it's NOT in QNAP devices but in D-Link Access Point DAP-1353.
If You will download a latest firmware available in europe for it (eg. from Deutch site):
DAP1353-firmware-v210-r0030(0214181803).bin
...you will have download speed arround 1mb/s in 802.11g mode through Samba eg. from QNAP devices. I was also testing on standard PC with installed linux and problem also exist.

You need to downgrade firmware to version:
DAP-1353-firmware-v201-r0021.bin - it's now available at ftp.dlink.pl
(speed arround 2mb/s in 802.11g mode)

In Linksys devices arround 3mb/s in 802.11g mode

That problem is caused of not properly working firmware for D-Link devices. In my opinion DO NOT BUY 802.11n D-Link Wireless units. I've been comparing D-Link DAP-1353 and Linksys WAP4400N in range and speed. Here is my result:
Linksys WAP4400N with original antenas MIMO 3x 2dBi was working same like D-Link DAP-1353 with antenas 3x Interline Horizon 9dBi antenas (http://www.interline.pl). So result is terrible for D-Link.

If You will have problems with D-Link access point and samba find answer in upgrading or downgrading firmware unit (FTP should work normally - confirmed in 50%). THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM OF QNAP DEVICES.

Hope You will never buy them...

Best regards

[pouln]

Hi Silas,

Thanks for the warning. In my case a little too late because I just received my D-Link DIR-655 11N router.
I did some homework though before ordering it and found that according to some guys on a dutch forum the router does provide excellent range and speed.
One snag was that using n an b/g protocol mixed would lead to bad results.
I am using it in n-mode only.

Thing is I haven't the slightest idea how I could measure the throughput (read and write) when accessing the QNAP 209 Pro I have.
If somebody could point me to some tools for doing this, that would be great.

thanks,

Poul

[silas]

Hi!

Thanks for Your relpy. I made a simple diagram for You. But before find somewhere this utility: PassMark WirelessMon Professional (I was working on v2.1.1001) it will help You to diagnose Your wireless network. How it works and etc. If You got problem please PM me I'll help You find it

Now take a look for my diagram.


Here are my example of testing D-Link and Linksys. So You need to get 2 devices workable in 802.11n. Both devices are placed on free air without nothing in distance 5m. One unit is working on channel 3, and second one on channel 9.

We are starting test with notebook and we will move from point 2 to point 1.
In a notebook we need to have swapable PCMCIA WiFi card... one with Atheros chip (eg. D-Link) and one with Broadcom chip (eg. Linksys). We need to do this two tests because Linksys is using in most devices Broadcom chip and D-Link is using in 802.11n in europe only Atheros.

1) Testing range with PassMark WirelessMon.
a) We will observe that Linksys Access Point (A) signal strength is much better... doesn't matter if we will test it on Linksys or D-Link PCMCIA - Linksys signal is better.
b) if we are connected by Linksys PCMCIA to D-Link AP - noise will be greater than D-Link PCMCIA to D-Link AP. And the same is if we are connecting from D-Link PCMCIA to Linksys AP - noise is greater than Linksys PCMCIA to Linksys AP.
c) quality of working anyway You will observe that Linksys is winning - doesn't matter if they are using old Broadcom chip. Radio in Linksys is working much better and free from noise. D-Link is using newer, better Atheros chip - but D-Link radios are worst!

2) Testing speed - here You can get Total Commander and simply get connected by ftp or samba to NAS and test the speed - doesn't matter what You gonna choose.
(! Do not use PassMark WirelessMon while testing speed !)
a) D-Link PCMCIA to D-Link AP = transfer speed X
b) Linksys PCMCIA to D-Link AP = transfer speed X-3%
but...
c) D-Link PCMCIA to Linksys AP = transfer speed X+10%
d) Linksys PCMCIA to Linksys AP = transfer speed X+25%
This mean very important is wireless station.

And remember... Comparing wireless units is very strange. Because totally different can be result of test when You'll have arround buildings and etc. You need to know also something about MIMO. MIMO doesn't mean it's better. MIMO is better is You are using it at home because signal is better going over the walls at Your home. But if You will want to have wireless outside Your home, maybe better will be to use traditional WiFi without MIMO - this You need to compare Yourself. And selecting good external antennas for MIMO is very hard. I hope You will don't spend so many time like me on testing wireless units. What I need to say... all that WiFi is a **! Maybe if QNAP will release some Access Point with radio working not in 100mW but eg. in 1W ... signal will be very good for me and i'll be very happy. Can be just blocked by software to sell it to Europe

And remember: The best always will be 1gbit. And please do not waste time on Wireless like i do that...

Enjoy and play fun with it