Determining if You Need to Upgrade Your Router Due to Age
Is your internet connection feeling sluggish, or are you experiencing frequent dropouts? Your router might be the culprit, especially if it’s been serving you for a few years. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you determine if it’s time to upgrade your router due to its age:
Outdated Technology: If your router only supports the 2.4GHz frequency band, it’s a clear indicator of outdated technology. Modern routers typically support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands to provide better performance and flexibility.
Limited Speed and Interference: 2.4GHz WiFi networks are more susceptible to interference and offer slower speeds compared to 5GHz networks. This limitation can significantly impact your internet experience, especially in densely populated areas with many WiFi networks.
Compatibility Issues: Many newer devices prioritize 5GHz connections for faster speeds and better performance. If your router only supports 2.4GHz, you may encounter compatibility issues with these devices.
Recommendation: Immediate replacement is recommended if your router only supports 2.4GHz. Upgrading to a dual-band or tri-band router will not only improve your internet speed and reliability but also ensure compatibility with modern devices and technologies.
Slow Speeds: If you’re not getting the internet speeds you’re paying for, your router might be struggling to keep up with modern demands.
Frequent Disconnections: Aging routers may experience more frequent dropouts, interrupting your online activities.
New Devices: If you’ve recently upgraded your devices to newer models that support faster WiFi standards (such as Wi-Fi 6), your old router might not be able to fully utilize their capabilities.
Smart Home Devices: As the number of smart home devices increases, older routers may struggle to handle the traffic load, leading to network congestion and performance issues.
Outdated Firmware: Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates to patch security vulnerabilities and improve performance. If your router hasn’t received updates in a long time, it may be more susceptible to security threats.
Lack of Security Features: Older routers may lack advanced security features, leaving your network vulnerable to cyber attacks.
WiFi Standards: Newer WiFi standards offer faster speeds, better range, and improved reliability. If your router doesn’t support the latest standards, you may be missing out on these benefits.
Mesh Networking: Modern routers often support mesh networking, which uses multiple access points to create a seamless WiFi network throughout your home. Upgrading to a mesh system can improve coverage and eliminate dead zones.
Here’s an in-depth explanation of how the router communicates with your devices on your network and how older technologies are inefficient compared to new ones – MU-MIMO Explained
Typical Lifespan: While there’s no fixed lifespan for routers, most consumer-grade routers last around 3-5 years before they start experiencing performance issues.
Warranty Expiration: If your router is no longer under warranty and you’re experiencing problems, it might be a sign that it’s reaching the end of its useful life.
Speed Tests: Conduct regular speed tests using reputable online tools to monitor your internet performance. If you consistently experience slower-than-advertised speeds, it could indicate a router problem.
Router Logs: Check your router’s logs for error messages or warnings that indicate hardware or software issues.
Technical Support: If you’re unsure whether your router needs an upgrade, reach out to your ISP’s technical support team or consult with a knowledgeable IT professional for advice.
Upgrading your router can significantly improve your internet experience, providing faster speeds, better coverage, enhanced security, and compatibility with modern devices and technologies. Evaluate your router’s performance, age, and features to determine if an upgrade is necessary to ensure a reliable and secure network.
Remember, investing in a new router is an investment in your online productivity, security, and enjoyment. Don’t hesitate to upgrade if your current router is showing signs of age or struggling to meet your needs.
Internet Speed and Bandwidth
Knowing your internet speed and how it compares to recommendations from internet-based services, such as Zoom, can help you get the most out of your connection. There are many websites that can test your internet connection speed. We recommend https://www.speedtest.net/
You can also download the free Speedtest mobile app by Ookla for Android and iOS to test your connection on your mobile device.
After you finish the speed test, you’ll see two numbers in the results: one is your upload speed and the other is your download speed.
Download speed is the speed at which information travels from the internet to your internet-connected device. For example, if you open a website on your computer, your download speed would determine how long it takes to load the page.
It is important to note, your Download speeds may be slower and not be accurate if there are multiple users in the home streaming video or downloading large files. The download speeds have a higher accuracy when no streaming services are running and no large files are being downloaded when the test is running.
Upload speed is the opposite of download. It is the speed at which information travels from your internet-connected device to the internet. If you post a video to Facebook or TikTok, your upload speed would determine how long it takes your video post to get to the server for all your viewers to see.
With most internet plans, download speeds are much faster than upload speeds. Streaming videos or music, reading email, are all activities that don’t really need upload bandwidth once they’re initiated.
Upload speeds become much more important for interactive applications such as Zoom or using VPNs or uploading video to a streaming service such as Twitch.tv or a camera’s cloud storage. Some Basic Services Recommendations –
Zoom provides bandwidth requirements for meetings at the URL below: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-requirements-for-Windows-macOS-and-Linux
While Zoom only requires 1.5Mbps to use, our experience suggests that speeds below 5Mbps are not adequate for two-way interaction. For a better Zoom experience, we recommend speeds above 20Mbps.
If you need to send a file or video to a student, you’ll want good upload speed. That’s especially important if you have multiple people doing this same thing at the same time since everyone on the same home network shares internet bandwidth. Also, if you make HD videos or any other type of large file and need
to upload them your upload speed will come into play.
For quality video chat Zoom session, your internet service speeds should be in 10 to 25 Mbps download speed range and at least 3 Mbps upload speed for best results.
Netflix can be found – https://help.netflix.com/en/node/306
To watch TV shows and movies on Netflix, we recommended having a stable internet connection with a download speed shown below in megabits per second (Mbps).
Video Quality: High Definition (HD)
Resolution: 720p
Recommended Speed: 3 Mbps or higher
Video Quality: Full High Definition (FHD)
Resolution: 1080p
Recommended Speed: 5 Mbps or higher
Video Quality: Ultra High Definition (UHD)
Resolution: 4K
Recommended Speed: 15 Mbps or higher
Prime Video can be found – https://www.primevideo.com/help?nodeId=GP57SKQ7CB5DRS6F
Prime Video recommends a minimum download speed of 1Mb/s for SD content and 5Mb/s for HD content. Prime Video will serve the highest quality streaming experience possible based on the bandwidth speed available.
Twitch.TV Game Streaming can be found – https://www.primevideo.com/help?nodeId=GP57SKQ7CB5DRS6F
Understanding the Difference Between 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi
WiFi networks operate on different frequencies, primarily 2.4GHz and 5GHz. New wireless standards are coming out that allow transmissions in the 6Ghz range. These frequencies offer varying speeds and coverage, and understanding the differences can help you optimize your internet experience.
– Coverage: Provides better coverage over longer distances and through solid objects like walls.
– Interference: More susceptible to interference from other devices like microwaves, Bluetooth devices, and cordless phones, which can slow down your connection.
– Speed: Typically offers slower speeds compared to 5GHz, suitable for basic internet browsing, email, and light streaming.
– Compatibility: Compatible with older devices that may not support 5GHz networks.
Devices that would ideally be best/only can connect on the 2.4Ghz WiFi:
– Traeger
– Printers
– Security Cameras
– Doorbells
– IoT devices (Alexa, Nest, etc)
– Speed: Offers faster speeds and is ideal for bandwidth-intensive activities like HD video streaming, online gaming, and large file downloads.
– Interference: Less susceptible to interference due to fewer devices operating on this frequency band.
– Coverage: Provides faster speeds over shorter distances and may struggle to penetrate solid objects compared to 2.4GHz.
– Compatibility: Not all devices support 5GHz WiFi, especially older ones, so compatibility may vary.
Devices that would ideally be best on the 5Ghz:
-WiFi – Video Game Consoles
– PCs
– TVs that are streaming video
– Media servers
– Cellular Devices
– 2K/4K Video Cameras
– Consider Usage: If you prioritize speed and have newer devices, 5GHz is likely the better option. If you need wider coverage or have older devices, 2.4GHz might be more suitable.
– Router Settings: Most modern routers support both frequencies, allowing you to choose the best one based on your needs. You can usually switch between them in your router’s settings.
– Network Congestion: In areas with many WiFi networks, 5GHz may offer less interference and better performance, whereas in less crowded areas, 2.4GHz may suffice.
Some newer routers are shipping with a merged wireless network where the 2.4Ghz and the 5/6Ghz network are interchangeable. The router or wireless access point “steers” the device onto the best wireless band it can see. The wireless access point in alot of circumstances is incapable of determining that a device is only capable of connecting to the 2.4Ghz wifi network. In a situation like this you would need to temporarily disable the 5Ghz wifi network so you can connect your device to the wifi. Consult your specific router’s documentation for instructions on how to perform this action.
If you are having issues with streaming on a particular device you can often go to the network settings in the device and will be presented with information regarding the connection health. Any streaming device should be on the 5Ghz network and a healthy receive level on your device will be below -70dbm (-40 is typically the best signal that can be achieved generally). If you check your device and see a signal level below this you may need to upgrade your router to a mesh system or a more powerful access point. The overwhelming majority of streaming issues encountered stem from either 1) Being on the 2.4Ghz network and not having enough bandwidth being delivered to the device to support streaming or 2) Being on the 5Ghz network but not having a strong enough signal to maintain a solid connection to the router. There are a variety of apps that you can download that will verify your signal strength in real-time coming from your router
In conclusion, understanding the differences between 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi can help you optimize your internet experience based on your specific needs and the capabilities of your devices.
Overview of Quality of Service (QoS)
Quality of Service (QoS) is a network management technique that prioritizes certain types of data traffic over others to ensure optimal performance and user experience. QoS mechanisms help regulate network traffic, reduce latency, and minimize packet loss, particularly in situations where multiple applications or services compete for bandwidth.
Gaming:
– Low Latency: QoS can prioritize gaming traffic to minimize latency and ensure smooth gameplay.
– Consistent Performance: By allocating sufficient bandwidth to gaming applications, QoS helps prevent interruptions or lag spikes during online gaming sessions.
– Fairness: QoS can ensure fair access to network resources for all users, preventing one user’s activities from monopolizing bandwidth and negatively impacting others’ gaming experiences.
VPN (Virtual Private Network):
– Data Integrity: QoS prioritizes VPN traffic to maintain data integrity and ensure secure communication between the user’s device and the VPN server.
– Stability: By giving VPN traffic higher priority, QoS helps maintain a stable and reliable connection, reducing the risk of dropped connections or timeouts.
– Privacy Protection: QoS helps safeguard sensitive data transmitted over the VPN by ensuring it receives priority treatment over other less critical traffic.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Services:
– Call Quality: QoS prioritizes VoIP traffic to guarantee high call quality, minimize audio delays, and prevent jitter or packet loss.
– Reliability: By giving VoIP packets preferential treatment, QoS helps ensure reliable and uninterrupted voice communication, even during periods of network congestion.
– Consistency: QoS mechanisms maintain a consistent level of service for VoIP applications, preventing fluctuations in call quality or dropped calls due to insufficient bandwidth or network congestion.
In summary, QoS plays a crucial role in optimizing network performance and user experience for various applications, including gaming, VPN usage, and VoIP services. By prioritizing critical traffic and managing bandwidth effectively, QoS helps ensure consistent performance, low latency, and reliable connectivity, ultimately enhancing the overall user experience.
