08-27-2010, 05:28 AM

Hi hope someone can help me with this.

I have a buffalo WHR-G300N V2 AP/router. According to buffalo if you set the bandwidth to 40Mhz per channel, this will operate the access point at 300Mb.

Problem is when i check with Network Utility, it still only shows as 130Mb, I know my imac (3.06 GHz Core2Duo late 2009) can operate at 300Mb, its just getting it to do it. I have tried various channel set ups on the AP, but all to no avail. The AP is approx 10 foot away in another room, showing full wireless strength so distance is not an issue, just dont fancy drilling through the wall to bring in a wired connection

Any suggestions would be welcome

08-27-2010, 05:40 AM

You shouldn't need to be doing anything but setting up a wireless 'n' network. If you're setting up a 'g' network, you'll not get 300Mb. If you set up a combo 'g/n' network, you'll not get 300Mb while another 'g' device is accessing the network.

If that router provides the data speed to your airport card auto subtracting it's overhead (which I've not seen a router do), it won't show 300Mb. Only thinking here, since 130Mb is above 'g' speeds.

08-27-2010, 06:54 AM

20Mhz is up to 150Mb, 40Mhz is up to 300mb

But many routers don't allow this to be user modified and often activate the 40Mhz band if you select 'N' only and/or 5Ghz N.

Really depends on the router.

08-27-2010, 07:25 AM

The netgear manual for that router states that enabling 'n' only enables 300Mb. The very next sentence said your bandwidth would be "much less" due to it's overhead which was what led to my thought in the above post. While I can usually figure out what I need to do for my own setups, I'm no expert with routers by any means.

08-27-2010, 02:01 PM

After much digging around the net and support forums, it appears the reason my imacs only getting 130Mb is due to the fact its operating at 2.4GHz N, not 5GHz N.

Problem is ive been on every page of the routers web config, and there is nowhere to set up 5GHz, only to set 40MHz. I also read on one forum that here in the UK 5GHz is not allowed, dont know how true this is. Going to update the firmware to see if that changes matters.

Edit for anyone whos interested, it appears the imac only supports 150Mb in the 2.4GHz N range, which here in the UK it appears we are stuck with.
This page explains all pretty well http://eduncan911.com/blog/the-truth-about-802-11n.aspx

08-29-2010, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by bazanders

After much digging around the net and support forums, it appears the reason my imacs only getting 130Mb is due to the fact its operating at 2.4GHz N, not 5GHz N.

Problem is ive been on every page of the routers web config, and there is nowhere to set up 5GHz, only to set 40MHz. I also read on one forum that here in the UK 5GHz is not allowed, dont know how true this is. Going to update the firmware to see if that changes matters.

Edit for anyone whos interested, it appears the imac only supports 150Mb in the 2.4GHz N range, which here in the UK it appears we are stuck with.
This page explains all pretty well Eric Duncan : The truth about 802.11n, 2.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz

OK..... gotta love blogs like that.... just a little misleading unfortunately. I can assure you that, not only is 5Ghz allowed in the UK but Macs are more than capable of using it.

I'm in the UK.

I'm running a Netgear router attached to an airport express that's serving a 5ghz N network. My iMac and both Macbooks all connect to that network at 300Mbits/s.

As per my previous post, setting things up really depends on the router. In the case of your Buffalo, setting the wifi to 40Mhz activates up to 300mbits/s mode.

However, you will not see 5Ghz mode for this router. It maxes out at 2.472
http://www.buffalo-technology.com/fi...NV2%20EN_1.pdf

There's also a disclaimer in the manual stating that 300mb is only subject to various conditions. Buffalo tie 300mb mode in with channel setting so I'd experiment with setting the channel and extension channel manually. as well as setting the bandwidth to 40Mhz.

Either way you won't be able to use the less cluttered band of 5Ghz on this router I'm afraid.

08-29-2010, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by mrplow

OK..... gotta love blogs like that.... just a little misleading unfortunately. I can assure you that, not only is 5Ghz allowed in the UK but Macs are more than capable of using it.

I'm in the UK.

I'm running a Netgear router attached to an airport express that's serving a 5ghz N network. My iMac and both Macbooks all connect to that network at 300Mbits/s.

As per my previous post, setting things up really depends on the router. In the case of your Buffalo, setting the wifi to 40Mhz activates up to 300mbits/s mode.

However, you will not see 5Ghz mode for this router. It maxes out at 2.472
http://www.buffalo-technology.com/fi...NV2%20EN_1.pdf

There's also a disclaimer in the manual stating that 300mb is only subject to various conditions. Buffalo tie 300mb mode in with channel setting so I'd experiment with setting the channel and extension channel manually. as well as setting the bandwidth to 40Mhz.

Either way you won't be able to use the less cluttered band of 5Ghz on this router I'm afraid.

Don't forget that Apple's iOS devices won't use the 40Mhz band...

08-29-2010, 12:27 PM

Are you sure?

The iPhone 4 won't do 5ghz just 2.4 but I can't find anything relating to the bandwidth capabilities.

Be handy if you had a link for future reference

08-29-2010, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by mrplow

Are you sure?

The iPhone 4 won't do 5ghz just 2.4 but I can't find anything relating to the bandwidth capabilities.

Be handy if you had a link for future reference

iPhone and iPod touch: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections

08-29-2010, 08:15 PM

Good spot

OP:
from the link Chris H posted it definatly looks like you're going to be out of luck getting 300mb using that particular with your Mac.

08-29-2010, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Chris H.

Don't forget that Apple's iOS devices won't use the 40Mhz band...

Originally Posted by Chris H.

iPhone and iPod touch: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections

That's weird, I have my router set to 40MHz and I have zero problems having my Apple devices connect to it.

08-29-2010, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Kash

That's weird, I have my router set to 40MHz and I have zero problems having my Apple devices connect to it.

Are you sure the router isn't on a dual band setting? Like 20/40MHz?

08-29-2010, 10:52 PM

I'm 100% certain. I saw all three options and purposefully chose 40MHz.

08-30-2010, 09:55 AM

Update: I found the problem. Works fine with my Macbook and iPad, but my iPhone won't seem to hold onto the wireless network; I have to manually select it every few hours, but it does work when I'm connected.

Looks like I'm switching back to 20MHz.

08-30-2010, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by mrplow

Good spot

OP:
from the link Chris H posted it definatly looks like you're going to be out of luck getting 300mb using that particular with your Mac.

Thanks for the info regarding 5 GHz, Re my router i have tried every channel now with it set to 40MHz, and still no joy with this particular model, so as you say looks like im out of luck. Serves me right for being so cheap it was only £20 at ebuyer.

What model would you recommend (only need an access pointy, have crappy sky wireless router) if you dont mind me asking.