Sky Broadband and AirPort Extreme Setup

[EpicKris]

I would like to know if the setup of my current network is the best for speed (both internet and internal) I can get.



Sky Router

• Ethernet AirPort Extreme (bridged)
• Ethernet PS3 1
• Ethernet TV
• Wi-Fi disabled

AirPort Extreme (Bridged)

• Ethernet Sky Router
• Ethernet iMac
• Wi-Fi 802.11n 2.4GHz & 5 GHz

Wi-Fi Devices

• MacBook Pro 1
• MacBook Pro 2
• iPad 2
• iPhone 4 1
• iPhone 4 2
• PS3 2

This setup is as optimised as I've gotten my network so far, however there seems to be a problem streaming HD video from one of the computers to one of the PS3s, it can be very jittery.

I thought because the AirPort Extreme is bridged that the Sky Router is handling the traffic, but does this mean because the ethernet speed on the Sky Router is 100Mbps that streaming is limited to that speed?

Thank you for any replies in advanced.

[Isitme]

I am not sure where the problems lies, but 100mbps is more than enough to stream HD. If you are using wireless to stream, then that is likely to be the problem.

[EpicKris]

I am not sure where the problems lies, but 100mbps is more than enough to stream HD. If you are using wireless to stream, then that is likely to be the problem.

Okay, I was unsure if 100Mbps was fast enough, although I stream using wi-fi, I've never had this problem using just the wi-fi itself before (the wi-fi is capable of the same speeds).

[Isitme]

You might have to experiment with the wireless channels the AP is using. A change of channel might make all the difference.

[Scubbie]

Streaming Video off the net is possible with a 2Mb connection. A HD Video may require a little more.

Streaming HD Video over a WiFi g connection will suffer with a poor signal.

You suggesting the use of WiFi n which is more capable of streaming multiple HD videos simultaneously.

If you are bridging the Airport via WiFi, then it may be suffering as the Sky router you have is only a WiFi g router. I would definitely ask the you ensure that they are connected via either an Ethernet cable or HomePlugs.

Personally I've upgraded my LAN so that it is a 1Gbit LAN. This allows for some really heavy traffic to pass before the HD videos start to suffer.

However if my Internet connection is getting hammered, I can struggle with watching BBC iPlayer content at the same time.

[James_Mitchell]

Not sure about the AirPort Extreme, but I use a Time Machine (basically the same thing but with a HDD in it) and the 5Ghz WiFi was turned off by default and I had to go in and turn it on. You should then see 2 available WiFi networks (both the same name, one with 5Ghz at the end though).

Make sure your iPad and Macbook's are connected to this 5GHz Airport Extreme WiFi (iPhones wont see the 5Ghz WiFi. Not sure if the PS3 will see this either but I suspect not?)

The Macbook's should then connect at the full 300mpbs WiFi speed (depending on how new they are) and this should also free up some bandwidth on the ordinary non-5Ghz WiFi channel as well.