NETGEAR ProSafe Dual Band Wireless VPN Firewall reviewed



Throughput vs. Distance, continued

Moving on to 11a performance, let's once again compare the FWAG (Figure 12) to the WRT55AG (Figure 13).

NETGEAR FWAG114 - Four Condition 11a Throughput test

Figure 12: Four Condition 11a Throughput test - FWAG114
(click on the image for a full-sized view)

Linksys WRT55AG - Four Condition 11a Throughput test

Figure 13: Four Condition 11a Throughput test - WRT55AG
(click on the image for a full-sized view)

Although there are more similarities in 11a performance, the FWAG's radio uses a newer Atheros chipset, which appears to give it an edge over the WRT55AG in low-signal conditions.

The best news, however, is the FWAG's 11a Turbo performance shown in Figure 14.

NETGEAR FWAG114 - Four Condition 11a Turbo Throughput test

Figure 13: Four Condition 11a Turbo Throughput test - FWAG114
(click on the image for a full-sized view)

There's no Linksys comparison plot because the WRT55AG didn't provide an 11a Turbo mode. This plot clearly shows that Atheros' 802.11a technology can deliver high throughput under indoor test conditions and maximum throughput superior to 802.11g - with or without "packet-bursting" throughput enhancements.

802.11g Wireless Performance Test Results

Test Conditions


- WEP encryption: DISABLED
- Tx Rate: Automatic
- Power Save: Disabled
- Test Partner: NETGEAR WAG511 CardBus card

Firmware/Driver Versions

AP f/w:
U12H00500_V1.0.20
Wireless client driver:
WinXP 2.4.1.30
Wireless client f/w:
No Info

Test DescriptionSignal Strength (%)Transfer Rate (Mbps)Response Time (msec)UDP stream
Throughput (kbps)Lost data (%)
Client to AP - Condition 19219.4
[No WEP]
19.1
[w/ WEP]
1 (avg)
3 (max)
4990
Client to AP - Condition 27819.71 (avg)
2 (max)
4990
Client to AP - Condition 35218.41 (avg)
2 (max)
4990
Client to AP - Condition 45518.81 (avg)
3 (max)
4990
See details of how we test.