network throughput over a wireless access point is bad for LAN traffic, yet good for internet traffic

[David Bandel]

On 6/19/06, Net Llama! <netllama at linux-sxs.org> wrote:
> I've got an bunch of 802.11b hardware (wireless access point WAP, pcmcia
> cards) setup at home, connected to a wired network via a 100Mb Netgear
> switch.  The same switch is also connected to the border
> router/NAT/firewall box which goes out to the DSL modem/internet.  I've
> had this setup for years, and haven't made any changes to it since setting
> it up originally.
>
> Over the past few weeks, I've noticed that all network traffic over the
> WAP that is local (just on my home LAN) is horribly slow (like 1KB/s
> slow), yet all traffic over the WAP to/from the internet is fine (about
> 1.5Mb/s).  I've tried scp/http/nfs and all of them are slow as can be
> possibly imagined when between LAN systems (both between wireless systems,
> and between wireless & wired systems). The problem does not exist between
> wired systems.  There are no errors in dmesg/messages, its just like
> something is swallowing 99% of the packets.
>
> All the systems (wireless and wired) are running FC5-x86, however there
> are no firewalls or traffic shaping on the LAN,  just on the border
> router/firewall/NAT box, which is never in the equation except for traffic
> going to/from the internet (where this problem never appears).
>
> Anyone have any troubleshooting suggestions/ideas?

Scan for your neighbors' new AP.  Move at least 4 channels away.
Better- go to 802.11a (5GHz).

And welcome to the wonderful world of wireless.  It will only get worse.

Ciao,

David A. Bandel
-- 
Focus on the dream, not the competition.
            - Nemesis Air Racing Team motto