NFS, Why so slow?

[Steve Lamb]

Knapp wrote:
> So how does it work when the router is set to channel 13 and I have 2
> computers with wifi?

     That's getting into networking 201. :)

     All the computers can be on the same channel because the network 
connection is not always there.  It is only in use when one of the machines is 
transmitting.  So if you're downloading something on your computer and your 
laptop is idle, your computer gets full speed.  If you're downloading 
something on both then, yes, they get slightly less than 1/2 speed.  I say 
slightly because of other network mechanics which I won't get into.

     This is no different than pushing bandwidth over any shared segment.  In 
the same scenario above your desktop is downloading something and your laptop 
is download at something.  Chances are you would not notice a slowdown as most 
cable and DSL connections are far slower than wireless.  Mine is 3Mb/s. 
Wireless, as mentioned here, is (for practical purposes) around 22Mb/s.  3Mb/s 
to one machine or 3Mb/s to both machines still means the wireless has about 
18Mb/s left.

     About the only time you would notice a slowdown is if you're transmitting 
files from both machines to the other machine.  Since both are trying to 
transmit they'll step all over each other.  But this happens on the wire just 
as easily as wireless so it isn't something specific to wireless.

-- 
          Steve C. Lamb         | But who decides what they dream?
        PGP Key: 8B6E99C5       |   And dream I do...
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