Extreme Networks

Eric_Ashton · ‎10-31-2018

What is the normal throughput for 2.4ghz with Extreme APs and with 5 ghz? We have users complaining of slow wifi speeds and computers on the wifi are substantially slower than wired users. Currently we are getting 35-40 mbps with iperf test when on 2.4ghz. For some reason this test could drop down to 10 on certain tests. While on 5ghz we are right around 70mbps.

Are these normal numbers?
Also while pinging from a wired PC to a Wireless device we will get alot of high ms pings then it will level out and then spike again. Is this normal behavior?

Tomasz · ‎10-31-2018

Amazing article, Gareth!

Remember Eric, AP throughput is not real:
- "marketing" throughput is aggregated for both radios, e.g. 1,75 Gbps for 11ac Wave 1 is 450 Mbps for 2.4 GHz and 1,3 Gbps for 5 GHz; so at best you could get 1,3 Gbps (BTW that's why some push you to buy double-port APs or 2.5 G interface switches), but...
- 802.11 MAC layer overhead, beacons and retransmissions and everything else - this reduces your throughput; it can eat about 50% of PHY throughput as mentioned (we go down to around 650 Mbps here);
- AP throughput is for full utilization of it's antennas; if the AP is 3x3:3 and your device is 2x2:2 for example, you can get two third of performance at most (despite the data rate might show some high PHY based on RF signal quality);
- same applies to channel width (20/40/80 MHz); mcsindex.com is a good point to see what PHY data rates are possible with different MIMO and channel widths for different 802.11 ammendments (then signal strength based on device sensitivity and SNR will imply actual data rate for AP-STA communication);
- in the end, all APs and STAs that talk on the same or adjacent channel interfere, so it drops your throughput even more; WiFi channel is one big collision domain with no option for collision detection so far (just CSMA/CA) so when two devices happen to talk at the same time, both might have their signals falsified.

From what you say, maybe it would be good to seek for interference (ACI/CCI) on 2.4 GHz. To many APs on the same/adjacent channel? 3rd pty SSIDs on the same/adjacent channel? Other 2.4 GHz devices with heavy blow (microwave, BT, sensors)? Too many clients on the same/adjacent channel? Perhaps the APs power is too high and with your environment they could have CCI on tens/hundreds of meters? Maybe your channel re-use plan for 2.4 GHz could be finetuned? If you are able, push dual-band clients to 5 GHz.
Those are basics, greatly enahnced within the article Gareth linked here.

Besides, IMHO AP throughput shouldn't be critical if it can reach around 20-30 Mbps per client. Unless you are doing some file transfer or multimedia streaming, typical office traffic is rather of hundreds of kbps per client on average.

My personal best so far was 200 Mbps with 2x2 Intel WLAN card on my PC (867 Mbps PHY), 11ac Wave 2 AP, 5 GHz, 5-7 meters away, conference room with small to none RF footprint around and no other clients connected. I don't remember the channel width unfortunately. I will check tomorrow in our office where I get great data rates, for the sake of curiosity.

Hope that helps,
Tomasz

View solution in original post

Asta-Noor · 3 weeks ago

The numbers you’re seeing on 2.4GHz (35–40 Mbps with occasional drops to 10 Mbps) and ~70 Mbps on 5GHz can be considered within a normal range depending on interference, channel width, and AP density. 2.4GHz is especially prone to congestion and performance fluctuations, which also explains the ping spikes you’re seeing between wired and wireless devices. This kind of jitter usually comes from interference, roaming behavior, or airtime contention rather than a hardware fault. Interestingly, in gaming communities, performance scaling matters a lot too—for example in manok na pula max level all chicken, progression and efficiency depend heavily on optimizing resources and timing strategies.

poppyplaytime · 3 weeks ago

What AP model are you using, and how many clients are typically connected to each access point when you’re seeing these speed issues?

Muslim · ‎02-01-2026

It sounds like you’re experiencing typical challenges with 2.4 GHz networks, especially when multiple devices are connected. Many users find that throughput can fluctuate due to interference or distance, while 5 GHz usually offers more stable speeds. One approach I’ve found helpful is optimizing channel selection and testing with tools like iperf for more consistent results. For related tips on simple ways to boost home networking performance, you might also check out Corn Dip with Cream Cheese it’s a surprisingly effective guide for improving device connectivity and minimizing latency spikes.

Laura · ‎11-02-2018

How do i setup an iperf test? Will this measure the speed between an ipad and an access points?

Extreme Networks

General question about throughput and ping ms.

General question about throughput and ping ms.