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For short-range testing, the router is optimized for maximum throughput when the client is 10
to 15 feet away from the router. At closer distances, speed measurements may lead to some
lowering of performance due to over-saturation, because the client is receiving too much WiFi
power.
Note:
Due to the new WiFi Alliance certification rules regarding the 2.4 GHz frequency, the connection is
allowed to channel bond and go to 450 Mbps maximum link rate only where there are no other
interfering access points nearby. In presence of other WiFi access points, the router and the clients will
go down to 20 Mbps mode with maximum link speed of 195 – 217 Mbps.
2. WAN to LAN Speed
The methodology for running WAN to LAN Speed test is explained below. For the CENTRIA, TCP and UDP
performance in both downlink and uplink directions are in the 400-550 Mbps range.
3. Simultaneous Session test
When both Wi-Fi networks (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) are connected to clients and passing network traffic at
the same time, the router CPU is usually the bottleneck as it has to process multiple streams of 802.11n
traffic. This test is recommended at close range, within 5 to 7 feet, to ensure highest throughput in each
frequency bands and measure total WiFi performance and stress test the CPU.
4. Plug and Play USB hard drive access
Accessing a USB hard drive connected to the CENTRIA is plug-and-play – simply connect the USB hard
drive to the CENTRIA and immediately access as if the drive were a Networked Attached Storage (NAS)
device. There is no need for configuration or software installation.
Simply type \\readyshare at Start -> Run when a PC is connected to the CENTRIA, either wired or
wirelessly. The methodology NETGEAR uses to test USB access performance is highlighted below.
5. Links to Download Software
The following section highlights useful content, information and links for reviewing the product.
Iperf, an industry-standard tool for WiFi performance testing, is available free of charge through the
following website:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/iperf/
IxChariot, another industry-standard network analysis tool can be purchased from Ixia:
http://www.ixchariot.com/
6. Suggested Test Setup
The following diagram shows how the router and the wireless clients are set up. To test the different
scenarios, with and without interference, with several clients associated to the router in each mode, it is
