Can Wi-Fi extenders cause spiked ping?

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subasini

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I've installed a wifi extender (used another router) around 7 days ago on the 2nd floor and since 3-4 days ago my ping has been spiking around certain times to 1300+

Could this be because my family's using the wifi from the 2nd router?

Pinging google.com reports ~30 ms average.
Using tracert on google.com reports ~1k avg. when spikes are happening
 
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RealBeast

RealBeast

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If you attached the second router with an Ethernet cable and are using it as an AP it could either be everyone is connecting to the AP or the radio channels overlap and are causing interference.

Exactly how did you attach and configure the 2nd device?

How many other users in close proximity and what kind of uses (gaming, video streaming, etc.)?

Did you use the same SSID and passkey or different so you can control access?
 
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subasini

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Mark RM - not sure, although what I've noticed is that my download speed is completely normal.

RealBeast - Attached using Ethernet. I'm the only one using my router via cable (gaming), and there's 2 of them using the 2nd router's WiFi, just normal use.

Different SSID/passkey

One more thing - speedtest.net detects low ping (20ms - same as pinging with cmd) but that's not true.
 
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subasini

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Yeah, static AP address - and yes, outside the DHCP IP range.

I'm not sure what the AP's gateway is, I can check later, but I believe that it's different.

I've also re-installed my LAN driver and the ping is good (atleast for now) - might be just because it threw them offline.
 
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RealBeast

RealBeast

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The AP address will be different from the main router gateway address (for example the AP could be 192.168.0.2 if the main router gateway address is 192.168.0.1) but you also enter the main router gateway address into the AP to direct it where to send packets that are not connected to the AP wired or wireless.
 
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RealBeast

RealBeast

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Didn't sound like a driver problem, but a network problem that you need to systematically troubleshoot. To verify that simply remove the AP and insert a switch to see that your computer will connect as it did previously. Then you can concentrate on the AP setup as the problem point. In place of a switch you can simply use an Ethernet cable connector.

 
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bill001g

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What happens if you connect your pc directly to the cable without the second router in the path.

When you plug into the lan ports of your remote router (AP) it should act as a simple switch. In effect it should connect the 2 cable together as if you you used a long cable. It should be completely transparent.

 
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RealBeast

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But as both bill001g and I recommended, did you take the AP out of the network and test without it?

You really need to systematically test and not just try using it on different sites, that won't tell you anything.

You can also try just turning off the radio on the AP to use it as a switch.

More information would help, what model is the AP router? And what settings did you on the AP router?

Most likely it is an issue with the settings used but the device could be faulty, although I think that less likely.
 
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subasini

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As I said, if I disconnect the AP my ping is normal.

What do you mean by turning off the radio? How do I do that?

>"And what settings did you on the AP router?" -- I'm not sure what you mean by that, you're missing some words.

What should I change in the AP router's gateway settings?
 
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RealBeast

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With a computer attached by wire to the AP router just type in its IP address and password in a browser on that computer to enter the configuration pages of the AP. From there you can alter any settings as needed. I assume that is how you initially set up the AP router, no?

Under wireless options, depending on the brand and model, there is usually a check box to enable (or if unchecked disable) the device radio and if dual band they are separate settings.

Sorry about the truncated answer, I seem to be having issues with typing in messages at TH the past few days, my ISP I expect and I will endeavor to check them. I was trying to get you to give a list of the specific configuration changes that you made when setting up the AP.

 
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subasini

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Thanks for the help Beast - I think I might be switching providers soon -- going from cable internet to fiber optic, few more bucks for way higher internet speeds (from 10/0.768 to 100/40). Hopefully the WiFi range increases so I won't have to use another router.
 
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