Testing method

TechTV Labs tested each wireless router on a notebook equipped with a 3Com Wireless PC Card with XJACK Antenna. We chose not to test with wireless network adapters matching the manufacturer because the environment would be a best-case scenario and not necessarily a characteristic of the real world. Many modern notebooks come with integrated wireless, so a mixed environment is even more likely.

We used QCheck from NetIQ to determine the throughput between two nodes on a network with a 1MB file. We also used QCheck to test the data rate of a 1-Mbps data stream and the amount of data lost during a 30-second transmission.

Throughput

The average throughput was surprisingly consistent among all the routers in our roundup. The D-Link 614+ is the only implementation of the new Texas Instruments chipset that offers theoretical throughput up to 22 Mbps (6 to 7 Mbps in reality) when mated with an AirPlus PC card.

Streaming

The most interesting results were found in the streaming portion of our tests, where the D-Link showed the best results. More importantly, the D-Link showed an average of only 15 percent data loss compared to the closest competitor, the NetGear with 22 percent. Belkin's wireless router showed the worst results, losing 44 percent of the data streamed.

After much deliberation in the Lab, we decided to skip range testing. The environment, specifically building construction and other electromagnetic interference, can significantly affect 802.11b and any other wireless technology.

Our advice is to be skeptical and expect the range to be 50 to 70 percent of the manufacturers' claims.

Results

Router	Netgear 802.11b Wireless Router MR314	Belkin Wireless Cable/DSL Router	Actiontec Wireless-Ready Cable/DSL Router	Linksys Wireless Access Point Router BEFW11S4	D-Link AirPlus Router DI-614+	Apple AirPort 2
Average Throughput (Mbps)	4.876	4.783	4.8	4.989	4.951	4.776
Streaming	.575	.438	.534	.502	.602	.534
Percent Data Loss	22	44	28.9	34.8	15.2	31.4