I just installed Zenwalk on my Asus eee pc 1000he, 2G of memory, dual booted with Windows 7 RC. I wondered how internet speeds would compare between the systems. This is not scientific but by going to www.speedtest.net I ran their test to a server about 50 miles from my location. I ran the test several times on each OS and the results were surprising. Win 7 highest download speed was 15.75 Mb/s while Zenwalk best was 6.62 Mb/s. I wonder what would account for this difference. Both OS were tested on the same router, same location in the house. I did notice the I got a stronger connection with Windows 7 than Zenwalk. I wonder if my ISP is optimized for windows over linux. I doubt that because the internet is run by linux. Are there any tweeks that can be done to linux to improve performance? Zenwalk runs fine on my system. It is quick and I like it, but with such a big difference in wifi speed I think I will be doing most of my surfing in windows.

First of all, it would be a huge mistake to surf the internet with Windows!

Second, what type connection do you have and do you know what speeds you're actually suppose to be getting? Many times, and I really don't think this has changed with Windows, it will give you a false reading. I remember when testing Windows with dial-up modems, it would give the speeds that you set up for the modem, but not the actual speed. You have to remember Windows uses perception to deceive the user. If you perceive that it's faster you're likely to believe it really is, but the fact is it can't be.

Don't know your location, but normal Cable speeds here in the USA are much faster than ADSL connections. But most Cable connections here run from about 2Mbps to 10Mbps and the ADSL runs only about 6Mbps tops. Now across the pond, I think the roles may be switched. So you see, the speed you're getting from Linux is very likely more accurate. I never believe anything Windows shows me.

Hope that helps

Bandipat, he did the speed test on a website, not using a MS tool. The website measures the time it takes to download and upload a file of known size. There fore his speed measurements are accurate and reasonably reliable. I tested my download speeds both on a Xp machine and a ZW machine and actually got around the same performance (`2.4 – 2.5 Mbps)
Did you know that Verizon Fios offers speed up to 20Mbps and now AT&T Uvers is up to 18 Mbps. A wrong conclusion, based on unverified and biased assumptions.
cybough, from what i see , everything in your test setup is the same (internet connection, the router, computer, wireless hardware) except for the wireless driver. That where I would look for problem. Find out what wireless chip-set is being used and the driver being loaded by ZW and post it here, then maybe someone will come along and have some ideas as to what could be the problem. There is a possibility that the Linux driver is actually inferior to the Windows driver.

Thanks for your comments. The wifi hardware used by my particular model of the eee pc 1000he is:
Network controller: Atheros Communications Inc. AR928X Wireless Network Adapter (PCI-Express) (rev 01)
The driver is ath9k and is included in kernel 2.6.28.xx and up. I agree that this is a problem with the linux driver and not specific to Zenwalk. Anyone a driver expert? I use comcast broadband and the average for them according to www.speedtes.net is above 13 Mb/s. However, I have never had a file down load anything close to that speed.

Check in the Asus web site for any driver avail for linux. Or google up for any better drivers there or ever do a bit of reasearch or google search about the driver speed u have. May be some 1 some where is also found out the problem and discussing.

I understand he did the test on a website, as we use to do with dial-up modems way back when those were popular, but website or not, Windows tends to deceive the user with the readings given. Of that part, I'm sure. Now whether it did in his case, I can't say, I'm just mentioning my past experiences.




You might be able to get a T1 line or better with those speeds, but I've never gotten a Verizon or AT&T offer for those speeds from ADSL! Even after talking with their people when they called to get me to change services have they been able to match my cable speeds, which also don't go that high! Again, USA speeds seem to be somewhat lower in regards to Europe and assorted other countries.


It's true that the ath9k is the newest from Atheros, so it's possible they haven't gotten all the bugs out for the Linux driver. Since Atheros has gone opensource for their hardware, it's indeed included in the kernel now, so I doubt they cripple the Linux driver in favor of the Windows one. I have Atheros wifi in my laptop and I get the same speeds throughout Windows Vista and Linux, but Windows doesn't always show the correct speeds. So you see, I have done a bit of testing for both as well.

cybrough,
Since you mention Comcast, that threw up a red flag. They've been investigated and complained about for some time now with their questionable "service"! If I were you, I would check the service on their site or call a rep to see just what you are paying for in cable service. My feelings are very doubtful they are giving you over 7-8Mbps speeds as they've been one of the most restrictive providers in the USA, plus metering their users so they can charge more for heavy users. I think you may still find that the Linux readings are closer than you think.

I did some goggling tonight night and it seems to me that there are some issues with the ath9k driver. Here's a link to a bug report that seems to be somewhat consistent with your problem. http://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=13141
BandPat, just because the service is not available to you doesn't mean it not available elsewhere is the US
Verizon FiOS - http://www22.verizon.com/residential/fi ... /Plans.htm
AT&T U-verse - http://www.att-services.net/att-high-sp ... ernet.html

I never said it wasn't available, if you're willing to pay the price for it, but I am saying that 9.5 people out of 10 don't get it! Normal sign up speeds under $50 per month fees and Comcast are 10Mbps or less. Comcast may charge more than $50 and still give less, but that's not important. I use Earthlink and get at least 10Mbps, while Road Runner gives about 8, so you can kinda see the trend. ADSL is even slower! I just got a mailer from AT&T for their Extreme ADSL today! Guess what they consider extreme? 6Mbps!

My guess is still that he got a more accurate reading with Linux than Windows and the ath9k is working better than you think with Linux.

If it was the driver, could you use ndiswrapper with the windows driver to test if you got the same speeds using that? Or is ndiswrapper a generally bad idea? Theres something about using a windows driver on linux that just seems wrong