Question Speed Issues with Unmanaged Network Switch Help!

[ruku7795]

Here is my issue: I have Spectrum ISP, I get 300mbps download, the standard speed for them in my area. I just recently realized that I am not getting above 100mbps on my machines that are connected via ethernet cable. I've verified with my ISP that connect from them is perfectly fine according to their system. It is worth mentioning that I have both their router and modem. I use to use a nighthawk but it was very old and didn't work with some of my devices due to age. I have narrowed my issue down to using unmanaged network switches. I first noticed the issue with my TP-Link TL-SG105. Which I bought in 2022, not really that old honestly. I made sure my network priority was set up to be 1 Gb so that the speeds wouldn't be limited to anything from my computers. I've swapped out numerous cables and even swapped out the switch to a NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Plus Switch (GS305E) still receiving the same issues. I am not sure what else to do about my issue. Any help would be appreciated. Below are some of the solutions I've tried.

-Going into Ethernet Controller and making sure Speed & Duplex is at max value of 2.5 GBSP Full Duplex. I've tried swapping this to auto to see if this fixed it. No luck.
-I've swapped out all the cables. Three of my Pc's are having this issue. No VPN is being used.
-I've swapped out Switches from TP-Link TL-SG105 to a Netgear 5-port gigabit plus switch Model GS305E. Speeds still the same and I configured the port speeds on the net gear to put out the full amount of speed. Speed setting is at 100M Full.
- I did notice a issue with using the cable testing feature on admin page of the netgear switch. Its stating a Mismatch at cable fault distance (meters) at first 3 meters then 2 meters after I swapped out cables. Not sure if this is the issue that needs resolving but I tried and nothing worked.
-unplugging and replugging back in both devices.
-Resetting both router and modem and confirmed with ISP that the issue isn't with their connections.

 

[faalin]

I would first plug a computer directly into the modem and see what speeds your getting. Next plug it into your 5 port switch, if your not getting the same speed i would replace the cable between the modem and switch.

Try to get something that is solid copper and 24 gauge, CAT5e will be fine or you could move to CAT6 or CAT6a. Stay away from slim cables, flat cables, or anything that says CCU (copper clad aluminum)

 

[ruku7795]

I would first plug a computer directly into the modem and see what speeds your getting. Next plug it into your 5 port switch, if your not getting the same speed i would replace the cable between the modem and switch.

Try to get something that is solid copper and 24 gauge, CAT5e will be fine or you could move to CAT6 or CAT6a. Stay away from slim cables, flat cables, or anything that says CCU (copper clad aluminum)

So I did plug the computer directly into the modem. I am getting the proper speeds at that point alone. I am however using a 100ft flat cat 6 cable. They're not recommended? Could you recommend a cable to me if you don't mind?

I will try your suggestion of swapping out the cable coming from the router to the switch.

These are the cables I am using. Mind you I used one of these cables to directly plug into my pc via the router.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R399S6K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WD017BG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[faalin]

Both those cables are flat cables and should not be used.

Cat6 for 1GB is rated at 328 feet.

I use these cables for work and range from 1 foot to 150 feet AMAZON Link

 

[lantis3]

Short distance is OK for flat cable. But for long distance you definitely need round cable as mentioned above.

Untwisted flat cable will have a lot more electric interference than a round cable.

Non twisted cable used for phone line has been replaced by twisted cat5e cable in new house (probably more than 10 years already) for a reason (noise reduction).

This is for audio cable. But there are many videos explaining why network cables are twisted too.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y35H3zrKUbc

 

[ruku7795]

Both those cables are flat cables and should not be used.

Cat6 for 1GB is rated at 328 feet.

I use these cables for work and range from 1 foot to 150 feet AMAZON Link

So I tried using a different round cable entirely plug into the router to the switch and got the same low speeds. I ordered these cables you recommended but I am not sure cables are the issue now.

This is the cable I used to swap out the flat cable.

amazon link cables

 

[lantis3]

Check if your NIC is really running at 1Gbps, not 100Mbps by checking switch's LED colors

If not, try to set your PC NIC's speed at 1GBps , not Auto Negotiation and see what happens.

 

[ruku7795]

Check if your NIC is really running at 1Gbps, not 100Mbps by checking switch's LED colors

If not, try to set your PC NIC's speed at 1GBps , not Auto Negotiation and see what happens.

Sorry I am not super familiar with this. Is this correct?

https://postimg.cc/5XXDQrsF

 

[lantis3]

Sorry I am not super familiar with this. Is this correct?

https://postimg.cc/5XXDQrsF

Yes. That's where you set speed. But since you only have gigabit switch, you should set it at 1Gbps, not 2.5Gbps

 

[ruku7795]

Yes. That's where you set speed. But since you only have gigabit switch, you should set it at 1Gbps, not 2.5Gbps

Unfortunately no change happened with my speed.

 

[lantis3]

So what's your speed now at www.speedtest.net?

 

[ruku7795]

So what's your speed now at www.speedtest.net?

https://postimg.cc/4KXTjPJL

 

[lantis3]

Your modem or gateway model?

 

[ruku7795]

Your modem or gateway model?

Its a spectrum modem. The one that is capable of 1gb.

 

[lantis3]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Spectrum/comments/11ec7pf/signal_levels/

see if you can find info like above in your modem/gateway and post here. I'm not modem/gateway expert. Hope someone else can help.

I really suspect that you have a modem/gateway problem.
==
You can test network performance if you have 2 PCs or 1 PC + 1 laptop using iperf3 to see if there is any issue locally.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE3MsbTP_G4

 

[USAFRet]

Short distance is OK for flat cable.

Sometimes.

 

[lantis3]

Sometimes.

I use several flat cables shorter than 15ft without problems.

 

[ruku7795]

Anyone else have any ideas as to what to do about this situation? I'm not sure how my modem would factor into why my speeds are bad on my switch(s). Spectrum modem speeds are fine and at their perfect speed.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Anyone else have any ideas as to what to do about this situation? I'm not sure how my modem would factor into why my speeds are bad on my switch(s). Spectrum modem speeds are fine and at their perfect speed.

You're only left with the switch and/or cables. Set everything ethernet related to auto (duplex, speed, etc.) and leave it alone, then test every combination of port and cable. Your problem is somewhere in there. And as said elsewhere, ditch all of those flat cables. They do not meet specs and will cause problems.