Siemens SpeedStream Powerline 802.11b Wireless Access Point

Performance of Siemens SpeedStream Powerline 802.11b Wireless Access Point

In CNET Labs' tests, the Siemens SpeedStream 2521 power-line AP configuration utility moved data packets just as fast as Ethernet-based access points and, in many cases, even faster. One caveat: Because devices on a power-line network share bandwidth, your throughput will slow as you add access points. The SpeedStream 2521's range also pleasantly surprised us. Although the access point uses an 802.11b CompactFlash card with a small built-in, omnidirectional antenna, it performed almost as well as other access points with much larger antennae. We managed to maintain a connection at distances of 85 feet in our indoor testing environment. But if the range proves inadequate, just grab the access point and plug it into an outlet closer to your wireless-enabled computer.

Chariot 802.11b throughput tests Measured in Mbps (longer bars indicate better performance)

Agere Systems Orinoco AP-200 5.0  Siemens SpeedStream 2521 power-line 802.11b wireless access point 4.9  Belkin wireless network access point 4.7  D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+ (11Mbps mode) 4.7

 

Chariot 802.11b response time Measured in milliseconds (shorter bars indicate better performance)

Belkin wireless network access point 2.0  D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+ (11Mbps mode) 2.0  Agere Systems Orinoco AP-200 3.0  Siemens SpeedStream 2521 power-line 802.11b wireless access point 5.0

 

Range test Relative performance in typical office setting (measured in feet; longer bars indicate better performance)

SmartBridges AirPointPro 131  Netgear MR814 802.11b cable/DSL wireless router 111  3Com OfficeConnect wireless cable/DSL gateway 96  Siemens SpeedStream 2521 power-line 802.11b wireless access point 85  Linksys WAP54G Wireless-G access point 85

 
For practical throughput tests, CNET Labs uses NetIQ's Chariot 4.3 software as its benchmark. For wireless testing, the clients and routers are set up to transmit at short ranges and at maximum signal strength. CNET Labs' response-time tests are also run with Chariot software using the TCP protocol. Response time measures how long it takes to send a request and receive a response over a network connection. Throughput and response time are probably the two most important indicators of user experience over a network. For more details on how we test networking devices, see the CNET Labs site.