NETGEAR Nighthawk X6 Reviewer's Manual page 31

sub-brands. Note that Wi-Fi speed will not just depend on the Wi-Fi router, but also on the
speed of the laptop CPU.

For testing with IxChariot scripts, use IxChariot software version 4.3 or higher or later from
NetIQ on each of two computers. The IxChariot console should be on one computer and the
IxChariot endpoint on the other computer.

Standard Ethernet cable from the router to the computer that is running the IxChariot endpoint.
9. Throughput Consistency
Test the throughput variance to see how consistently the client can receive optimum speeds. NETGEAR
advises verifying the throughput in the following scenarios:

Distance: from short (15 feet with line of sight) to long (for instance, from one corner to another
corner of the house through multiple walls)

Orientation (0 to 270 deg)

Frequency channel: Do a quick site survey on 2.4 GHz and pick up the cleanest channel, which
has other APs at the lowest signal strength.

Use Metageek inSSIDer for channel scan.

Laptop or PC used for the client adapter (Apple, Lenovo, Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc.)

Level of obstruction (line of site, number of walls, wall composition, residential home floor plan,
etc.)
10. Level of Obstruction in Different Environments
Obstructions to line of sight may be present in a home. To limit the amount of signal loss, check
throughput in several locations within the home, using open space wherever possible to prevent a direct
obstruction. Note any metal sheets or panels, chicken wire inside the walls, etc., might create
obstructions for wireless signals.
11. Running IxChariot and Iperf Scripts
IxChariot and Iperf scripts are described in the following sections.

Set TCP or UDP. For experimental purposes, UDP provides a better representation of video
streaming traffic. With UDP, throughput will increase because it does not incorporate an
acknowledgement protocol as TCP does.

Set Random file. For experimental purposes, send a text file, an HTML file, or a binary or
compressed file. With binary or compressed files, throughput may increase due to effective
compression.

Set the file size to 1MB for short and medium ranges when throughput is higher than about 3
Mbps. For long range, set the file size to 100 KB to accelerate the response time of IxChariot. If
you use 100 KB files at short to medium range, throughput could be reduced 10 percent due to
poor file packetization.

Start with 30 to 60 second test time. A good compromise between fast measurement and
providing enough averaging and accuracy is 30 seconds.

Test the AP to client (downlink), client to AP (uplink) and both uplink and downlink
(bidirectional). Set up and run IxChariot scripts as described below.
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