Tag: performance

Why You Should Connect Your Smart Devices to a Separate WiFi Network

In the era of smart homes and interconnected devices, transforming a mundane living space into a technological haven is easier than ever. Smart speakers, thermostats, and robotic vacuum cleaners offer convenience and efficiency. However, with the increasing number of devices in our homes, it’s crucial to consider the potential drawbacks, particularly concerning security and network performance. One effective solution is to connect your smart devices to a separate WiFi network. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this recommendation and the benefits it brings to users.

Enhanced Security Precautions

The foremost reason to connect smart home devices to a separate network is security. While smart devices provide numerous advantages, they can also pose significant risks if not adequately protected. Instances of hackers gaining control over baby-monitoring cameras or smart speakers have been reported, leading to privacy breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information. By isolating smart devices on a separate network, users create an additional layer of protection, minimizing the potential impact of security breaches on personal computers and laptops.

Isolate Devices from the Rest of Your Network

Simply creating a separate SSID for your smart devices is not enough. Using VLANs to isolate your smart devices from the rest of your network is advised for further protection. This means devices cannot communicate with devices on separate networks. It ensures that if something affects the smart devices, it has less of an opportunity to affect your personal devices. VLANs can be set up for both wired and wireless devices, giving you the flexibility to protect any connection on your network. 

Protection Against Digital Intruders

Digital invaders can exploit seemingly harmless smart devices to wreak havoc. Imagine a scenario where a skilled hacker gains control of a smart speaker, leading to unauthorized access or even a denial-of-service attack on connected devices. By segregating smart devices from personal networks, users reduce the risk of such incidents and safeguard their valuable information from falling into the wrong hands.

Reduced Network Congestion

As the number of smart devices in homes continues to rise, so does the risk of network congestion. A single individual might have a handful of devices, but those committed to creating a smart home could easily have over ten. When too many devices share the same network, it leads to low bandwidth and slow internet speeds. This is particularly problematic when using devices that operate on a 2.4GHz network, which supports a limited number of channels. Connecting smart devices to a separate network ensures that they don’t compete for bandwidth with personal computers, laptops, and smartphones, resulting in a smoother and more responsive network.

Optimized Performance for Smart Devices

Smart devices often rely on a stable and fast internet connection for optimal performance. By dedicating a separate network to these devices, users ensure that their smart speakers, thermostats, and other gadgets operate seamlessly without interruptions caused by network congestion. This can significantly enhance the overall user experience, making smart homes more efficient and enjoyable.

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What is SD-WAN and How is it Beneficial? 

These days organizations rely heavily on their network infrastructure to communicate with customers, partners, and employees. However, managing a network can be a complex and time-consuming process, especially when dealing with multiple branch locations, data centers, and cloud services. This is where SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) can be helpful. SD-WAN is a networking technology that utilizes multiple WAN connections. There is software that essentially defines which WAN connection traffic on your network should use. This allows businesses to connect their various locations and services in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. 

Improved Network Performance

SD-WAN can automatically route traffic over the most optimal path, improving network performance and minimizing latency. It does this by analyzing network traffic and selecting the best path based on factors such as bandwidth availability, network congestion, and link quality. This ensures that critical applications receive the bandwidth they need to function effectively, while less critical applications are routed over lower-priority paths.

Increased Agility

SD-WAN simplifies network management and makes it easier to make changes to the network quickly and easily. With SD-WAN, network administrators can manage their WAN using software and automation. This reduces the need for manual configuration and management. Deploying new applications and services is made easier, as well as making changes to the network on the fly.

Cost Savings

SD-WAN allows organizations to reduce their reliance on expensive MPLS circuits and leverage more affordable broadband internet services. This is achieved by using multiple transport technologies – such as broadband, 4G/5G, and MPLS – to create a hybrid network that can be dynamically adjusted to meet bandwidth and performance needs. This not only decreases costs but also provides organizations with more flexibility when it comes to selecting their network infrastructure.

SD-WAN In Use

SD-WAN can be used in a number of different applications. It does not matter if you only have one user or multiple. In situations where you need the best network performance and reliability possible, look for a SD-WAN solution. Here are some common use cases for SD-WAN:

  • Connecting branch offices: SD-WAN allows organizations to connect their remote branch offices to their main network without the need for expensive dedicated connections. This can be achieved by leveraging low-cost broadband internet connections and using SD-WAN to intelligently route traffic over the most optimal path.
  • Cloud connectivity: With the increasing use of cloud services, SD-WAN provides a secure and reliable way to connect to cloud applications and services. It can optimize traffic routing and ensure that users have access to the most suitable and high-performing cloud resources.
  • Security: SD-WAN offers enhanced security features such as end-to-end encryption, next-generation firewalls, and intrusion prevention systems. This ensures that the traffic flowing over the network is secure and protected from cyber threats.
  • Application performance: SD-WAN provides organizations with better control over their applications by optimizing traffic routing, prioritizing traffic based on business needs, and providing real-time visibility into network performance.
  • Internet Backup: In the event of a network outage, SD-WAN can also provide failover capabilities. It will automatically route traffic over secondary links and allow critical applications to remain operational. When your primary link reconnects, traffic will be rerouted as needed.

Overall, SD-WAN is a powerful networking technology that can help organizations improve their network performance, reduce costs, and increase agility. By simplifying network infrastructure and automating network management, SD-WAN can free up valuable time and resources for organizations, allowing them to focus on their core business objectives. Whether you need to connect multiple sites, support remote workforces, or provide secure Wi-Fi access to customers, SD-WAN can help simplify management.

If you’re interested in learning more about SD-WAN and how it can benefit your business, contact us today via phone, email, or chat!

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Who is the fastest 5G carrier in the US?

According to the latest report from RootMetrics T-Mobile may have the fastest 5G speeds and greatest 5G availability, but what about reliability?

When measuring only 5G reliability, a different carrier, Verizon, came out on top.

The timing of this testing however, is important to note. 5G performance was done during the second half of 2021. At the start of the New Year, you may recall that Verizon and AT&T were finally able to turn on their new C-Band 5G coverare, which brings faster average speeds to a greater number of people (more than 90 million, according to Verizon). AT&T has only a handful of cities covered at this point.

The RootMetrics report gathered results from tests that were run in 125 of the largest cities in the U.S. In the end, they found T-Mobile had the fastest 5G download speeds in 48 markets, compared to three for Verizon and zero for AT&T. Median download speeds for T-Mobile topped 100 Mbps in more than half the cities RootMetrics tested in. In 26 markets, the speeds topped 200 Mbps.

T-Mobile was also determined to have the best 5G availability. With the highest availability in 83 tested markets, T-Mobile topped AT&T (62 markets) and Verizon (6 markets).

In comparison with 5G reliability, T-Mobile was actually found to have the lowest amount at 19. Verizon had the best in 93 markets, also topping AT&T, which only showed in 67 markets. 

These findings weren’t just determined by RootMetrics either. Their results are right inline with what has been seen from other third party testers. Back in January, OpenSignal published a 5G performance report in which T-Mobile not only had the fastest 5g download speeds, but was 93.9 Mbps faster than its closest rival. T-Mobile also came out on top for availability and reach.

When comparing T-Mobile’s approach to the 5G rollout to that of AT&T and Verizon’s, it’s clear that T-Mobile got ahead by using sub-6GHz spectrum to create a far-reaching 5G nationwide network. The network now reaches more than 310 million people. More recently, they’ve begun using mid-band spectrum — much of it obtained through the merger with Sprint — to boost speeds. T-Mobile calls this their Ultra Capacity 5G service and it covers some 210 million people.

Verizon and AT&T started their 5G journey by concentrating on mmWave-based 5G. This can be very fast, but has a limited range. mmWave-based towers are in select cities. To provide more coverage, but at slower speed, the two carriers use sub-6GHz 5G.

After a few delays and limitations AT&T and Verizon were able to roll out more coverage in January, this time on the faster C-Band spectrum. The higher band spectrum has a wider reach than mmWave, enabling both carriers to reach more people with faster 5G service. In Verizon’s case, they have more than 90 million people being covered with the carrier’s fastest Ultra Wideband 5G. AT&T is rolling out its C-Band 5G, though on a more limited basis currently.

C-Band tests have been done in a number of different locations and already seems to be improving performance for Verizon. Right after C-Band 5G went live, testing firm Ookla published a report claiming that Verizon’s average 5G download speed jumped to 116.3 Mbps from 76.5 Mbps within the course of a week. For comparison, T-Mobile speeds increased from 182 Mbps to 187.1 Mbps in that same time period.

With the recent upgrades and third party tests that have come out, it would seem the leader board is bound to shift by RootMetrics’ next test. Only time will tell!

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T-Mobile Comes Out on Top of OpenSignal’s Latest Report

OpenSignal is known for its mobile analytics. Each year they release a few reports about the major cellular carriers’ networks. They take results gathered from millions of devices, which result in billions of measurements. The latest data gathered, which was collected between September and December of last year, shows T-Mobile is on top once again. 

Analysis was done in 43 states, as well as the capital of Washington, D.C., for each of the carriers strictly on their 5G network experience. The report covered: Availability, Reach, Games Experience, Voice App Experience, Download Speed and Upload Speed. 

T-Mobile was not the only winner though. Verizon also picked up the categories of Games Experience and Voice App Experience. Sadly, for AT&T, they didn’t win any categories, but still presented good results in comparison to its competitors. It’s no wonder given that T-Mobile has not had to deal with the issues surrounding C-Band that AT&T and Verizon have. This service was originally delayed, then limited to certain locations – all because of possible interference with aircraft tools that also work around the C-Band spectrum. 

While Verizon has the best user experience, T-Mobile dominates the speed categories. In fact, they’ve been at the top of the Download Speed category for six times in a row and Upload Speeds for the fifth time in a row. 

T-Mobile also won the Availability and Reach categories. It’s clear their lead on getting mid-band service out to 200 million users was a success. This is what they have dubbed their “Ultra Capacity 5G” service. It relies on the 2.5 Ghz band, so it is unaffected by the FAA concerns that have affected the C-Band. 

Now let’s take a closer look at how all the carriers fared in each category, at the National Analysis level. 

Note that each of the OpenSignal charts listed below have brackets at the end of their respective graphs. These brackets represent confidence intervals. Per OpenSignal, “For every metric we calculate statistical confidence intervals indicated on our graphs. When confidence intervals overlap, our measured results are too close to declare a winner. In those cases, we show a statistical draw. For this reason, some metrics have multiple operator winners. In our bar graphs we represent confidence intervals as boundaries on either sides of graph bars. In our supporting-metric charts we show confidence intervals as +/- numerical values.”

  1. 5G Availability

“Opensignal’s 5G Availability compares the amount of time 5G users spent with an active 5G connection — the higher the percentage, the more time that users on a network were actually connected to 5G.”

The brackets |-| represent confidence intervals.
  1. 5G Reach

“5G Reach represents the proportion of locations where 5G users have connected to 5G out of all the locations those users have visited, on a scale of 0-10. This measure complements our existing 5G Availability metric, which represents the proportion of time 5G users spent connected to 5G.”

The brackets |-| represent confidence intervals.
  1. 5G Games Experience

“Opensignal’s 5G Games Experience measures how mobile users experience real-time multiplayer mobile gaming on an operator’s 5G network. Measured on a scale of 0-100, it analyzes how the multiplayer mobile gaming experience is affected by mobile network conditions including latency, packet loss and jitter.”

The brackets |-| represent confidence intervals.
  1. 5G Voice App Experience

“Opensignal’s 5G Voice App Experience measures the quality of experience for over-the-top (OTT) voice services — mobile voice apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger etc. — when users are connected to a 5G network.”

The brackets |-| represent confidence intervals.
  1. 5G Download Speed

“T-Mobile’s 5G Download Speed continues on its upward trend as our users on the carrier now clock average speeds of 150 Mbps, up from 118.7 Mbps in the previous report. A year ago, using T-Mobile our users saw a 5G Download Speed score of 58.1 Mbps, but it has consistently increased since then due to T-Mobile’s ongoing deployment of 2.5 GHz spectrum. The carrier has been increasing both its population coverage, as well as the amount of spectrum deployed on that band.”

The brackets |-| represent confidence intervals.
  1. 5G Upload Speed

“T-Mobile keeps hold of the 5G Upload Speed award with a score of 17.9 Mbps, which is 1.8 Mbps faster than what our users observed in our October report. Verizon places second in 5G Upload Speed with a score of 14.1 Mbps, which represents a 0.3 Mbps decrease from our previous report, while AT&T’s score increased from 9.7 Mbps to 9.9 Mbps.”

The brackets |-| represent confidence intervals.

Analysis was also done at the regional level, which you’ll see outlined below.

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T-Mobile Wins Big in New Ookla Performance Study

T-Mobile is boasting about its 5G service again, with an announcement that it came out on top in a new Ookla study. This measured things like 5G speed, performance and availability. In the announcement, they added that it would be moving forward with turning on its 5G carrier aggregation (CA), both with 2.5 GHz and 2.5 Ghz combined with 600 MHz. 

Ookla’s nationwide network performance analysis had T-Mobile at the top of all 6 categories. These include: fastest provider, latency, consistency, 5G performance, 5G availability and 5G consistency. Considering the 5G coverage T-Mobile has had in place compared to its competitors, it’s not much surprise they ruled here. This is in part thanks to their ability to rollout coverage on mid-band spectrum that isn’t causing interference risks like the C-Band is for AT&T and Verizon. 

According to an article from FierceWireless, the mid-band spectrum they are using (2.5 GHz), which was acquired from Sprint, provides about 40% faster speeds. Currently, download speeds are running at a top average speed of 187 Mbps nationwide. According to T-Mobile, this is faster than most home WiFi connections, two times faster than Verizon 5G and over 2.5 times faster than AT&T 5G. More importantly, customers were more likely to connect to 5G than Verizon or AT&T customers. Again, this could simply be due to the delays both carriers have experienced with their 5G rollouts. 

With regards to the 5G carrier aggregation, this combines two channels of 2.5 GHz mid-band spectrum for greater speed and capacity. It’s much like bonding in this case, but happens within the one carrier’s network. This should allow for less congestion as there will be more service to go around. 

5G standards set the maximum bandwidth for a sub-6 GHz 5G channel at 100 MHz of spectrum. That is a lot of capacity, but with 5G CA, the operator is able to provide customers with more than 100 MHz of 2.5 GHz Ultra Capacity 5G spectrum, starting with 120 MHz in many places. So, customers in those areas will see a significant boost in speed and performance.

According to T-Mobile, tests have been completed that show 2.5 GHz 5G CA can improve speeds by about 20%. Also, devices reach speeds greater than 100 Mbps twice as often as those without 5G carrier aggregation. In addition, T-Mobile noted that it’s expanded NR CA with 2.5 GHz and 600 MHz to cities across the country.

“These capabilities are live across much of T-Mobile’s network today for customers with the Samsung Galaxy S21 and another popular flagship device, becoming more broadly available – with additional devices – in the coming months,” said a T-Mobile representative.

T-Mobile also highlighted results of record-breaking 5G upload speeds with 5G Dual Connectivity. The test was done by Ericsson and Qualcomm. They found T-Mobile exceeded 1 Gbps on upload – 1005 Mbps, to be precise – by combining 2.5 GHz spectrum with millimeter wave.

“Today’s wins confirm what over a dozen other studies have found in the last year: T-Mobile 5G is #1 in performance and/or coverage,” said T-Mobile President of Technology Neville Ray in a statement. “Our competitors bet on the wrong spectrum for 5G. Now, they’re years behind and scrambling to catch up. We’ll keep blazing ahead, reaching more and more people with Ultra Capacity 5G and spearheading new technologies. This is what you get when you combine the best damn 5G network with the hardest working team in the industry.”

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