Windows 10: Yet another gigabit ethernet issue

I can assume that it's your cable. It could be possible that its your router instead, but if Ubuntu gets 1 Gbps, then it probably isn't. Try getting a new cable or re-configuring the ethernet setup at your house. It could be possible that Windows begins to detect data loss over a long distance transfer and drops to 100 mbps to stabilize the connection and prevent that data loss, which means that Ubuntu just doesn't care whether or not data is lost. My PC is rated for 1 gbps as well, though I can only get 100 mbps. This is due to my router being ISP provided and the PLC wall socket being total garbage. If your router is ISP issued you could be experiencing similar issues, though I highly doubt it. I can only get my 100 mbps due to the router's poor IP management and poor signal prioritization (meaning that the cable DVRs get the highest priority on the network, then wireless devices, then wired devices). But if I switch to gigabit wireless, I drop to 72 mbps (theoretical speed if router was unrestricted), again due to the router having limited speeds for certain devices (max supported speed to the DVRs, 17 mbps to wireless devices, 10 mbps to wired devices). There are also limitations on cables that can cause issues. If you have a CAT5e, good luck getting 1 gbps on any OS. CAT6 and CAT7 have lower chances of losing data at gigabit speeds as they came later so you might get better chances of getting gigabit speeds.

 

Better driver that is more stable, then the one that Windows 10 loads is why. You do not have to change out any plugs or cables, if the Linux distro is keeping the 1 gbps connection alive.

Realtek chipsets have lousy Windows drivers is all that it comes down to.

 

The OP does not need to swap out cables. The driver that Linux uses in the Kernel, is a lot more stable then the one that Windows loads, along with the Realtek drivers are not always the best for Windows 10 for most Realtek chipsets, since they are just taking Windows 7 drivers and making minor changes in the code to allow the drivers to run in Windows 10.

 

Interesting on how I have rock solid gigabit connections on several computers using those bad realtek chipsets and Windows 10 drivers.

 

Thanks for your opinions. As I pointed out, I almost found the weak chain. I think it is my Belkin ethernet cable. (This one) It is 5 meters long CAT 5e cable which can't sustain gigabit connection. I have two other 3 meters long cat 5e cables but unfortunately their length is inadequate. Interestingly the shorter cables can handle gigabit connections. I am guessing the cable I have is not good enough. I will order a new cable and will share the results once it has been delivered. In the meantime, I also ordered this wireless adapter to be able to connect to 5Ghz wireless network of the router. It's a shame that my notebook does not support 5Ghz networks. 1pcs Wholesale Store 5G Wireless Dual Band AC600 433Mbps 802.11AC USB Wi Fi Network Adapter-in Network Cards from Computer Office on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

 

Hi there

I've actually had the same issue on W10. Strangely enough W10 on a VM with a Linux Host gives the full 1GB transfer - no prob at all with CENTOS HOST with the full 1GB -- I really don't think this is a cable issue but needs some settings I suspect in the Network adapter.

I can see the change as the Green light on the Lan port (1GB) changes to Yellow (100 Mb) on Native Windows.
I don't use Long bits of LAN cable any more but I did have the problem in the past --although Linux seemed to be able to handle it.

Since I usually use Windows on a VM where the problem doesn't arise I'll leave the solution to those more experienced than me, I would check all those obscure parameters in Network adapter properties. -Take notes before changing so if you hose it up you can set it all back again.

In my experience unless the connectors are broken Cables very rarely are the cause of a problem - they either work 100% or 0% !!! -- Don't be mislead into buying hideously expensive cable --especially for short runs --I've seen stores in the UK convincing people to pay almost 100GBP / 130 EUR for an HDMI cable !!!!! -- the el cheapo ones work fine for normal lengths !!!!!!!. I even use one of those "expandable" ones you pill out of a reel -- thin - and never had slightest problem with Ultra 4k HD !!!!.



You mention things like 5Metres of cable --once you get into long runs then all bets are off as any cable will be lossy. Probably Linux handles the Signal Loss better- just don't know.

@erdihu

If your Notebook can't use 5GHZ networks have you thought of using a WIFI-->ethernet Bridge -- set an old (5GHZ capable) router to connect to your main router Wirelessly in WIFI-Ethernet Bridge mode and then simply connect a short piece of LAN cable to your laptop from the Ethernet Bridge router. You usually can connect 4 ports to a router. If your Broadband is fast enough this method has a technical Max capability of 433 Mb/s -- more than fast enough for most things, I use this method for running TWO NAS boxes as they are situated a long way from my cable router and I don't want long bits of LAN cable all over the house.

If your spare router doesn't natively have an Ethernet Wifi bridge mode you might be able to fix an older router by using DD-WRT

www.dd-wrt.com | Unleash Your Router

(Also running Wifi adapters on most Linux distros is messy --my NAS boxes (actually using HP gen 8 Microservers) both have two ethernet ports each so seems silly not to use them !!!!).

I'm surprised more people don't do this as the price of a cheap router is probably cheaper than cost of installing LAN cable all over your house --and it certainly keeps odd boxes away from Living room etc. I really don't want TWO NAS boxes running under my main TV !!!!. When I'm relaxing I don't even want to THINK about computers !!!.


Cheers
jimbo

 

Believe it or not, there is a difference between CAT 5e and CAT 6. They don't come up with new standards for no reason at all. That's like saying it doesn't matter if it is a USB 2 port or a USB 3 port, USB either works or it doesn't. Windows will likely be more sensitive to a lesser quality network signal because Microsoft sets standards for performance. Who sets the standards for performance for Linux?

One must remember - there is a whole lot more to network performance than just what the connection speed is. The quality of the connection matters just as much.

 

Hi there

A lot of those expensive grade cables are used in commercial offices / centres where you have LONG runs, a load of other electrical equipment which could cause interference without decent shielding,heat considerations, vastly different load factors etc.

Top end cable like that would be grossly overkill -- like using electric transmission line (pylon) cable for internal electrical wiring in a home.

For short runs - especially < 5 metres or even < 10 metres - cheaper cable should work just fine in a normal home.

I would still suggest looking at the Wifi-Ethernet Bridge idea as you can use the latest 5GHZ wifi bandwidth and with really fast wifi speeds your computer would probably get just as good results on your LAN as if everything was connected by LAN cable.

Even copying several GB of data files over this type of connection would be as good as LAN anyway -- while 433 MBit/s isn't 1 GBit/s you are unlikely to see any difference -- the bus speed of your computer would limit transfer speeds in any case especially via USB connections (whether USB 2 or USB 3). SSD to SSD over this type of connection is just fine too --I do this regularly.

As an example copying a Movie (approx 4GB in size) from a laptop external (portable self powered - "passport type") USB 3 HDD to NAS box via this type of connection - copy rate is around 101 Mbits /sec. Copying from the same laptop's SSD to the USB 3 external HDD directly connected -- rate is 131 Mbits/sec.

Copying from Laptops SSD to NAS HDD over same connection is around 160 - 270 Mbits/sec -- varies a bit - average over 200 Mbit/sec though.

I'm happy with that type of performance.

When I was using LAN all the way through (no Ethernet-Wifi bridge) I was getting identical speed of around 100 Mbits/sec - so having completely wired LAN all round offers me ZERO advantages.

For homes these days Wired LAN should be going the way of the Dodo.

Note of course this pre-supposes you have decent broadband in your area.

You can also use the 2.4GHZ band but the speed won't be as fast -- I think around 300 Mbits/sec is the maximum on a 2.4GHZ network with current protocols --should still be plenty fast enough for normal purposes.

Finally It took me less than 3 hours to upload nearly 3TB of Movies / TV episodes to my NAS box with this connection -- 3TB is a LOT of data to transfer over a HOME network using Wireless especially done the old fashioned way!!!

Best thing I ever did on Networking was to get rid of loads of LAN cable and go for the Wifi Bridge !!!. "She who must be obeyed.." !!! was happy too with me removing boxes out of TV room and loads of cables. That alone made the exercise worth it.

Cheers
jimbo

 

Like I've said already. I've made a 6ft patch cable with cheap Chinese wire marked as Cat 5e that would only connect at 100 Meg on an otherwise rock solid gigabit network even though all 8 lights lit up on the tester. But, whatever. All I know is how I got my devices and hubs to connect at Gigabit speeds.

And we have to remember, none of us have actually seen the network infrastructure we are talking about. So none of us can say with 100% certainty what the problem is or is not.

 

NavyLCDR, I have up to 30' of Cat-5e runs in my house and have no issues with 1000 mbps connections between switches and A/P's. So I highly doubt that it is a cable issue. More of an adapter and driver issue.

Cat-5e works fine with 1000 mbps. Cat-6 if you are talking of going with 10 gbps, which no one that I know of, is going to pay that much in equipment, unless they happen to be doing live broadcasts out to the world on a Fiber connection from their home.

 

How exactly do you know what quality cable erdihu has at his/her location? What quality connectors are on that cable? Yes, good quality Cat 5e with decent connectors will support gigabit speed. $.03 / ft stranded crap cable from China marked as Cat 5e that comes coiled up in a plastic bag with a zip lock baggie of connectors won't.

Now, back to my original question....how can you POSSIBLY comment on the quality of the cables and connectors at the location in question and make the judgement that it likely isn't the cable when you haven't even seen it?

There are millions of Realtek chip based network adapters out there running on Windows on gigabit networks with no issues at all.

 

Hear, hear, NavyLCDR. Couldn't agree more.

All "cat 5e" is not made equal. Like you say, cheap Chinese "5e" cable just cannot be relied upon to go Gb. I ordered 2 x 20 metre so-called 5e cables from a local auction site and they would only do 100 Mb. The supplier replaced them with cat 6 cables and all was well.

Oh, yes, I have Realtek NICs with Realtek drivers! Woe is me - not.

 

So, here's what I found since my last post here.
After started using a CAT6 cable, I had a more stabile gigabit connection. However, I noticed that when I move the cable/laptop a bit the connection dropped down to 100Mbps again.
I remembered that few months after I bought this laptop, my ethernet card broke down and Dell has replaced it by sending a techinican to my home. I suspect that there is some kind of connection problem with the daughter board (where ethernet chip is on) and the mother board. Or it can be that they have used a bad daughter board. I am not an electrician so I did not open it up. So this specific issue is only related to bad quality parts/inadequate technicians which Dell is using.
I just wanted to drop this here in case one day someone may find this from Google.