Ubuntu – Does the Atheros AR9285 connect at only 65 Mbits/sec

12.04atheroswireless

I have an ASUS K53E laptop, running Ubuntu 12.04. Love it, the only OS so far which doesn't give me problems!

Anyway, my wireless network adapter is pretty much crap. It runs at only 65 Mbit/s, while it can handle 300 Mbit/s. It's an Atheros AR9285.

I googled around, found suggestions of setting the channel and frequency of my router. So set the 5 GHz band to force 40 MHz and Wireless-N, and I set the 2.4 GHz band to choose between 20 and 40 MHz, also forcing Wireless-N. My router is a Cisco Linksys E3200.

When I run a speedtest at speedtest.net, I get 21 MB/s download and an unstable 9 MB/s upload. When downloading an Ubuntu ISO from a local site I get about 2 MB/s download speed, can be a lot better methinks.

Is there another way that I can tune up the speed of this card a bit? Or should I get a replacement (I was looking at the Intel 6235), and if I do so, will Ubuntu recognize it immediately after install or do I have to install some more stuff?
Thanks!

Best Answer

Anyway, my wireless network adapter is pretty much crap.

Amen!

Or should I get a replacement (I was looking at the Intel 6235)

To be honest, this is the easiest and most-troublefree option. The Intel 6235 will work out of the box, no extra drivers needed -- ever! (Intel's Wifi drivers are all open-source and come with the Linux kernel).

I have an Intel 6230 (older version of 6235 with Bluetooth 3.0) and an Intel 6300; both work flawlessly with Ubuntu 12.04 and connect at 300 Mb/s at close-ish distances; as you go further they will gracefully go down in 30 Mbps steps.

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