Objective
Measurements
Due to Win9X's
ability to easily show multiple graphs with varying Y-axes, the testing results
were obtained from those operating systems. Rest assured that these graphical
results were perfectly matched to those viewed in 2K, XP and dotNET.
Download
Speed
Notice that
the processor is fully utilized and that the transfer rate is very solid with
few significant dips below 750KB/s. The peak was 941KB/s (7.53Mbps), which
is below rated specs but still respectable. Few would complain about the drop
from the stated 10Mbps (HP10).
Upload
Speed
Here's the
shocker. No matter what O.S. I used (384MB RAM in the test box), the data
transfer from the box was dreadful. I repeated the test several times with
the same "scratch your head" results. The TH102A firmware was checked
and reflashed, different drivers were used and I even swapped for another
phone line. The graph is correct. Possibly a future driver update and/or firmware
update could solve the problem, but my gut instinct says no. An average upload
rate of 100KB/s (0.8Mbps) and a very shaky peak of 237KB/s (1.90Mbps) stick.
A very disappointing result to be sure.
Pictures
|
|
|
DHCP
Config |
Full
View |
Web
Interface |
Conclusion
To answer the article's
title, an improvement? Compared with HPNA1.0 specs of 1Mbps, yes. Performance
at or reasonably near the 2.0 spec? No. Similar complaints exist with the
multitude of wireless networking solutions, poor performance. In this world,
gigabit over copper and fiber optic connections are quickly infiltrating the
home and business networking communities respectively. If you are completely
unable to install the cabling necessary for your network and must use phone
lines, the TH102A and HP10 offer extremely limited performance that is surpassed
by CAT3 standards back in the 1990's. The system did work reliably, just slowly.
This pair of products from Compex receives a 6/10 rating, mostly for not meeting
the advertised HPNA2.0 specifications.
William
Yaple
January 18, 2003
