Destroy The Lag: Freeing up Connections for Smoother Gaming

Professor Snugglesworth

Lately I've been playing the newest online games (Gears of War 2 on Xbox, Street Fighter II HD Remix on PS3, Left 4 Dead on Steam), and have not been getting the smoothest connections that I would like. I know each game has their own individual lagging problems (I can't stop bitching about how awful Gears 2's matchmaking is), and I also know there are other factors like the Host's connection or what kind of Server the game is in.

But despite all that, I want to do whatever I can to make sure that I'm not the one causing lag issues. I want to make whatever changes I have to so I don't suffer from teleporting E Hondas or sudden MGO headshots (from behind a fucking wall, even) because of my own connection.

I'll provide all the information I can, but if you need further info, I'll try to find that too.

1. My PS3, Xbox 360, and PC are all directly connected to my Linksys Router (which is in my room). It's a pretty old router, and I've been meaning to research if anything better has come along, so if you highly recommend a change, name some names.

2. I use a Comcast internet service, where both the online connection and HD cable service come through the coaxial cable commonly used for Cable TV.

3. My speed test from Speedtest.net (Firefox, Steam, other minor programs turned on).



4. My port list.

Xbox 360 NAT is confirmed Open, not sure how to check that for PS3. GGPO was an attempt to get the online program working, but it didn't seem to work for me, so I plan to delete those values. I left them in just in case you can pinpoint any problems to it.

If everything above appears okay, I'd still like any further advice you may have. Thanks.

exoplasm

Latency (measured by ping times (in milliseconds)) are the major lag issue with gaming. Low-quality networking equipment can also be a problem if you're putting on a heavy load (bit torrent, for example).

You can't really fix latency so if you get ridiculous ping times to other players, and with them being all over the country/world, you're kinda stuck with that.

Really all you can do, aside from opening ports like you did, is not do anything else on your internet connection if your router or modem can't handle it. You can see how it fares by trying to surf the web on one computer while you download stuff on another. If one of them is choking, it could be a crappy router or modem.

risumon

If you find out what version of router you have, you could try 3rd party firmware. Not sure if it would give a material performance increase, but could be worth checking.

Professor Snugglesworth

If you mean updating the firmware through Linksys' site, I've done that, and it's up to date.

It was suggested to me to give the router a WEP password, in order to keep any possible neighbors from leeching. I did this, and applied the password to all wireless connections in the house. The difference seemed minimal at best, but then the other family members were complaining about their connections timing out or just plain not working, so I switched things back to normal.

Wetsun

DD-WRT firmware recently did wonders to stop my my Linksys WRT54G from slowing/dropping connections when under stress.

risumon

Yah, I was meaning DD-WRT or Tomatoes(?) but you need to make sure you have enough memory. The older 54G routers did, but then they got cheap. Now they have the 54GL for linus with enough mem for 3rd party options. I got one of the latter and been meaning to do the flash, but never got around to it.

Lord Yod

You can check your PS3's NAT setting through the Settings > Network Settings > Network Status page, it will list NAT type as 1, 2, or 3.

Professor Snugglesworth

What NAT type do I want for PS3?

Also, my Linksys router is the one listed on the OP, if that helps determine for you which third party firmware might work best.

Lord Yod

NAT type 1 is the best, but so far as I am aware you can only get it by directly connecting the console to the modem. NAT type 2 means you are connected through a router but all ports are open, NAT 3 means you are connected through a router/firewall.

I should say that I am very interested to see if switching to DD-WRT measurably improves your connection. I play in a PS3 gaming clan and we basically all use those Linksys routers.

templewulf

risumon wrote: »

Yah, I was meaning DD-WRT or Tomatoes(?) but you need to make sure you have enough memory. The older 54G routers did, but then they got cheap. Now they have the 54GL for linus with enough mem for 3rd party options. I got one of the latter and been meaning to do the flash, but never got around to it.

There is a mini version for newer (and more widely available) WRT54G models. I flashed my old WRT54G v.7 into a wireless bridge, and I flashed my newer WRT54G2 v.1 with DD-WRT as a standard router, and I no longer get retarded DHCP errors.

The problem I have now, though, is that my bandwidth for Netflix varies wildly. One minute, I'm watching a crisp, clean HD stream of 30 Rock at four bars, and then Netflix has to stop and restream it because I'm getting a single bar.

@Prof. Snuggles:
If your family are getting disconnected every ten minutes or so while password protected, you may want to use DD-WRT firmware. I had that problem with my PS3 borking the WPA password renegotiation so badly that the router restarted all wireless connections. It could start with no problem, but once the password had to be renegotiated, the PS3 blew up my Linksys WRT54G.

Professor Snugglesworth

This is semi-off topic, but it is something that I could really use an answer for, right away.

As I told you before, I tried using a WEP password method, but switched it back when my dad's work laptop wasn't able to connect. Well, ever since then, he's been having problems getting online. Right now the only method is to disconnect the modem and router, along with the coaxial cable that feeds the internet to the modem, wait about a minute, and replug everything.

I don't have a clue why he's having this problem when all I did was add (and later remove) a password, but he's starting to demand that he be directly connected to the router the way my PC and consoles are.

Now obviously, giving him my router fucks me up proper, since I don't have any wireless adapters for my PC and consoles, but shouldn't he just need a second router, hooked up to another coaxial cable port in the house? Since the internet can be obtained to any cable port, giving him his own dedicated router should be the easiest solution, leaving my router setup alone, right?

The only thing I need to know is if he just needs his own router, or if he needs a separate Comcast modem as well. Also, will any additional configuration be required, or can he just connect his laptop to that second router and stay connected all willy nilly?

Jobastion

Professor Snugglesworth wrote: »

This is semi-off topic, but it is something that I could really use an answer for, right away.

As I told you before, I tried using a WEP password method, but switched it back when my dad's work laptop wasn't able to connect. Well, ever since then, he's been having problems getting online. Right now the only method is to disconnect the modem and router, along with the coaxial cable that feeds the internet to the modem, wait about a minute, and replug everything.

I don't have a clue why he's having this problem when all I did was add (and later remove) a password, but he's starting to demand that he be directly connected to the router the way my PC and consoles are.

Now obviously, giving him my router fucks me up proper, since I don't have any wireless adapters for my PC and consoles, but shouldn't he just need a second router, hooked up to another coaxial cable port in the house? Since the internet can be obtained to any cable port, giving him his own dedicated router should be the easiest solution, leaving my router setup alone, right?

The only thing I need to know is if he just needs his own router, or if he needs a separate Comcast modem as well. Also, will any additional configuration be required, or can he just connect his laptop to that second router and stay connected all willy nilly?

This mostly depends on the current wiring situation. If your only problem is a lack of available ports on the back of the router, and if you can technically run wire from the existing router to his laptop, and don't have to move the router or modem or anything and he's happy with that, then all you need is a Switch. It hooks to the router, and basically just adds additional ports to plug stuff into. And is cheaper than another router. You could alternately wire the router and modem where he is, then run an ethernet cable to where you are and use a switch there.

If you can't do that wiring wise, then you'll need another modem. Maybe another router too, depending on features used.
You can rent or buy, but either way you'll have to call comcast and have the second modem setup on the account. Depending on the area, the second modem's being active may run the full $42.95, it may be discounted some, that's a local rate decision - and there's the possibilty that the area you are in doesn't support multiple modems on one account (though that is extremely, extremely rare).

Professor Snugglesworth

Having him hook up the laptop to the existing router is out of the question, since it's in my room upstairs and his office is below by a good 20 feet or more away.

So he may need another modem, not another router, and it'll have to be a Comcast one too. Will it be a one time fee, or will it add up to the monthly subscription?

Jobastion

Professor Snugglesworth wrote: »

Having him hook up the laptop to the existing router is out of the question, since it's in my room upstairs and his office is below by a good 20 feet or more away.

So he may need another modem, not another router, and it'll have to be a Comcast one too. Will it be a one time fee, or will it add up to the monthly subscription?

It will add to the monthly sub.
Though you could always run some CAT-5 in the walls. Its a fun experience.

Professor Snugglesworth

Well according to Comcast, the modem is all he needs, and it would only cost an extra $3 a month. Not a bad deal, except he now stubbornly wants to stick to wireless.

I honestly don't know why he's been having problems. I take a look at his settings (XP), it says he's connected to our internet service, the signal is excellent, the wireless network says "Open" and "Disabled" (for network key), I don't see anything else unchecked or out of the ordinary.

But nothing on the internet opens up for him. I just don't know.

exoplasm

Check that he has the right IP address (matches your other computers except for the last number).

Try opening a command prompt (start > run> cmd) and typing "ping 4.2.2.2" and see what happens.

Professor Snugglesworth

Do the ping command on his laptop?

First, how do I find out what our correct IP address is?

Then, if his does not match, how do I change it?

exoplasm

You can open the network connection properties to find the IP (under status or details) or in the command prompt type "ipconfig /all"

and yes the ping will be done from the laptop.

templewulf

I thought you couldn't have more than one modem on a single cable connection. I assumed it would be like two people trying to talk on the same phone line, since they both use the same communications spectrum.

Can anyone link me a cite on this?

CF1

templewulf wrote: »

I thought you couldn't have more than one modem on a single cable connection. I assumed it would be like two people trying to talk on the same phone line, since they both use the same communications spectrum.

Can anyone link me a cite on this?

I can't link, but two modems off the same splitter work side-by-side, given enough initial signal strength on the cable line.

The problem is that the cable company will double bill you for twice the bandwidth.

@Professor Snugglesworth: I kind of get the feeling that Comcast is selling you the same thing you already have, a router for $3 more a month. There is very little chance that they are letting two modems go onto the same account for that price.

exoplasm

templewulf wrote: »

I thought you couldn't have more than one modem on a single cable connection. I assumed it would be like two people trying to talk on the same phone line, since they both use the same communications spectrum.

Can anyone link me a cite on this?

It's more like having 2 cable boxes to watch 2 different tv shows at the same time.

khain

exoplasm wrote: »

templewulf wrote: »

I thought you couldn't have more than one modem on a single cable connection. I assumed it would be like two people trying to talk on the same phone line, since they both use the same communications spectrum.

Can anyone link me a cite on this?

It's more like having 2 cable boxes to watch 2 different tv shows at the same time.

For TV the a cable company is sending you a feed and its all there so having 2 boxes doesn't add any additional bandwidth costs to the cable company. Adding a second modem and a router requires Comcast to give you another IP address and would also give you more bandwidth which I highly doubt Comcast would give away for free.