Quote:
Originally Posted by Vadorequest
Hi!
1) Internet speed x3
After branching the DisplayLink PRO using my ethernet cable, the speed has jumped from 885/765Mbps to 2330/2270mbps (up/down). It's almost a x3 speed.
I simply don't understand how that's possible. I've noticed the same increase on 2 different computers (Windows/MacOS). Not that I'm complaining, but it makes me wonder how that's even possible.
Also, the speed increase isn't always present, sometimes during the day it goes back to the previous number (885/765Mbps), during evening/night it's always around x3 (2330/2270mbps), but it also happens during the day, sometimes.
I guess, somehow, the DisplayLink Pro manages to use a part of the network that is unused, but I'd like a more scientific explanation  |
What I eventually realized is that the dock is not “speeding up” the internet like I first thought. It’s simply changing which Ethernet adapter my computer is using.
Before: my “direct Ethernet to the computer” path was actually limited by a 1GbE (1000Base-T) network interface (from the laptop’s built-in NIC).
A 1GbE link typically tops out around ~940 Mbps in speed tests.
After: when I plugged Ethernet into the Plugable UD-7400PD, my OS started using the dock’s 2.5GbE Ethernet adapter (link negotiated at 2500Base-T), so the speed test jumped to ~2.3 Gbps. That’s expected if your router port is 2.5GbE and the endpoint adapter is 2.5GbE.
So the “mystery” was just this: I wasn’t comparing the same class of Ethernet hardware.
I had never been limited in internet speed by my computer before, it always was a router limitation. But the limit exists on both ends.
And so, I've bought a 5G adapter to see if my bandwith isn't actually even faster. I intended to buy a NAS soon and this kind of detail is very important for local internet speed.