Should the speed being reported by "test network" match my ISP expected speed?

[wreade]

Hello! When I run the "test network option in the Google Home app, should I expect to see a speed that matches my ISP speed?

I currently have Comcast and I am supposed to get 1200 Mbps. I had Comcast come to my house and the person connected my internet cable that brings the internet into my modem into their testing device and got the expected speed.

When I run the "test network" option in the Google Home app (the Google Nest Wifi router is hardwired to my modem is a Cat6A cable), I only get about 800 Mbps. So, either my modem isn't working properly or my Google Nest Wifi router isn't working properly. I am still researching whether the cause is my modem but I need to know if my "test network" tests should get my ISP expected speeds if my modem is working properly. Otherwise, I have to get a USB-C to ethernet adapter to test an ethernet connection from my computer to my modem.

Thanks!

[bobpullen · Accepted solution]

You're not going to get 1200mbps, that's for sure. The Nest Wi-Fi kit only has a 1gbps WAN port, so the max you can expect is 1gbps minus overheads i.e. optimal speed of around 940mbps. 

[wreade]

@bobpullen Thanks for the info. Can you point me to a resource that specifies that?

[bobpullen]

Sure. Check the port specs here.

[wreade]

So, if my internet provider is giving me more than 1 Gbps, I can't use the Google Nest Wifi to get the max speed?

[bobpullen]

Correct. You need a router that has a multigig WAN port.

Also bear in mind that you need a Wi-Fi client that can support gbps+ speeds i.e. at least Wi-Fi 6 at 160MHz channel width. For wired devices, they need to have a multigig network card (many devices won't, the router also needs multigig LAN ports, not just WAN).

Edit: cables are also important. For multigig, you need high quality Cat-5e or Cat-6 (or above). Depends on the cable length. General takeaway is that cables/client capability are equally as relevant as the router/hub where gbps+ is concerned.

[wreade]

The Nest Wifi Pro only has two 1 Gbps speeds per router, so that product can't provide the higher speeds, either, right?

[bobpullen]

That's right, Google are yet to release a router with multigig LAN/WAN ports.

[wreade]

Good to know. Thanks so much for your help.

[Alex_S]

Hi everyone,
 

Thanks for the help here, @bobpullen.

@wreade, I wanted to follow up and see if you still needed help. Please let me know if you still have any concerns or questions from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Regards,
Alex

[wreade]

@Alex_S, I think my questions have been answered. Thanks!

[LovelyM]

Hello wreade,

We appreciate your update! We're glad that you're all good now. I'll be locking this thread in the next 24 hours. If you have new issues, updates or discussion topics, feel free to start a new thread here in the Community.

Cheers,
Lovely