Fun with Leopard Networking
Leopard has a major issue with it’s networking stack when it comes to wireless. I run my wireless network at home with WEP (I know, not recommended at all but I’m lazy). After struggling with some of the SLOWEST samba transfers known to man, I decided to perform some speed tests from my Macbook Pro (3rd generation). All I can say is “WOW!”. A Windows XP laptop located right next to my shiny new Macbook was getting 2,500 kbps average for download speeds. And the Macbook? Less than 200 kbps.
Thinking that I might have to return my shiny new toy (after a $2,500 investment, wireless should work!), I began searching for solutions in all the usual places. When nothing came up, I decided it was time to update my wireless router to WPA2 (from the WEP). After making this small change, my Macbook is suddenly quite happy with it’s wireless connection. And by happy, I mean that it can finally keep up with the crappy Celeron laptop sitting next to it.
Long story short, if you’re having problems with your Airport connection and you’re using WEP, it might be time to reconfigure and go up to WPA (or one of it’s variations).