What is the difference between wired/wireless network connection speed and Internet speed? 

Wired networks today are configured to automatically select and run at 10/100/1000 mbps. While 10/100 mbps ethernet cards (wired network adapters) were used in older computers, ethernet cards that can run 10/100/1000 are quite common today.  However, this does not guarantee that you will be able to work with the highest speed, only that your computer supports these speeds. 

In order to achieve this speed, the Ethernet switching device (switch, modem, etc.) at the other end of the cable must also have the same characteristics. 

In addition, the cables providing the connection must also be of good quality and capable of operating at full capacity. When the aforementioned features are complete, a 1000mbps connection can be provided between the computer and the ethernet switching device opposite it. There are 8 wires in Ethernet cables and 4 of them communicating properly is enough for a speed of 100 mbps. But for a 1000mbps connection, all 8 of these cables must work properly. 

In a standard connection between a computer and an Ethernet switching device, at least 3 cables and 6 connectors are crossed. A problem with any one of them can reduce the speed from 1000 mbps to 100 or even 10mbps.

We can describe these cables in the following order;

1-A few meters of ethernet cable between the computer and the data socket in the wall
2-Structured cabling between the data socket in the wall and the data socket in the data center
3-Ethernet cable between the data socket in the data center and the ethernet switching device (switch)

End users can only change or interfere with cable number 1. The rest of the cables and connectors are under the control of the unit managing the data infrastructure of the building. 

There are 1000mbps supported switches in all dormitory infrastructures. You should see a 1000mbps connection between your computer and the ethernet switching device as long as the aforementioned qualifications are met. You can also check this status in your computer's network settings (click the Start button, then select Settings > Network and Internet > Status).

What is often overlooked, however, is the speed of the Internet connection. The Internet works “best effort” by dividing data into packets. Packets are sent to their destinations in the Internet world via the most appropriate routes, and there is usually no speed guarantee. Additional protocols need to be used to guarantee speed. Even these protocols guarantee speed up to a point. To explain with an example, the traffic situation on the road alone does not mean anything to go from your home to a shopping center. Even if all the roads from your home to this shopping center are allocated only to you, if the entrance-exit capacity of the building is not sufficient, queuing and waiting in line will change everything. The speed you see in the network connections section of your computer is only the speed between your computer and the ethernet switching device. So if we continue with the example, it refers to the part between your home and the first traffic light.

Considering that our main campus connection is 10000 mbps, it is not possible for your internet access speed to be 1000mbps in this respect. During peak periods, around 30-40,000 users benefit from this network. Speed tests give more meaningful results at this point. These tests can be used to give you an idea about the traffic on the path from your computer to a designated test server. However, it would not be correct to assume that the result you get from this test will be valid for any web page and at any time of the day.

The same is true for wireless networking. The speed you see here will be the speed between your computer or phone and the wireless network device it is connected to. Unlike a wired network;
    - the number of users around, 
    - the intensity of download/upload operations performed by other users in the vicinity,
    - airborne signal pollution (interference), 
    - your distance from the wireless network device,
    - physical obstacles (walls, glass, metal panels) between you and the wireless network device, 
    - the antenna design and power of the device you are using, 
    - the wifi technology supported by the device you are using,
    - Depending on where you position the device you are using (especially for phones/tablets), your connection speed will vary constantly and there will be much greater uncertainty.

This is also the case for mobile networks (3G, 4.5G etc.). Here, the mobile network speed you see on your phone again refers to the connection speed between the base station and your phone.

If you think you are having network connection problems on campus, you can use https://speedtest.metu.edu.tr/ to see your current speed on the campus network (dormitory, department, wired/wireless) you are connected to.  In addition, you can also use online traceroute applications to see where traffic is congested on the way to the pages you are having trouble accessing. Such applications will show you all the major devices that your packets pass through and their performance figures. Instead of end-to-end access time, the traffic congestion in between will also make it easier to understand the problem you are experiencing. Trying different pages will also clarify the situation.

When it is said “There is a problem with my internet speed”, it is very important to identify the problem correctly for a solution. Information such as the page you are trying to connect to, the device used during the connection (operating system and MAC/IP address information), connection time interval, user code, etc. are very important for a quick solution.

Most of the infrastructure devices you are connected to on campus are automatically monitored 24/7 and error records are collected. Problems arising from these devices are intervened even if there is no complaint during working hours. You can access https://monitor.metu.edu.tr/ from the campus network and review the devices that are malfunctioning/unavailable. How long these devices have been out of service is also indicated on this page. Devices that cannot provide service with a maximum delay of 5 minutes are shown on this page. For example, if the wireless network broadcast in your room has disappeared, you can check if there is a faulty device here. 

In addition, we remind you that the campus network is an academic network, not a commercial network, and that you must use the Internet in accordance with the terms of use you agreed to when you were allocated an IP address. You can access and review these rules at https://ulakbim.tubitak.gov.tr/tr/hizmetlerimiz/ulaknet-politikalari.

Checks you can do for wired network;
    - Ensuring that your computer's ethernet card drivers are the correct model and up-to-date
    - Keep your computer's wired network port clean (dust and liquids can cause problems)
    - Make sure that your computer's wired network port is not deformed (it can wear out and oxidize over time)
    - Using a quality and non-deformed ethernet patch cable
    - If you have a cable with broken connectors, replace it
    - If you have an intermediate cable with stripped outer protection, replace it
    - Not bending or breaking your intermediate cable at sharp angles
    - Not tying your intermediate cable in knots
    - Analyze the applications running in the background that may affect your Internet traffic and close the unnecessary ones
    - Keeping your computer up to date with security scans and preventing applications that download/upload without your knowledge (such as Botnet membership)

Checks you can do for wireless network;
    - Ensuring that your computer's wireless network card drivers are the correct model and up-to-date
    - Avoid using protectors (especially metal ones) that cover the antennas of your mobile devices or computer
    - The battery of your computer or mobile device is not empty (this will reduce the signal strength)
    - Use your device close to the wireless network device and, if possible, in your line of sight (distance and intervening obstacles will reduce performance)
    - When using a wireless network, if possible, choose places with fewer users around (the more users on the wireless network access device, the lower the performance)
    - Cancel unnecessary apps and downloads/uploads when using Wi-Fi (e.g. downloading files while using Zoom)
    - Meturoam/Eduroam are virtual wireless network broadcasts and both are physically broadcast from the same wireless network devices. Since they use different crypto technologies, some devices may experience problems. Alternatively, you can try to connect with the other one.
    - Metuconnect is a network that is only open for authorization and does not provide Internet connection. You can only access netregister.metu.edu.tr with this network. After completing your authorization process, you should “forget this network” and stop using it. Staying connected to this network will cause Internet problems.
    -  In wireless networks, mobile devices 'roam' in preference to the better of the available streams, so staying between two similar streams can lead to connectivity problems. If possible, relocating closer to one of them will help you avoid these problems.
    - Current wifi technologies operate in the 2.4 and 5Ghz bands. 2.4Ghz performs much better in terms of wall crossings and distance. But 5Ghz works much better when bandwidth and number of users are taken into account. If your device's specifications are appropriate, you can check which one you are connected to. Some devices may prioritize one of them or force the device to use only one of them. In cases where you are close to the wireless network access device, connecting in a way that prefers 5Ghz will increase performance. In cases where you are necessarily farther away from the device or there are walls in between, setting it to prefer 2.4Ghz will provide a more stable connection.