From Sluggish Internet to Seamless Connectivity

Situation

A client’s office network was plagued by intermittent connectivity and consistently low bandwidth. The IT team had already reset the existing router several times, but the issue persisted.

Task

Identify the root cause of the slow internet and implement a permanent, high performance solution.

Actions takens

• Baseline measurement - Ran iperf3 tests between client PCs and an external server to quantify throughput; logged results at peak vs off peak hours. Provides objective data for troubleshooting.

• Hardware inspection - Visited the office, inspected the router and modem. Found the router’s firmware was two years old and the modem had a known hardware defect that throttles downstream speeds below 50 Mbps. Outdated firmware often limits performance; defective modems can degrade throughput.

• Router replacement - Deployed a new enterprise grade router with dual WAN support, QoS policies for VoIP and video conferencing, and integrated VPN capabilities. Modern routers provide better throughput, security, and manageability.

• Modem upgrade recommendation - Advised the client to replace their modem with a newer model that supports DOCSIS 3.1, offering up to 300 Mbps downstream. Aligns the upstream bandwidth with the new router’s capacity.

• Post deployment validation - Re ran iperf3, performed a full network health check, and confirmed QoS was prioritizing critical traffic. Ensures that the upgrade delivers real business value.

Outcome

• Internet throughput increased from an average of 20 Mbps to 150 Mbps during peak hours.

• VoIP call quality improved dramatically; jitter dropped below 5 ms.

• The client reported a 90 % reduction in support tickets related to connectivity.

Key Takeaway

A router + modem combo can be the single most effective lever for improving office network performance, especially when the hardware is obsolete or defective.