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Technical News & Discussion => IDNet Help => Topic started by: Niall on Jan 17, 2011, 20:37:40

Title: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 17, 2011, 20:37:40
My rock solid connection has dropped from 12mb to 7  :eek4: I've had no problems at all, in any way shape or form. I come home from work to find my connection is 7mb.

Ironically my sisters line which has been absolutely awful recently, now is getting 13mb. Basically our speeds have swapped.

I declare underhanded doings from BT!

(not really a help topic, but I thought I'd moan :D)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 18, 2011, 09:51:59
Anything to give you a clue in the router logs, Niall?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 18, 2011, 13:57:46
Sadly not. You don't really see much in netgear logs. Well, on mine anyway.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: pctech on Jan 18, 2011, 15:24:57
Been downloading too much so BT thought they'd kneecap you for a bit  :evil:
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 18, 2011, 15:44:19
Probably :D I have been spending lots of dosh on Steam recently. Think I've bought about 8 games in the last 3 months :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 18, 2011, 15:45:51
That's it, then, Niall, you've worn out the joints on your line. ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: gazzthompson on Jan 18, 2011, 16:13:04
that damn steam Christmas sale.... couldn't resist!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Lona on Jan 18, 2011, 16:17:54
Quote from: pctech on Jan 18, 2011, 15:24:57
Been downloading too much so BT thought they'd kneecap you for a bit  :evil:

I didn't know BT could do that. I thought it was down to your isp to kneecap you or have I got it wrong?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 18, 2011, 16:20:53
It is, IDNet don't, though.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: pctech on Jan 18, 2011, 17:37:27
I was joking Lona.

Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: pctech on Jan 18, 2011, 17:41:41
Kneecapping broadband could also be the IRA's new line of business.

Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 18, 2011, 17:42:31
Internet Retailers Association?  ;)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: pctech on Jan 18, 2011, 17:58:13
I don't recall them being armed.

Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 18, 2011, 18:03:13
They've changed a lot. :)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Lance on Jan 18, 2011, 22:46:12
BT kneecapping is also known as exchange congestion ;)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Bill on Jan 19, 2011, 00:17:11
Quote from: Lance on Jan 18, 2011, 22:46:12
BT kneecapping is also known as exchange congestion ;)

Naah... they call it DLM :mad:
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Lance on Jan 19, 2011, 07:26:03
True, I forgot they do both knees!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: armadillo on Jan 19, 2011, 15:34:02
I have never had spam and I am not any now either.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Steve on Jan 19, 2011, 15:41:15
Memories of spam fritters probably the wrong thread.  :whistle:
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 19, 2011, 16:06:41
Then there's condensed milk... ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Jan 19, 2011, 16:15:25
Good for making fudge  ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 19, 2011, 16:24:14
And little else.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Steve on Jan 19, 2011, 16:40:34
I used to get that on tinned fruit at gran's , not eaten tinned fruit since. My wife being scots is in to things from tins, so condensed milk is a favourite
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 19, 2011, 16:42:41
Not with this Scot, though I have been known to settle for a tinned haggis in an emergency. :)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: pctech on Jan 19, 2011, 16:48:36
What kind of emergency warrants tinned haggis of all things?

Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 19, 2011, 16:51:30
A dire one, Mitch. ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Jan 19, 2011, 17:00:30
They have what looked like boil in a bag haggis in Morrisons, Bracknell last week
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 19, 2011, 17:01:38
Burns Night seems to have become another marketing ploy this year - Asda are doing a special on IronBru. ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Jan 19, 2011, 17:05:35
With some R Whites lemonade too?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: pctech on Jan 19, 2011, 17:07:04
Quote from: Rik on Jan 19, 2011, 17:01:38
Burns Night seems to have become another marketing ploy this year - Asda are doing a special on IronBru. ;D

What does that stuff taste of? I work with someone who only drinks that but I've never been tempted to purchase a can.

Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Jan 19, 2011, 17:09:31
Girders  ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4PxuFQCDis
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 19, 2011, 17:20:25
 ;D

It's indescribable, Mitch. You just have to try it.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: pctech on Jan 19, 2011, 17:27:01
I'll pop to the shop at work tomorrow and buy a can, then I'll let you know whether its indescribable or not  ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 19, 2011, 17:32:51
Well, if you can describe it, it'll be a first. ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Technical Ben on Jan 19, 2011, 20:09:00
Quote from: Niall on Jan 18, 2011, 15:44:19
Probably :D I have been spending lots of dosh on Steam recently. Think I've bought about 8 games in the last 3 months :D

So £15 in total? Those special deals are great! :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 20, 2011, 17:25:14
I think I'll send IDnet an email. My speed is still just under 7mb now. My sisters line went completely the other week with a LOT of noise making it unusable and I could hear noise on my phone line again, and now I have a 7mb line. My only thought is that maybe interleaving has been turned on due to the noise caused by whatever BT were doing around here a couple of weeks ago. There's been nothing changed either here or at my sisters house regarding internet, so it's too much of a coincidence. It's probably been like this for a while and I haven't noticed as all I've been relying on recently is the upload for photos.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 20, 2011, 17:39:14
Have a word, Niall, they're there for the next 50 minutes.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 20, 2011, 17:48:18
I've sent an email. There's no real rush as I only use the upload with any sense of urgency. Still, 14mb is nice to have if you're downloading games as I seem to be doing a lot, and demos, etc from Xbox live.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 20, 2011, 18:00:27
Think of it as an effort to save you money. ;)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 21, 2011, 13:58:43
Had an email from IDnet today informing me a line reset has been done. As I sit here in work my line should be nipping along nicely :D

Although I have curry so I still think I'm winning :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 21, 2011, 15:40:48
 ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 21, 2011, 17:27:42
Well it'd gone up to 7.9 when I got home, and I've just rebooted the router and it's a smidge over 8mb now. I imagine it'll slowly increase over the next few days, although I did expect it to reset to the 14mb I had before.

Ah well, time will tell.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 21, 2011, 17:33:20
Run a BT speed test and post the results, Niall.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 22, 2011, 16:05:15
 Download speedachieved during the test was - 6344 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speedsis 2000-7150 Kbps.
IP Profile for your line is - 6000 Kbps
The throughput of Best Efforts (BE) classes achieved during the test is - 19.73:17.55:62.72 (SBE:NBE:PBE)
These figures represent the ratio while sententiously passing Sub BE, Normal BE and Priority BE marked traffic.

The results of this test will vary depending on the way your ISP has decided to use these traffic classes.

Aw it's even worse now :(

(http://www.speedtest.net/result/1122866564.png) (http://www.speedtest.net)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 22, 2011, 16:14:56
Time  to move the router to the master socket, or preferably the test socket, Niall.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 22, 2011, 16:28:25
I can't be bothered yet. I'll just unplug the router at some point and see what it's like after a 30 minute power down. There doesn't seem to be noise on the phone line and I haven't had any issues, and nothing has changed here. It's just that issue that happened with my sisters line really makes me think the exchange has done something recently.

I'll have a rummage through my power cables too as I do need to unplug a couple of things since I moved things around in this room. It's possible I've shoved a load of power cables in with the router cabling and it's causing issues (I don't think I have though).
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 22, 2011, 16:34:04
Powering down for 30 minutes is only really needed with a stale session, Niall, a straight re-boot should sort any sync problems out for you.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 22, 2011, 16:36:19
Bugger :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: armadillo on Jan 22, 2011, 16:38:10
Quote from: Steve on Jan 19, 2011, 15:41:15
Memories of spam fritters probably the wrong thread.  :whistle:

Ah so this is where it went.   I knew I posted but couldn't find it in the spam thread where I thought I had put it. The trouble with having several threads in different tabs.  :slap:  I seem to have had an aberration typing proper English too.  :slap:  :slap:
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 22, 2011, 16:43:54
It's the magic we weave across the forum, Dill, everyone loses their short-term memory and becomes disorientated. ;)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Steve on Jan 22, 2011, 16:44:58
Plus there had been no mention at all of food in the thread up to that point. >:D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 22, 2011, 16:49:54
I must have slipped up. ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 23, 2011, 14:49:36
Well this room is all spotless now *deep breath* ahh fresh :D

I've unplugged all unneeded cabling (laptop power pack, wireless mouse hub & graders to defluff my noggin :D). I've checked everything else too and there seems to be no issues at my end, so I'll just leave it for now.

I've got 8mb and just under 1mb up (800Kb/Sec-ish), which is just about acceptable for uploading photos. Strange really as this is more or less the profile I used to get when I was on ADSL max (or whatever the 8mb thingy is called :D).

Anyhoo, I'll watch the situation over the week and see what happens. As it's stable, that's the most important thing really.

Now, where's the foot off my desk chair gone?
/me crawls off on hands and knees looking for missing bits
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 23, 2011, 15:50:56
 ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: armadillo on Jan 23, 2011, 23:11:38
Quote from: Rik on Jan 22, 2011, 16:43:54
It's the magic we weave across the forum, Dill, everyone loses their short-term memory and becomes disorientated. ;)

Is this a forum?  Were we talking about magic? And who is Dill? Happy Christmas. Where am I?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 24, 2011, 10:29:15
Welcome to the Twilight Zone. ;)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 17:57:50
Hmm, my speeds are refusing to recover to previous awesomeness and my line just dropped. Something is amiss in the world of tinterwebs.

Tue, 2011-01-25 18:53:28 - LCP down.
Tue, 2011-01-25 18:53:37 - Initialize LCP.
Tue, 2011-01-25 18:53:37 - LCP is allowed to come up.

That's all my logs show.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 17:59:49
Actually, looking back:

Tue, 2011-01-25 18:33:58 - Initialize LCP.
Tue, 2011-01-25 18:33:58 - LCP is allowed to come up.
Tue, 2011-01-25 18:33:58 - CHAP authentication success

Tue, 2011-01-25 18:23:59 - LCP down.
Tue, 2011-01-25 18:24:09 - Initialize LCP.
Tue, 2011-01-25 18:24:09 - LCP is allowed to come up.

The rest of the logs show nothing, going back to 2pm today. Wish my router kept better logs.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Jan 25, 2011, 18:00:48
It's happening in the future.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 18:01:15
I just noticed that. I changed the time on this thing last week too. For some reason the router refuses to keep the correct time.

{edit} Actually, it's showing it's set to the correct time. I have no idea why the logs are showing the incorrect time.

I might buy a new router. That annoys me.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Jan 25, 2011, 18:03:38
I believe it shows a sync problem between your router and the exchange.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 18:05:27
Quote from: Glenn on Jan 25, 2011, 18:03:38
I believe it shows a sync problem between your router and the exchange.

I may send an email to support then. Something around here went tits up about 3 weeks ago, and since then my line has been like this (I assume as I only checked when I posted this thread. My sisters other half had to get idnet to reset the line, which worked for them, but sadly it's done nothing for me).
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Jan 25, 2011, 18:11:36
You will need to connect the router to the test connector behind master socket face plate. then monitor the line. If the problem still exists, try another router if you have/can borrow one
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 18:29:49
Out of curiosity, can this sort of thing be caused by a dying router?

Just wondering as I've ruled everything out on my side a while ago. As I mentioned, there is on occasion around this area, a lot of noise on the line. When this happens, my sisters line which is on the same exchange, and is half a mile from here, drops completely and becomes unusable when it comes back up. When this happens to them, my line drops in speed. My sisters line just had a reset done on it and is working fine. Mine however seems to have not recovered from it. Normally it does so within a week, but I'm just concerned as it's not even showing any sign of recovery this time.

If there is anything wrong on my line, I'm never at home when it's happening, as tonight was the first time it's dropped while I'm at home. My logs show nothing from 2pm onwards today but I think that's just as far back as the router logs go, time wise.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 25, 2011, 18:32:28
It's possible, Niall.

How are you judging that there's a lot of noise on the line?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 18:34:13
It's actually a lot of noise on the phone line, rather than the broadband I was referring to. Helps if I mention that I suppose ;D

Tue, 2011-01-25 19:25:37 - LCP down.
Tue, 2011-01-25 19:25:46 - Initialize LCP.
Tue, 2011-01-25 19:25:46 - LCP is allowed to come up.
Tue, 2011-01-25 19:25:46 - CHAP authentication successDestination:212.69.51.69,50649 - [Any(ALL) rule not match]
Tue, 2011-01-25 19:30:56 - LCP down.
Tue, 2011-01-25 19:31:05 - Initialize LCP.
Tue, 2011-01-25 19:31:05 - LCP is allowed to come up.
Tue, 2011-01-25 19:31:06 - CHAP authentication success

Seems to be doing it more and more. This isn't good :o
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Jan 25, 2011, 18:36:19
So you can hear the noise when making a call? If so report it to your service provider, BT, IDNet or whoever it maybe, don't mention your BB connection though.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 25, 2011, 18:37:04
It doesn't. Deal with that first, then try to resolve the ADSL. There's no point in even thinking about the latter if the line is audibly noisy as there's nothing an ISP can do at that point.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 18:46:20
Argh, this is why I didn't want to mention that :D

The phone line issue is only relevant to when the problem in the area pops up at my sisters. My line has no noise on it most of the time. VERY occasionally I do hear a bit, but it's been like that for years. Connection wise, my line has been rock solid stable since ADSL came out in Wrexham.

I've just had a word with my sisters other half and he's just said that the external lines (to his house) were corroded, but he didn't say if that's what the problem was last week. Only IDnet can tell you that, as he's just very helpfully gone offline as I was about to ask him, and he's on a train somewhere!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 25, 2011, 18:48:08
Quote from: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 18:34:13
It's actually a lot of noise on the phone line, rather than the broadband I was referring to. Helps if I mention that I suppose ;D

So whose line were you referring to Niall?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 18:49:29
Erm, wuh? :D

My line (ADSL) is currently at 7mb and dropping. I was only pointing out that it happened at the same time my sisters line went wonky, to point to a possible exchange issue.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 25, 2011, 18:51:05
OK, now you've really confused me. ;D Are you saying there's audible noise on your line, or that the problem is merely broadband related?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 18:51:55
For the purposes of this conversation, my broadband is pants :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 25, 2011, 18:53:28
And you've done all the normal stuff of moving to the test socket, changing filters etc?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 18:57:30
I have no filters to change. All I can do is try the test socket thing, but I'll wait for support to get back to me, just incase they know something I don't.

Obviously there are two things that could be a problem here (well, three now I think about it). My router is pants, which even though it's not ace, I think it's not the problem. The exchange has something going on, which is entirely possible, but god knows how I'd find that out. The actual line is degrading, which could explain an almost 50% drop in speed, although it seems a bit much of a drop for a sudden line degradation issue.

I'll wait for my reply from support and then see what's what.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 25, 2011, 18:58:37
A joint can go 'marginal' quite suddenly in my experience...
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 19:04:49
Well, the line outside my house has one chronic split which used to be linked to my bedroom (where the DSL is) and when there were massive problems when I first got DSL they switched the cr*p one to the phone line downstairs (my mums) and then the good one to here and I've had no issues since. That was 7 or 8 years ago, maybe more, I forget now (ah, Samknows claims it was 9 years ago, blimey!). My only other thought is that this line is now degrading. The trouble is, if there's nothing wrong at my end, or the exchange, then it's call out time and the engineer wont find anything unless he comes equipped to pull out the line outside to check it all, which I imagine they wont do, then charge me £200. I'd rather cancel the internet package than pay that to be honest :(
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 25, 2011, 19:06:32
See what support has to say. They won't send an engineer out unless they're reasonably sure there is a fault.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 25, 2011, 19:09:02
Yeah, I imagine it'll all go back to normal soon enough. Last time I sent an email to support about this, it sorted itself out before they could do anything. I think they scared the line back into...erm line :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 25, 2011, 19:15:38
Just testing can sometimes fix faults.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Gary on Jan 26, 2011, 08:34:55
Quote from: Rik on Jan 25, 2011, 19:15:38
Just testing can sometimes fix faults.
Cant see that happening for a flat tyre  ;)  ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 26, 2011, 10:20:54
It works if you test it with an air line, Gary. ;D Just not for long.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 26, 2011, 11:23:18
Well after I posted last night my line was constantly dropping, although I wasn't actually doing anything so it wasn't causing me issues other than annoying the cr*p out of me. I unplugged the router and when I got up, reconnected it. The profile is now 6.7mb which is appalling for this line.

I'm in work until gone 5 today, so I'll just have to hope something magical happens while I'm in work :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Steve on Jan 26, 2011, 11:26:30
Have you actually tried the router plugged into the test socket yet?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 26, 2011, 19:55:01
Hard to do when I was in work, as I mentioned ;)

I'll be doing the test socket thing for 72 hours. I've had a thought that as my old CRT monitor has a hub in the base, it's possible that this is creating the issue, but I'll try the test socket first just to hopefully eliminate that. Possibly even the CRT itself, although that's been where it is for months, but that's the only change in the room.

Ah well, the next 3-6 days will see as I try a few things.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 26, 2011, 20:09:38
I forgot, I don't seem to have a test socket :D Bugger!

I don't know if you remember when I had issues last time (that cleared themselves up), but I posted a photo that I haven't got uploaded anymore, but there is basically a cable running in off the street to a telephone socket, with what appears to be an L (looking from the side) shaped filter.

I'll order a new one of those, to eliminate that. If nothing else I'll have a spare for the future.

http://www.priceinspector.co.uk/d/30917840/Cables/ADSL-PlugIn-Faceplate-Filter--BT-NTE5-ADSL-Spliter--compare-prices

It's one of those I think.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 27, 2011, 11:01:48
One of these is cheaper and, imo, better, Niall:

http://www.adslnation.com/phpapps/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=105

but if you can fit one, you must have an NTE5 master socket.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 27, 2011, 12:56:57
Think I'll get that on payday on Monday! Ta!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 27, 2011, 12:58:45
NP, but do you have an NTE5, ie master with test socket? If not, neither of them will fit.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 27, 2011, 13:08:21
I have a cable sticking out the wall to what looks like a phone socket with that adapter/filter attached. I don't know what they actually are :(
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 27, 2011, 13:14:58
Have a look at the photos in this post, Niall:

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,1904.msg31528.html#msg31528

If your master socket doesn't look like that when the faceplate is off, you can't use the type of faceplate filter that I've linked. Depending on the socket size, you'd need either:

http://www.adslnation.com/phpapps/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=94

or

http://www.adslnation.com/phpapps/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=95

plus an IDC insertion tool.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: g7pkf on Jan 27, 2011, 13:22:53
FACEPLATES EXPLAINED (http://www.packetradio.co.uk/adsl/faceplate.htm)

you "could" replace your master socket for one that will fit an nte5 but you are treading on very shaky ground as it is technically not allowed.

But should you want to you can buy them here (http://www.solwise.co.uk/adsl_splitters-faceplates.htm)

Note you can only buy them if you promise not to replace your master socket :) A certain Big Telecom company wouldnt have a scoobie doo as long as you fitted it properly. If you did too good a job they would definately know you had fitted it yourself :)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 27, 2011, 13:37:18
Ah it looks like that nte5 face-off picture. Yay. As you can tell I don't know a great deal about the mechanics of broadband ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 27, 2011, 16:19:08
In that case you can use the test socket...
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 27, 2011, 17:45:43
How do I do this then? There's nothing to connect my router to. All there is, is what looks like a phone connector in there. How am I supposed to connect my router to that? Even looking at the picture in that other thread it doesn't seem like it's the same connector.

(http://www.packetradio.co.uk/adsl/faceplate_files/image011.jpg)

The above image has two connectors, which I'm assuming you're assuming mine has. It doesn't. It's just got the phone sized one, so I have nothing to connect my router to. I think this may be what is causing the confusion.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 27, 2011, 17:51:14
The connector behind the faceplate in an NTE5, Niall, is a standard BT socket. If it's not an NTE5, then there's no socket and the wires connect directly to the back of the faceplate, which will be the full size of the socket, not just the bottom part.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 27, 2011, 17:52:09
Updated my post :)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 27, 2011, 17:53:43
Well, it's not actually like that image, but the point is that I'm making that there is nothing on the socket that I have to connect a router to. It's just a cable with two wires connected to a phone socket looking thing, with no other connectors, then that ADSL nation thing you posted, plugs into it (presumably the filter/phone socket).

I'm a bit special, but I hope I'm getting this across now :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 27, 2011, 17:55:35
That picture looks like an engineer-installed filtered socket, Niall, it should have two sockets on the front, one marked for phone, the other for ADSL. Is that the case?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 27, 2011, 18:14:31
http://img825.imageshack.us/i/img02411.jpg
http://img683.imageshack.us/i/img02421s.jpg

There we go!

Incidentally my connection is now 4.5mb.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Jan 27, 2011, 18:17:29
Now plug in the router via a filter into the socket shown in the 2nd picture
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 27, 2011, 18:18:14
The second shot shows the test socket at the right, Niall, you appear to have an NTE5.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 27, 2011, 18:58:19
Ah ha!

I don't have any way to connect it to it though :(

I'll just wait until Monday, and order the ADSL nation thingy, and buy a filter too for future purposes.

Incidentally, what routers would people recommend these days? I'm thinking of replacing mine, mainly as it's long in the tooth and it would also give me the option of having my current Netgear 845GT thingy (I'm sure that's the wrong number :D) as a backup if something goes wrong.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 27, 2011, 19:00:16
An ordinary 'soap on a rope' filter is what you need, Niall.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 27, 2011, 19:02:07
Yeah, I did have one but I gave it to my sisters other half when they had problems. In fact I gave them two!

Well I'm in no rush. As long as I've got a net connection, I can order the bits on monday. I've bookmarked the sites on my iphone incase it all goes pear shaped.

Thanks for all your help by the way :)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Lance on Jan 27, 2011, 22:52:15
Quote from: Niall on Jan 27, 2011, 18:58:19
Incidentally, what routers would people recommend these days? I'm thinking of replacing mine, mainly as it's long in the tooth and it would also give me the option of having my current Netgear 845GT thingy (I'm sure that's the wrong number :D) as a backup if something goes wrong.

I'm using a Netgear DGN2200 quite happily since the power pack on my 2wire 2700HGV went to electronics heaven.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Gary on Jan 28, 2011, 07:58:52
Quote from: Rik on Jan 26, 2011, 10:20:54
It works if you test it with an air line, Gary. ;D Just not for long.
So not really then.  ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 28, 2011, 12:39:45
Quote from: Lance on Jan 27, 2011, 22:52:15
I'm using a Netgear DGN2200 quite happily since the power pack on my 2wire 2700HGV went to electronics heaven.

Very much the Achilles heel of the 2700 I've found. :(
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 28, 2011, 17:51:52
I thought I'd turn my CRT monitor off at the base this morning to test if that may be the source of the issue while I wait until I get paid to buy new bits n bobs. My speed has increased to 4.5mb but I don't know if that's coincidence.

Time will tell. I'll still buy new bits tomorrow/monday depending on when my pay goes through. New stuff shopping is quite therapeutic, no matter how mundane :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 28, 2011, 18:32:48
I do it well, usually with other people's money. ;)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2011, 19:38:58
We know.   :bawl:
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 28, 2011, 19:41:09
It was all Glenn's fault. ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2011, 19:42:04
;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Jan 28, 2011, 19:44:13
Me  :angel: I just make suggestions ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2011, 19:44:59
You've got me buying cheese now! 
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 28, 2011, 19:47:45
And me.

Next, the world!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Jan 28, 2011, 19:48:55
 :hehe: :clever:
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 28, 2011, 22:12:18
Well it wasn't the monitor! My line dropped about 8pm.

Strangely my upload is 1115 now, which is nice and nippy :D

Oh, I've just realised I forgot to tell you, support emailed me telling me there are a lot of errors on the upstream, which is a local source issue (me or the exchange - but I'm sure you know this already. I'm shiny and new when it comes to broadband issues. I suppose I should count myself lucky after 9 years and two blips, but other than that max speeds with low pings, etc)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 29, 2011, 11:17:03
It's noise tracking time, Niall. Do you have a battery-powered MW radio?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 29, 2011, 11:27:25
Nope, just a dab radio.

I'm going to get a filter & faceplate today and try that. If nothing else it's going to rule out that.

I haven't plugged the phone back in yet but when my sister phoned on my mums phone last night I noticed IMMENSE noise, so I'm wondering if there's an issue with the line itself. I'll test that today after the electrician finishes faffing about.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 29, 2011, 11:29:46
What kind of noise?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 30, 2011, 14:16:08
Like talking whilst sitting in a tree in high winds, with leaves rustling about :D

Can you get to the adslnation site by the way? I thought I'd buy the bits now, but I can't load the website :(
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Jan 30, 2011, 14:25:50
It times out for me
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Jan 30, 2011, 15:27:32
Bah, bloody irony!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Jan 30, 2011, 16:09:59
It's been very sluggish all week.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 01, 2011, 20:00:18
The site has reared it's ugly head again, so I've ordered the faceplate and a filter. Hurrah.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 01, 2011, 20:05:03
 :thumb:
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 02, 2011, 19:14:34
Faceplate and filter dispatched. They can't arrive fast enough. I've even unplugged things as I'm not using them currently, and my connection tonight is a whopping 2mb. Woo!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 03, 2011, 11:04:58
I feel quite proud of my stats in your presence, Niall. ;)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 03, 2011, 13:57:53
Incidentally my sisters line is having problems again. Unless it's pure coincidence I'm starting to think BT have done something around here when they went around working on the phone lines last month (well, December now I think about it).

Her other half was saying they've got noise on their phone line again. I think I'll plug my phone in when I get home and phone my mobile to see if I have noise too. I'll check the line outside the house too, just incase it's been damaged somehow.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Broadback on Feb 03, 2011, 13:59:28
Onny Conny in bread sandwiches, smacks lips!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 03, 2011, 15:46:01
No need to phone your mobile, Niall. Dial 17070 and select option 2.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 03, 2011, 17:43:57
I've just got home and tried both, with and without the new faceplate that arrived today. There's a low hiss on the line, but not overly loud, and it's pretty much been like that for god knows how many years, so I'm inclined to rule out a major problem there.

My profile has dropped even further today, by another 500 so it's now 2500. Every day that passes it's getting worse and worse, for no reason I can find. I'll remove the faceplate and just put the filter on it and leave it for a few days and see what happens. At this rate though, I won't even have a usable service by then!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 03, 2011, 17:44:52
Try a different router?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 03, 2011, 17:50:38
I don't have one. That's the last thing to rule out. I'll buy one in two weeks, as I'd like a newer one anyway :)

My filter is now plugged in, instead of a faceplate, but (and I genuinely don't know the answer here!) why would a filter rather than a faceplate make a difference when they're the do the same thing?

Incidentally, on powering down my router, my profile dropped to 2268 :(


Oh a side note, this smiley amuses me :yeay:

;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 03, 2011, 17:56:02
ADSL is not filtered, Niall, it's the voice side that's filtered. The only reason for using a filter when you go into the test socket is to convert the RJ11 plus to a BT one.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 03, 2011, 17:59:27
Ah right, so I assume that this means that if there is a noise issue that the filter would cancel that out, thus improving the profile?

Please tell me I've understood that right, as I'll be all chuffed n stuff ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 03, 2011, 18:01:37
No, the filter is doing nothing but acting as a pass-through connector unless you plug a phone in, Niall.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 03, 2011, 18:11:30
Aw :(

Why do support want me to use a filter for 72 hours then? I don't understand :(
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 03, 2011, 18:15:29
Because the test socket is the BT demarcation point. If you still have a problem there, there's less chance of BT charging for an engineer visit.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 03, 2011, 18:16:01
That answer works for me :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 03, 2011, 18:18:57
 :)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 03, 2011, 18:50:04
Well I've stuck another ticket in, in the hope that IDnet can suggest something as I'm all out of ideas at my end. Baring spending £150 on a router that I haven't got, I don't have anything more I can do.

One other thing, when support reset my line last week, my profile didn't change a bit. I expected a line reset to do exactly that, as my sisters line went back up to 14mb and then slowly lowered itself. How come mine didn't do that? Does this point to a fault, or a failed line reset?

As you can tell I REALLY know very little about broadband as I've never had problems in the 9 years I've used it :)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 03, 2011, 18:51:46
More likely a fault than a failed reset, Niall. You needn't spend that much on a router, though, a 2700 should be <£20 from eBay.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 04, 2011, 17:38:07
Yay, line reset has returned my profile to just under 13k now with 1100 up. Just hope it stays that way, what with all the hurricane weather around here.

I want to upgrade my router to one that supports dual bands so I can have the wii downstairs connected, my xbox if needed and use wireless on my iphone when I'm at home, just for speed convenience. I'm also planning on getting a little netbook, so would need wireless, if only just for the summer while I drink beer and surf the net in the back garden :D

Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 04, 2011, 17:46:18
Netbooks am good. ;)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 04, 2011, 17:59:43
My only concern with them is that they take ages to do anything. My sisters other half was given one from work, but they're so dependant on software as the hardware is cut down, it was incredibly slow. Between my advice and his tinkering, we got rid of everything that wasn't needed, including Norton which slowed it to a crawl, and it was okay, but my mobile phone was faster for browsing!

Oh, I just sent IDnet an email to say thanks too. Now they're morally obliged to watch my line forever to make it stay awesome ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 04, 2011, 18:02:09
Extra RAM helps them a lot, Niall. :)

Quote from: Niall on Feb 04, 2011, 17:59:43
Oh, I just sent IDnet an email to say thanks too. Now they're morally obliged to watch my line forever to make it stay awesome ;D

They'll appreciate that.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 04, 2011, 18:47:24
I think I may have jumped the gun. I'm trying to download this: http://fedoraproject.org/get-fedora to test speeds, and while my profile is 13mb my speed is still 2mb.

I suppose I'll have to wait the 72 hours suggested after all!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 04, 2011, 18:49:54
Yup.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 05, 2011, 12:20:12
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ProductID=10546

This looks like it'd fit the bill. When it's out :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 05, 2011, 12:27:27
It does look like the dream spec, Niall, let's hope they can deliver.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Feb 05, 2011, 12:28:42
http://www.wireless-router-net.com/dgnd3700-n600-adsl2-wireless-modem-router
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 05, 2011, 12:38:07
Sounds good.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 05, 2011, 13:00:58
http://forum1.netgear.com/showthread.php?t=60855

June release. Bah, I wannit now! ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Lance on Feb 05, 2011, 13:02:36
June release for hardware, November release for decent firmware.  ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 05, 2011, 13:03:58
Optimist. ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Glenn on Feb 05, 2011, 13:05:47
He did miss the year out.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 05, 2011, 13:13:04
True. ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 05, 2011, 13:22:40
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/Reviews.asp?ProductID=8583

Think I'll get this to tide me over. It's the model that replaced the 834 according to Netgear's site. £39.99 is a bargain. Also the reviews for it's wireless give 1-2 stars, but I want it for the wired until I get the other stuff I mentioned earlier, which I won't until I get that 3700 anyway.

This is the last thing to rule out issues on my side of the wall, so money well spent and if it's not the router I'll have a backup if I have any other problem. Yay!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 05, 2011, 16:02:16
New router installed. New DSL cable, new filter, new network cable.

One thing I've noticed is that pages are loading lightning fast now, and my profile reset to 13500 from 12000. I'm still downloading (using that Fedora link) at 2mb, but everything seems much smoother now. Hopefully the problem was one of those bits I just replaced and my speeds will pick up.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 05, 2011, 16:03:12
 :fingers:

Keep us posted, Niall.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 05, 2011, 16:04:56
Oh, this router stinks :(

Horrid plastic smell. Bleurgh :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 05, 2011, 16:06:45
Only matters if you're going to eat it, Niall. ;)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 05, 2011, 16:10:29
I just had sausage and chips. I'm making the most of my days off the gym while I wait for my physio appointment at hospital next wednesday :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 05, 2011, 16:14:52
 ;D

I've been enjoying a few days of 'inter-appointment dietary relaxation'. ;)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 06, 2011, 03:29:02
Sat, 2011-02-05 20:55:22 - UDP Packet - Source:212.69.54.104,2841 Destination:239.255.255.250,1900 - [DOS]
Sat, 2011-02-05 20:55:22 - UDP Packet - Source:212.69.61.77,1900 Destination:239.255.255.250,1900 - [DOS]
Sat, 2011-02-05 20:55:27 - UDP Packet - Source:212.69.59.114,1900 Destination:239.255.255.250,1900 - [DOS]
Sat, 2011-02-05 20:55:47 - UDP Packet - Source:91.135.9.199,1900 Destination:239.255.255.250,1900 - [DOS]
Sat, 2011-02-05 20:55:48 - UDP Packet - Source:93.89.131.106,1900 Destination:239.255.255.250,1900 - [DOS]
Sat, 2011-02-05 20:55:48 - UDP Packet - Source:93.89.128.61,1900 Destination:239.255.255.250,1900 - [DOS]
Sat, 2011-02-05 20:56:00 - UDP Packet - Source:212.69.45.238,60408 Destination:239.255.255.250,1900 - [DOS]
Sat, 2011-02-05 20:56:00 - UDP Packet - Source:212.69.45.238,52197 Destination:239.255.255.250,1900 - [DOS]
Sat, 2011-02-05 20:56:14 - UDP Packet - Source:91.135.4.32,1900 Destination:239.255.255.250,1900 - [DOS]
Sat, 2011-02-05 20:56:17 - UDP Packet - Source:212.69.47.98,1900 Destination:239.255.255.250,1900 - [DOS]
Sat, 2011-02-05 20:56:17 - UDP Packet - Source:212.69.49.99,1900 Destination:239.255.255.250,1900 - [DOS]
Sat, 2011-02-05 20:56:19 - UDP Packet - Source:91.135.0.77,1900 Destination:239.255.255.250,1900 - [DOS]


My logs are full of these tonight. Ripe.net says they're all IDnet IP addresses. Anyone know what they are? Is it actually people with IDnet DOS attacking people, or is it the router being extra careful?

Oddly, the last IP address on there, when googled, brings this as the top hit: http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=recent

Is this actually the forum trying to retrieve basic browser info or something similar for stats?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: playzen on Feb 06, 2011, 03:48:50
That looks like it could be DNS packets. Check thats not the ip for one of the DNS servers.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Steve on Feb 06, 2011, 08:05:06
You see this sometimes if a request is made and the router has closed the port before the response arrives back at the router.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Steve on Feb 06, 2011, 08:05:53
Quote from: playzen on Feb 06, 2011, 03:48:50
That looks like it could be DNS packets. Check thats not the ip for one of the DNS servers.
:welc: :karma:
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 06, 2011, 10:40:34
Quote from: playzen on Feb 06, 2011, 03:48:50
That looks like it could be DNS packets. Check thats not the ip for one of the DNS servers.

Indeed, welcome to our home. :welc: :karma:
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Holodene on Feb 06, 2011, 13:27:58
DGND3700. I wonder if it has a broadcom chipset?

I hope we'll see a smallnetbuilder review soon!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Steve on Feb 06, 2011, 13:50:52
I think??? it may use a Broadcom chipset 


http://www.hwupgrade.it/forum/showthread.php?t=2303053


http://www.broadcom.com/products/Broadband-Carrier-Access/xDSL-CPE-Solutions/BCM6368

Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 07, 2011, 17:54:15
I'm still stuck at 2mb speeds :(

My profile has increased again, a little bit, to 13300+, so now I need my speed that the line seems to obviously support. Damn BT, bleedin thieves :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2011, 18:05:27
Are you confusing sync speed with profile, Niall?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 07, 2011, 18:30:56
No idea, but whatever the profile on the router said, that was the speed I used to get :D

For example:

ADSL Firmware Version    3.4.4.0.0.1
Modem Status    Connected
DownStream Connection Speed    13334 Kbps
UpStream Connection Speed    1092 Kbps
VPI    0
VCI    38

Before the problems, if I saw that in the router stats page, I'd be getting just under 13mb download speed and a little over 1mb upload.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 07, 2011, 18:32:57
ADSL Link    Downstream    Upstream
Connection Speed    13334 Kbps    1092 Kbps
Line Attenuation    27.8 dB    15.2 dB
Noise Margin    6.2 dB    5.9 dB

That upstream figure for noise margin seems different though. I'm sure that used to say 3.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2011, 18:37:39
Routers don't give profiles, Niall, only sync speeds. You need to run a BT speed test (if it's working) to find out your profile.

The NM figures are dynamic and will vary. The true values are those immediately after a resync.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 07, 2011, 18:45:32
Booo, nothing's simple :(
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 07, 2011, 18:50:40
 Download speedachieved during the test was - 1590 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speedsis 800-2000 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :13334 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 1092 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 1750 Kbps
The throughput of Best Efforts (BE) classes achieved during the test is - 10.4:23.11:66.55 (SBE:NBE:PBE)
These figures represent the ratio while sententiously passing Sub BE, Normal BE and Priority BE marked traffic.

The results of this test will vary depending on the way your ISP has decided to use these traffic classes.

2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.

   Upload Speed
   908 Kbps
   
0 Kbps   1092 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

>Upload speed achieved during the test was - 908 Kbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 1092 Kbps
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2011, 18:52:09
Time to be patient, Niall. It may take up to 5 days for the profile to reset.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 07, 2011, 18:58:12
Yeah, I don't really have much choice in the matter ;D

I'm just getting a bit concerned as my speed is dropping by 500Kbps per day, pretty much consistently.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2011, 18:58:58
Sync speed?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 07, 2011, 19:06:26
Download speed.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2011, 19:12:16
Run the BT test each day, if your speed is dropping, it would suggest either your profile is or you have exchange congestion.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 07, 2011, 19:29:32
What does it mean if my profile is dropping? Also, why would it suddenly start out of the blue after 9 years of being fine? The checker thingy shows no exchange congestion too.

Is it something BT can fix? Is it a physical line issue? I'm assuming so, as there's literally nothing left for me to change. In fact I'm getting the feeling that everything I replaced was needlessly replaced, although I have backups/spares now so that doesn't bother me really. I'd just like to get to the bottom of the problem. I can't pester support because I've got 1 more day to wait for the 3 days to be up. I'm assuming they'd have to get an engineer out from BT, which I really don't want to do because I have absolutely no faith in them what-so-ever and know a charge would be applied by them, knowing my luck!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Steve on Feb 07, 2011, 20:10:45
The IP profile is an arbitrary limit BT place on a broadband's line max throughput, it is set by an automated system at your local exchange (DSLAM or MSAN) It will always be less than your download sync. It falls immediately after  you have had a lower sync event. Once your line is stable with no resyncs and is syncing at a higher  level the IP profile will rise again towards the downstream sync rate. This will occur over several hours if there is a large difference between profile and sync or over several days if the difference is small. So in your case Niall it should rise quite quickly initially  but as the profile approaches the sync rate, the rate of rise will then slow. However it is not unknown for profiles to become stuck and my need a kick from BT via support.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 08, 2011, 00:05:16
I'm thinking that not only is it not stuck, the wood has rotted and the speed has fallen through the hole ;D

Still everything seems stable, the connection hasn't dropped in about 4 days now, and the sync at my end has improved since the second line reset. Ta for the info too, I've never bothered reading up on this sort of stuff as I've never had a problem before, which in 9 years is pretty impressive to say in the least!

And now I shall toddle off to bed.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 08, 2011, 17:38:42
 Download speedachieved during the test was - 1633 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speedsis 800-2000 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :13334 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 1092 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 1750 Kbps
The throughput of Best Efforts (BE) classes achieved during the test is - 9.39:21.98:68.67 (SBE:NBE:PBE)
These figures represent the ratio while sententiously passing Sub BE, Normal BE and Priority BE marked traffic.

The results of this test will vary depending on the way your ISP has decided to use these traffic classes.

2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.

   Upload Speed
   896 Kbps
   
0 Kbps   1092 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

>Upload speed achieved during the test was - 896 Kbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 1092 Kbps

Well download speed is a TINY bit better, but upload has dropped by the amount the download increased. Awesome ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 08, 2011, 17:56:36
That is a wired connection, I take it, Niall?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Steve on Feb 08, 2011, 18:49:15
That IP profile surely should have jumped by now in a big way
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 08, 2011, 18:50:29
It should. If it's still there tomorrow, I'd say it was stuck.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 09, 2011, 17:57:54
Test1 comprises of two tests

1. Best Effort Test: -provides background information.

   Download Speed
   10196 Kbps
   
0 Kbps   21000 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

Download speedachieved during the test was - 10196 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speedsis 4000-21000 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :13592 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 1090 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 10000 Kbps
The throughput of Best Efforts (BE) classes achieved during the test is - 10.36:25.53:64.11 (SBE:NBE:PBE)
These figures represent the ratio while sententiously passing Sub BE, Normal BE and Priority BE marked traffic.

The results of this test will vary depending on the way your ISP has decided to use these traffic classes.

2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.

   Upload Speed
   877 Kbps
   
0 Kbps   1090 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

>Upload speed achieved during the test was - 877 Kbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 1090 Kbps

8mb jump overnight. Yay. Hopefully followed by another 3 tonight :D

Sorry I didn't reply yesterday, I've been a bit busy. Settlers 7 is quite demanding. Crops to make, gold to mine, etc ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 09, 2011, 18:00:28
I'm glad you didn't misspell bit too.  :whistle:
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 09, 2011, 18:04:22
I have amazing typo fingers. You should see my posts via my phone ;D It takes me ages to correct them. My favourite typo is wad instead of was. God that's annoying as the spell check doesn't pick it up :(
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 09, 2011, 18:05:39
Never trust a spellchecker.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 22, 2011, 14:06:45
Just thought I'd report back as enough time has passed to monitor stability. I've no idea what was the problem or whether it was something at my end or not, but still everything is working consistently now.

I just had a mild panic when my connection dropped, but it came back and has actually improved to:

DownStream Connection Speed    14104 Kbps
UpStream Connection Speed    1106 Kbps

Downloads are pretty much the same speed as the above too, which is nice. So, whatever the problem was (and I'm still leaning towards a BT issue) this is the best profile I've EVER had on this line. Hurrah!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 22, 2011, 17:37:17
I've seen a number of 'grouped disconnects' lately, Niall, which have made me suspect that it's Openreach doing work (there are vans all over the place). Every time, the resync has been at the same or better speed, which is why I think it's BT work and not noise.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 22, 2011, 18:38:56
Yeah, when the problems started for my sisters other half, there were the BTOR vans hanging about the telephone poles, like naughty teenagers :D

Oh, something I forgot to mention was that when my line improved, my sisters line got worse. They definitely have noise issues on their line. My sister phoned me to say happy birthday and I noticed the line was noisy, however when I phoned my mobile and also when my aunt phoned me, there was no noise on the line, in the same day (within an hour actually).

What would they need to do to get BT to sort that out?
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 22, 2011, 18:40:52
Dial 17070, select option 2, quiet line test. If they hear anything more than a background hiss or hum, report it as a voice fault to the voice provider - don't mention ADSL unless IDNet provide the voice line as well.
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 22, 2011, 19:16:43
They're actually with IDnet for everything, as I am. Support did everything they could, which actually got BT out and it was fixed, but the noise on the line has returned since then. I really think there are physical issues around certain parts of Wrexham with the actual wiring. On the road they're on most, if not all cabling is above ground all the way to the exchange. I don't know if that makes a difference, but there's a lot more above ground that could cause problems I'd have thought. Although I have no idea, it could be the opposite ;D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Feb 22, 2011, 19:31:13
IDNet have had BT out to me two or three times on the voice side, persist. :)
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 22, 2011, 19:40:40
If they ever appear online again I'll let them know. I think they've gone off somewhere to stuff their faces. Damn them and their weird early paydays in the education system!
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Niall on Feb 28, 2011, 20:56:56
Just been talking to them again and their line has tonight dropped to 2mb like mine did, and they have a hell of a lot of noise on their phone line. They'll be contacting support again in the morning.

Incidentally I was talking to my mate last night who's with BT and he says his line is dropping all the time when people phone too. I've told him to phone his support, but I doubt he'll get anywhere with BT support :D
Title: Re: Who stole my speed?
Post by: Rik on Mar 01, 2011, 09:46:51
He'll get to Mumbai. ;D