Netgear v5 changes

JohnH · Jul 11, 2009, 18:29:10

Do you think a change of router might squeeze out an extra half meg?

Rik · Jul 11, 2009, 18:30:21

It's always possible. For my line the 2-Wire 2700 did just that.

JohnH · Jul 11, 2009, 18:32:03

I think I might invest in one, otherwise I'll always wonder.

Rik · Jul 11, 2009, 18:32:50

It's got to be worth it, if it doesn't work out for you, there's a ready market to sell it on to.

Sebby · Jul 11, 2009, 19:07:55

Quote from: tpk on Jul 11, 2009, 17:28:24
Thanks Rik. I might try a 2Wire at that price.

I've just noticed I wasn't in the test socket. I usually am but since the BT engineer replaced the master socket I hadn't been. I'm back in the test socket now but its still reporting a much better attenuation than I've ever seen at this house.

ADSL Link Downstream Upstream
Connection Speed 1519 kbps 1167 kbps
Line Attenuation 27.5 db 25.5 db
Noise Margin 6.90 db 7.0 db

I don't have any extensions that I'm aware of. I'm in the test socket so it shouldnt matter? The BT line comign into the house as 4 wires in it, black, green, white and orange. The white and orange are connected.

It's very odd how the attenuation is being reported so low. I'd be more inclined to trust the previous Broadcom-based router, but even so, the sync rate is terrible. I don't know what else to suggest, though.

JohnH · Jul 11, 2009, 19:26:45

Quote from: Rik on Jul 11, 2009, 18:32:50
It's got to be worth it, if it doesn't work out for you, there's a ready market to sell it on to.

Not one to let the grass grow, I have just made a £12.99 investment on Ebay.

Steve · Jul 11, 2009, 20:32:39

Quote from: Sebby on Jul 11, 2009, 19:07:55
It's very odd how the attenuation is being reported so low. I'd be more inclined to trust the previous Broadcom-based router, but even so, the sync rate is terrible. I don't know what else to suggest, though.

I would be interested to find out via support if this is a "banded" profile i.e a deliberate imposition of a sync ceiling imposed by BT on noisy or high error count ADSL2+ connections.

James_D · Jul 11, 2009, 21:38:26

Quote from: stevethegas on Jul 11, 2009, 20:32:39
I would be interested to find out via support if this is a "banded" profile i.e a deliberate imposition of a sync ceiling imposed by BT on noisy or high error count ADSL2+ connections.

Ironically I think most of the high error counts are caused by the BT Kit

Steve · Jul 11, 2009, 22:04:00

You may well be right, so their response it is to sit on you keep you quiet because they have at present no other solution. I know that on this forum we have seem examples of previously perfectly useable adsl max connections turned into dross by the move to adsl 2+. Did BT buy their equipment in a Woolworth's fire sale.

zappaDPJ · Jul 11, 2009, 22:35:03

I'd be interested to know if my connection is banded to keep it stable.

tpk · Jul 11, 2009, 23:52:43

Well I've suffered another loss of connectivity even though the router says its still up. That's with the replacement router which is v5. As Sebby says, I'd trust the v4. I dont' really think I've got an attenuation of less than 30db. Support have already told me the line looks ok. But what is ok? What if its a problem every so often like mine? I had the same problem with the BT engineer who I got out on the basis of checking the voice line service. He said he can't see a problem so he can't fix it. I've clearly got a problem, but neither BT nor IDNEt appear to be able to do anything.

I'll keep my fingers crossed and call IDNET about the new router not solving anything.

Thanks all for your help.

Sebby · Jul 11, 2009, 23:55:11

Quote from: stevethegas on Jul 11, 2009, 20:32:39
I would be interested to find out via support if this is a "banded" profile i.e a deliberate imposition of a sync ceiling imposed by BT on noisy or high error count ADSL2+ connections.

That's not possible - the only way of doing this is via the target margin, which is currently 6dB. There's no way they could really do anything else without it being obvious.

Lance · Jul 12, 2009, 00:30:59

Just going back a few posts about costbof the 2700 router... I got a brand new one for £6.30 Plus postage delivered yesterday and also won a used one supplied just with power cable for £0.99 plus postage. Two routers for £16 ush isn't bad!

Simon · Jul 12, 2009, 00:37:56

Not bad at all, Lance.

Steve · Jul 12, 2009, 09:12:16

Quote from: Sebby on Jul 11, 2009, 23:55:11
That's not possible - the only way of doing this is via the target margin, which is currently 6dB. There's no way they could really do anything else without it being obvious.

You may well be correct Sebby,you know far more about it than I ever will. However there are an increasing number of posts in various forums commenting on a "banding" with adsl2+ i.e http://community.plus.net/forum/index.php/topic,77267.0.html/ and others over at TBB. The interchange of the words sync and profile to the same meaning only leads to the confusion. Can I suggest that since the advent of adsl2+ that BT have implemented additional controls on a broadband connection other than by control of the target margin.

Sebby · Jul 12, 2009, 10:46:10

Thanks, Steve, I'll have a read. From a technical point of view, i.e. just looking at the stats, I would have thought it would be possible to tell if BT were interfering.

tpk · Jul 12, 2009, 10:55:58

I've put the old v4 back in just to double check and sure enough the attenuation and noise has gone back to what it was.

ADSL Link     Downstream     Upstream
Connection Speed    1637 kbps    1012 kbps
Line Attenuation    46.0 db    26.5 db
Noise Margin    10.9 db    6.5 db

I'd like to believe the v5's better attenuation but surely it can't make that much of a difference.

Rik · Jul 12, 2009, 11:05:35

No, or maybe yes. Some routers work better with some MSANs, some routers give false reports. Try the 2700 and you'll have a 2 out of 3, hopefully.

tpk · Jul 12, 2009, 11:06:46

Will do, thanks Rik.

Sebby · Jul 12, 2009, 15:31:08

Quote from: tpk on Jul 12, 2009, 10:55:58
I'd like to believe the v5's better attenuation but surely it can't make that much of a difference.

I'd say the v5 is probably reporting it wrong.

Gary · Jul 13, 2009, 08:16:09

Has the v5 which is a conexant chipset in it got the latest firmware?

tpk · Jul 13, 2009, 10:51:45

Hi Gary. Yeah the v5 is on the latest firmware. Apparently earlier versions got downstream and upstream the wrong way around.

This one is v6.00.25. It's consistently getting about 30 attenuation but even worse speeds (about 1300 Kbps down). I'm a little confused about SNR as I've read most modems report the "SNR margin" not the SNR. Support have suggested I wait 24 hours for DLM. I've been trying the v4 and the v5 so I'll stick with the v5 for longer now.

I suffer a loss of connection usually atleast once a day with both though (during which the router thinks its connected but I can't ping anything). Only a reboot fixes it.

Rik · Jul 13, 2009, 10:56:18

Sounds like a PPP session issue. Have a word with support and see what they are seeing happen to your line.

tpk · Jul 13, 2009, 10:58:49

Support are saying the line looks ok while this is happening. This is why I had a new router sent out. I'll be talking to them again today.

Rik · Jul 13, 2009, 11:00:29

That does sound like a PPP problem then.