Sudden upstream speed problems

JamesAllen · Apr 03, 2011, 16:36:04

Quote from: Rik on Apr 03, 2011, 16:21:54
That power figure looks odd to me, James.

Aha, thanks for that Rik. Any idea what can cause this or what it should normally look like?

Rik · Apr 03, 2011, 16:41:55

No idea what might cause it, but mine is currently 18.9db. Router output power varies along with other stats, but a 0 output seems unusual to me.

There will now be a queue of people telling me I'm absolutely wrong.

JamesAllen · Apr 03, 2011, 16:46:05

Quote from: Rik on Apr 03, 2011, 16:41:55
No idea what might cause it, but mine is currently 18.9db. Router output power varies along with other stats, but a 0 output seems unusual to me.

There will now be a queue of people telling me I'm absolutely wrong.

It's a great spot. Be interesting if it is a factor here.

I'm starting to look at new routers now. May go for the Netgear 2200 that quite a few people seem to recommend.

Rik · Apr 03, 2011, 16:47:24

The new Billion that IDNet are testing looks worth a check.

JamesAllen · Apr 03, 2011, 16:48:15

Quote from: Rik on Apr 03, 2011, 16:47:24
The new Billion that IDNet are testing looks worth a check.

Ah excellent. What model is that? We had a Billion at the company I used to work for and while it was no frills it seemed very stable.

Glenn · Apr 03, 2011, 16:50:07

Quote from: Rik on Apr 03, 2011, 16:47:24
The new Billion that IDNet are testing looks worth a check.

Isn't that just a router, for use on a cable or FTTC connection?

Rik · Apr 03, 2011, 16:51:30

Take a look at Simon's thoughts here:

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,25325.msg602369.html#msg602369

James.

Steve · Apr 03, 2011, 16:51:51

No it's a modem/router 7800N with a wan ethernet input.

Rik · Apr 03, 2011, 16:52:07

Quote from: Glenn on Apr 03, 2011, 16:50:07
Isn't that just a router, for use on a cable or FTTC connection?

Simon had tested on ADSL2+ & FTTC.

JamesAllen · Apr 03, 2011, 16:54:59

Quote from: Rik on Apr 03, 2011, 16:51:30
Take a look at Simon's thoughts here:

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,25325.msg602369.html#msg602369

James.

Excellent, thanks for that Rik.

A little expensive compared to the 2200, but the future proofing and feature set does justify it.

I'm really at that point where I just want to get a really stable router that gets the most out of my connection.. Will look more into the Billion.

Glenn · Apr 03, 2011, 16:58:32

Billion 7800n £120 at Amazon

JamesAllen · Apr 03, 2011, 17:00:17

Even cheaper at Expansys: £113 with free delivery.

http://www.expansys.com/billion-bipac-7800n-802-11n-adsl2broadband-router-uk-182959/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=base&ito=1701

Never thought of spending this much on a router before but gotta say I am damn tempted. Had enough of cheaper models which invariably have problems or limitations.
This looks like it has everything I need.

Thanks again for the info.

Rik · Apr 03, 2011, 17:03:42

The reviews look good too.

pctech · Apr 03, 2011, 17:37:10

Quote from: JamesAllen on Apr 03, 2011, 17:00:17
Even cheaper at Expansys: £113 with free delivery.

http://www.expansys.com/billion-bipac-7800n-802-11n-adsl2broadband-router-uk-182959/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=base&ito=1701

Never thought of spending this much on a router before but gotta say I am damn tempted. Had enough of cheaper models which invariably have problems or limitations.
This looks like it has everything I need.

Thanks again for the info.

Not sure about anything else but a mobile I bought from them appeared to be grey market as the seals were broken and it looked like it had been repacked, I rang up to enquire and was told it had been unlocked, I returned it as was concerned I could be on shaky ground if I had any reason to call on the warranty.

Personally I'd not buy from them.

Rik · Apr 03, 2011, 17:37:39

Quite right, Mitch.

Adam · Apr 03, 2011, 18:23:55

Quote from: Rik on Apr 03, 2011, 16:47:24
The new Billion that IDNet are testing looks worth a check.

By the looks of it the 7800N only supports 2.4Ghz 802.11n which is a shame. I would expect 5Ghz support in that price range and perhaps even dual-band support (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz).

pctech · Apr 03, 2011, 18:56:39

Maybe the emphasis is on range Adam.

JamesAllen · Apr 03, 2011, 21:05:04

Quote from: pctech on Apr 03, 2011, 17:37:10
Not sure about anything else but a mobile I bought from them appeared to be grey market as the seals were broken and it looked like it had been repacked, I rang up to enquire and was told it had been unlocked, I returned it as was concerned I could be on shaky ground if I had any reason to call on the warranty.

Personally I'd not buy from them.

They have been around for a long time though and have a pretty decent rep. Hopefully that was an exception but know what you mean. I recently bought a bluetooth Microsoft keyboard from them which arrived quicker than stated and was exactly as expected.

Technical Ben · Apr 03, 2011, 22:12:43

If the speed if fluctuating, does that suggest problems your end or congestion? As AFAIK the exchange is not likely to change your sync speeds that quickly.

JamesAllen · Apr 03, 2011, 22:52:40

Quote from: Technical Ben on Apr 03, 2011, 22:12:43
If the speed if fluctuating, does that suggest problems your end or congestion? As AFAIK the exchange is not likely to change your sync speeds that quickly.

Well the sync speed isn't changing - it has remained at the correct level but upload speed seems to drop but then sometimes it's ok. If it was congestion would this not also affect downstream? Downloads have not been affected at all - only uploads.
It's really strange. I've ruled out traffic on my network by only connecting one machine to the router at a time.
I can only summise that it's my router which is failing, especially if it's not really possible for upstream to be reduced at the exchange but not downstream..

JamesAllen · Apr 16, 2011, 10:13:51

Hi guys,

I had this exact same problem last night. Totally gutting as I had to cancel my weekly radio show.

It was fine 1 hour before, then 30 mins before I did a speed test and either it failed to finish or showed the speeds had fallen to really low levels - 0.06mbs - 0.24mbs (normal is 0.91mbs or so). Wasn't reliable or stable at all.

However, this time I setup an old router and the problem did NOT go away.

I really need to get this resolved now as I can't afford to lose upload speed again when I have a show.
My upstream speeds are back to normal this morning which is all the more bizarre.

Anyone have any idea what could be causing this. I tested with only one machine connected etc to rule out local bandwidth usage issues and the problem still occured. I also disabled wifi and tested.

I was told by IDNet support that it's almost impossible that my upstream speed could change if my downstream was fine but that is exactly what I see when this happens. Noise margin is perfect, sync rates are normal but suddenly all upstream bandwidth goes right down.

From my tests though it points at something external. Could exchange congestion really only affect upstream and kill it to level I have experienced?

I hate the idea of having to move ISP but if this can't be identified and fixed then I'm not sure I'll have any choice.

Steve · Apr 16, 2011, 10:16:01

There were other issues last night so may be related

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,25464.msg606025.html#msg606025

JamesAllen · Apr 16, 2011, 10:33:52

Quote from: Steve on Apr 16, 2011, 10:16:01
There were other issues last night so may be related

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,25464.msg606025.html#msg606025

Hi Steve,

I think that's a difference issue to mine as when it's occured it's only upstream that is affected. Downstream and web browsing works perfectly. It's as if my upstream is suddenly being massively throttled but not consistently. Sometimes the speed test would fail completely when it got to the upload part or end up reporting a very low figure.

Very worrying as it's fine now so I need to identify the root cause.