speed checks

[Den]

Hi, I came across to idnet from ezeedsl on Wednesday after reading this forum for a while. With ezeedsl I was getting speeds of 3400 as a norm. Best I had was 5200 and worst about 300.
How long does it take to settle (10days?) at the moment best speed has been 1930.
Regards to all, nice to be onboard    Den

[Inactive]

Welcome Den, someone will very soon give you an answer.

[DorsetBoy]

That rather depends on what is needed to complete the migration.

Some Max 2 Max migrations require a 10 day training period and others don't,the problem is that regardless of that BT will not look at anything until the 10 days is up.

The best thing to do is leave your router on 24/7 and see where you are in a @ a weeks time.

[Rik]

Hi Den

Welcome to the forum.

If you migrated across 'like for like', ie the underlying BT product was the same, then there should be no new re-training period, your profile should just come with you.

Do a BT speed test and see what profile you have. It could be that, during the migration, there was some instability on the line and it has caused the profile to be set low. If that is the case then, provided you can maintain a stable connection for three days, it will recover automatically.

Once you've run the BT speed test, if you can post the result, together with your line stats (sync speed/attenuation/noise amrgin), we'll be able to give you more specific advice.

You may be able to help your trhoughput with some tweaking of MTU/RWIN, but without knowing your profile, that's just speculation.

[Den]

Hi, Thanks for such quick replies. Just ran a BT speed check and results as follows
IP profile: 2000kbps. DSL connection rate: 448kbps(up stream)  4704kbps (down)
Actual IP throuput achieved: 1823kbps.  These are more or less what I achieved yesterday as well.
Checked my router and it  shows;
Down load: 4704
Upload: 448
Noise Margin: 5.4dB down     21dB down
Output :       19.4dBM         11.9dBM
Attenuation:  43                 28

Hope this helps              Den 

[Rik]

Your sync speed is much lower than I would expect for that attenuation. Do you have an NTE5 master socket, if so, can you connect at the test socket behind the face plate, and see if the sync increases?

Your throughput is spot on for your profile, so I would think there has been some instability which has caused the profile to drop. Do you keep logs of any loss of sync events? If not, you could ask support what they are showing for your line.

Do remember to avoid 10 or more re-syncs in an hour - that will be seen as instability by BT's software and will push your profile down.

[Den]

Hi, I am trying to be patient and wait for the 10days to be up    But this afternnoon my speed dropped as low as 500kbps and seems very unstable. Most of the time it seemed to settle on 1930 or thereabouts. Should I wait and hope or contact idnet.

[Lance]

You can try IDNet but until you are out of your 10 day period they won't be able to get BT to do anything.

Could you run another BT speedtest and post the results here? In addition, it may be worth seeing in your router logs whether you have had any disconnections/re-syncs.

[Den]

Hi, On my security log for my router (Belkin ADSL2+) it says   Alert: Intrusion and then a long string of things that mean nothing to me. This happened about eight time in 30mins. No mention of resyncs that I could see. My speed has just gone back up to 1920kbps. Still hoping that it will reach the dizzy hights it used to. 

[Rik]

The security log is just showing you port probes. Can you borrow another router from anywhere? If the Belkin isn't logging loss of sync, it's less useful than it might be right now. One thing you can do is manually check the sync speed in the router at intervals - if the speed is changing, then you are losing sync.

Given the various figures you've had, it seems extremely likely that there is instability on the line. As Lance says, BT won't do anything until the 10 days are up, but you should make sure your own wiring is not implicated.

[Den]

The alerts that I have had have only happened today and speed checks have been pretty static at 1930 untill today. Its just that before I moved my ISP I was concerned if I dropped below 2500kbps and usually recorded 3500kbps (up to a few weeks ago my norm` was about 4300kbps). The best I ever got (briefly) just over 6000kbps, but I never expected it to be up there. 

[Rik]

Are you saying you were experiencing a falling profile before the migration?

[Den]

I`m saying that for a long time my speed was 4.3mB for quite a while. Sometimes it would seem to be nearer 3.5mB but I put that down to the time of day. I went through a spell when it was all over the place and BT admitted they had a bad joint and dug up the road outside my house. They could not find the joint (did not admit this, but the guys down the hole told me) a couple of days later it sorted and BT said that they fixed the joint (even though they could not find it). I suspect that they reconnected at term box about 400mtrs down the road.

[Rik]

So your speed is not as good as it has been at its best, and BT have done work on your line. However, you also seemed to be saying that your profile was variable with your previous ISP "I was concerned if I dropped below 2500kbps and usually recorded 3500kbps". That suggests you were re-syncing and the profile dropped. From everything else you've said, that has continued to happen with IDNet.

Your sync speed, and its resultant profile, are entirely a matter between your equipment, line and the exchange. Most of this is controlled by BT, your internal wiring and, possibly, your router could contribute to an unstable line. Have you checked your wiring, especially have you removed the ring wire? If your router doesn't log drops, as appears to be the case, then it would be worth calling support as they will be able to identify those for you.

If you are losing sync frequently, then IDNet can arrange for your line to be checked by BT and, if necessary, for an engineer to visit. Be aware, however, that if an engineer is sent out, and finds a fault in your wiring or equipment, then you will face a bill.

[Den]

I will drop the ring wire as soon as I can (just had a hip operation so got to carefull). I allways thought that the ring wire should be connected from the master socket onwards. What problems can it cause?

[Lance]

The ring wire acts as a massive antenna picking up lots of noise and feeding it straight onto your telephone line. It only has a use if you have a really, really old telephone which needs the current which comes down the wire to make it ring.

It should be disconnected from every socket, including all extensions and the master.

[Den]

  Are you Gods or wot?   Disconnected ring wire and checked router.

Down load: 7360  (Was 4704)          Up Load: 448

Noise margin changed from 5.4 to 5.1    and 21.0 to 23.0
Output Dbm                     19.4 to 19.8  and 11.9 (same)
Attenuation                     43.0 (same)   and 28.0 to 26.0

I assume BT will now adjust in their own time.  

[DorsetBoy]

I went through a spell when it was all over the place and BT admitted they had a bad joint and dug up the road outside my house. They could not find the joint (did not admit this, but the guys down the hole told me) a couple of days later it sorted and BT said that they fixed the joint (even though they could not find it). I suspect that they reconnected at term box about 400mtrs down the road.

Hmm sounds like the crew I had outside my house in Wareham............

[Rik]

Are you Gods or wot?

Would you expect less? 

Yes, if your line holds sync, your profile should float up.

[Lance]

Are you Gods or wot?

We try our best! It's ironic that Rik and I have two of the worst lines out of everyone on here!

I assume BT will now adjust in their own time.  

Just takes three full days!

[ReDGryphoN]

No no,

add my line and we can be the Three Amigos with the worst three lines !!!!

Lol

ReD

MAABOF

[Lance]

Added!!!

[Rik]

add my line and we can be the Three Amigos with the worst three lines !!!!

You show me your stats and I'll show you mine! 

Actually, I think Avenger would also be joining the club.

[Kheldar]

look we already know my line has the distinction of being the bestest one when it comes to line stats.

[ReDGryphoN]

I'll show you mine if you show me yours !!!!

Lol

ReD

MAABOF

[Den]

  Hi all, It seems BT has been mucking about and set my profile to low. Had a phone call from idnet today (Miriam) to say that she has contacted BT and that they have been having problems so they have agreed to set my profile higher in keeping with my line settings and it will now be back on the learning curve for the next 10days when I should be back up to the speeds expected.
Will let you know how it goes. Den 

[Lance]

You can always trust bt to cause problems somewhere along the line!

[Den]

Just two days to go, I can`t wait. First thing in the morning and some times during the day I can not retrieve emails or go onto the web, also sometimes everthing runs so slow. If I reboot my router it logs on and/or runs much faster. Top speed so far about 1930kbs. As the training period is up on Friday, what happens then? Do I wake up in the morning and all is well or does it some how happen during the day? Just don`t know what to expect. Although I have had to reboot my router, power has been left on 24/7.    In hope.

[Rik]

Hi Den

Friday will be a bit of an anti-climax I'm afraid as nothing will change, except that IDNet will be able to raise a fault with BT if necessary. TBH, the only thing that really happens during the 10 days is that your MSR and FTR are set (ask if you want to know what the acronyms stand for). Of these, FTR is the one that interests as is determines at what speed BT will consider a line faulty.

The problems accessing the web and/or email are not normal and we need to establish why that is happening. Can you post your line stats please?

[Den]

Tried to do a speed check (on bbmax) but it was so slow it did not start. Rebooted and tried again 1180 down and 358 up.

[Den]

Just checked router.
7168 down.  448up
Noise margin: 5.6dB    23dB
Output: 19.7dBm    11.9dBm
Attenuation:  43dB   26dBm

Hope this helps (I just want the speeds I was getting) 

[Den]

BT speedtest. Profile: 2000kbps.   Up: 448kbps.  Down: 7168kbps.   Actual:  1816kbps

On BBMax test it should have stated 1880kbps down not 1180kbps. SORRY

[Rik]

With a profile at 2000, it suggests your line has not been stable. Other than your own re-boots, have you noticed the connection dropping much?

Your throughput for the profile is slightly low, and you might be able to tweak another 40-50k out of your machine, however, that's nothing compared to the 6000 profile you should be on. To achieve that profile, you will have to hold the higher sync speed for three days.

Your priority, therefore, should be to ensure that there are no issues being caused by your internal wiring and then, armed with a BT speed test, to contact support. Do bear in mind that, if an engineer is sent out and he finds a fault within your internal wiring (after the master socket), you will be charged upwards of £150, so it's important to do all you can to check the wiring before raising a fault.

[Den]

   Hi all, My 10days were up on Friday. After talking to Andrew Friday and again Monday, BT once again admitted that the profile was set low and have now reset it on 6000  as from about 10.30 this morning. So I now have to see how it goes over the next 3days. At the moment throughput is 1066 how apt is that. . I will keep you informed, Den.

[Rik]

Good luck, don't go Hasting around too much! 

[DorsetBoy]

Ahh,another battle with BT then........

[Den]

I know it`s early days yet and my results will be all over the place for a few days, but I have just achieved 4190kbps on the BT test and 2400 on one of the others I now have lots of faith and am keeping every thing crossed.

[Rik]

You'll find typing hard with everything crossed. 

I'll cross my toes for you - it affects my typing less...

[Den]

I only uncross to type. This morning I achieved 5541kbps on the BT test  Still unstable and had to reboot as it was running slow at first but no doubt this will stablise as time goes by. I could end up a happy bunny.

[Rik]

Having to re-boot is odd, it sounds almost as if you were experiencing a stale session. Did you check the router stats before and after the re-boot?

[DorsetBoy]

I would resist the re-boots at present.Yesterday in particular there were noted problems with speed all over the net,I saw complaints at various sites and experienced low/variable speeds for @ 2 hours then it cleared again.
Blame the weather/Tony Blair/Geoege Bush or more likely our favourite.....BT

[Den]

Hi, Update on today.  Ran to BT tests:
1st at about 7.30am  IP throughput  5581  DSL connection rate  448 up  7008 down.
2nd at 10.20am    IP throughput   4090   DSL connection rate   448 up    7008 down.

Ran tests on speedtest.net
1st at 7.36am  Down: 3326   up: 382
2nd at 8.34am  Down: 1802  up: 382
3rd at 10.13am Down: 353   up: 382

Whats this all about?  When this happens this is when I reboot the router and speed increases (did not reboot this time). 

[Rik]

Is the line stable, ie are you seeing any re-syncs? (The BT speed tests suggest not. What profile did it report?)

Try a different tester, eg Namesco. Do you get more consistent results there?

Speed test sites can give a very distorted perception of what's going on. If their servers are busy, or the route from you to them is, they can give a low reading when there is no problem. I've found the Namesco test to be more consistent than most. Your best test, however, is to download a large file, eg Linux distro, and time that.

If you are getting the kind of variation from your connection that the figures indicate, it would suggest you may be on a congested exchange, check here.

[MoHux]

I hope Rik won't feel he has to delete this (competitor). 

I find these  files invaluable for speed checks.

HTH

[Rik]

I'm not that censorious, Mo, I had a link to PlusNet.

[MoHux]

   Cheers Rik.

[Den]

Rik, Thanks for all your help (so far). The profile on BT test is now set on 6000 so far so good.   

[Rik]

Let us know how you get on.

[Den]

Hi, Just thought you would like to hear that I have just a all time low record.
IP Profile: 6000kbps
Down-stream: 7008kbps
Up-stream: 448kbps
Actual IP throughput:   wait for it...........................55kbps   

[Rik]

Was that the BT tester? Have you tried the Namesco one I linked? Have you checked your exchange status? If you look at your router logs/stats, do they list errors? Finally , what MTU/RWIN are you using?

[Den]

That was on BT tester. Yes I have used Namesco speed test, usually ok but just ran it and download was 163kbps. The exchange is showing green with no problems. MTU set on 1492 (Belkin router ASDL2 with wireless Gplus router) This is the highest setting allowed on this modem/router. How do I check router log/stats?

[Den]

Just rebooted modem and speed on Namesco went uo to 2395kbps. I try not to reboot but when this happens what else can I do if I want to continue?

[Rik]

If both speed tests are playing up, it's less likely to be a tester issue. An MTU of 1492 shouldn't be causing problems, but are both Windows and the router using the same value? How about RWIN, what is that set to?

You can find info on several Belkin routers at http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/frogstats.htm.

Can you borrow a different router, or do you have a USB modem you could try with, that would then eliminate your equipment.

You shouldn't need to re-boot to obtain normal speeds, so if you can try a different router or modem, it will help to establish whether the router itself might be causing problems. Is it unduly warm, or is the power supply?

[Den]

Router mtu set on 1492 but windows was set on 1500    Now both set on 1492.

six tests on Namesco are as follows

3771,  2164,  1380,  830,  2161,  3628.   all tests taken over 30mins.

[Rik]

I still need to know what RWIN is set to, that setting can have a big impact on speed.

Clearly, with that sort of variation, something appears to be wrong. Normally, I'd expect it to be exchange congestion, but that's been ruled out. At the moment, I'm thinking that you may have random noise on the line and that this is causing errors and re-transmits. Have you been able to get any error count from the router? If not, then contact support and they can run some tests.

[Den]

Morning Rik 

My RWIN setting is 522720  with MTU of 1492.
BT speedcheck this morning of 5335kbps    Profile: 6000

Went to computer this morning all lights on on modem/router. Turned on computer, after 5mins returned and Red light on internet sinc and no connection or emails. Rebooted modem, green light came on and thats when I checked speed.

[Rik]

Hi Den

Have you ever tried a different router? I'm beginning to wonder if that's the problem. If you can borrow one, it would be worth eliminating your own hardware. After that, I think you need to talk to support. Clearly, your line is capable of delivering the speed it should, the question is what is happening to stall the router.

[MoHux]

Rik, just now Den said his router was a Belkin ADSL2.  If the modulation type is set at ADSL2 wouldn't this cause instability? 

[Rik]

I suppose it would, Mo. I've never tried it, tbh. Den - have you checked the router settings?

[DorsetBoy]

My routers are all adsl 2/2+,makes no difference at all,they seek the correct settings at set up.

[Rik]

That's what I'd expect, Dorset, but if the router isn't doing that, it could explain the problem possibly?

[DorsetBoy]

The protocols are supposed to be backwardly compatible,more likely to just be a duff router.
Always have a working spare even if it was £5.00 from free ads.

[Rik]

Indeed. The problem I find with supposed to be is that it often isn't. Certainly, I feel that Den would be well served to check with another router. Like you, I always keep a spare.

[Den]

Morning     Just turned on and the same thing I had to reboot before I could get on the net. Then I had a thought, on advice I had run TCP optimizer so I rechecked the settings and noticed that the box for ppp0e was ticked. I un-ticked the box and restarted the computer and it stayed logged on. Could it have been something as simple as that (or simple as me).   

[Rik]

If the router was trying to negotiate PPPoE, it could certainly get confused (though I have seen it work). Check in your router interface that the settings are correct.

[DorsetBoy]

Could be,see what happens over the next couple of days.

[Den]

  Hi, Thanks for all your help up to now. I will let you know if this as cured the problem over the next few days (in the morning if it has not). Just ran BT test.

Profile 6000kbps
down on modem: 7392kbps
up on modem; 448kbps

Actual :  4371kbps        The best so far 5335kbps       

So glad I came to idnet. Den

[Rik]

Let's hope this does solve the problems, Den. If not, let us know.

[Den]

   Speed dropped and needed to use the web for work (speedtester would not even start). Rebooted modem out of frustation and speed increased. Did BT test and found my profile has been lifted from 6000 to 6500kbps.
contention down was 7232kbps and IP throughput was 5519kbps. Strange but getting better (I think) .

[Rik]

I'm still wondering whether the router is the cause of your problems, Den. Can you borrow another from anyone?

[Lance]

From reading through this I would also suggest the router to be the problem.

[MoHux]

The reason I asked the question about ADSL2/2+ was because my DLink router has a box to set the modulation type.

This box lists all types covered, but, for dumbos like me it has two sub-headings 'ADSL2/2+ Multimode', and 'ADSL Multimode' (for Multimode read 'Auto').

My logic was that if 2/2+ covered all ........ why put in the other?

Still 

[Rik]

Valid thinking, Mo, and it could be the cause of the problem. Certainly, at the moment, everything seems to suggest something is not right with the router.

[Den]

   Hi all, See I do listen. I could not accept that my 1year old Belkin router could be causing the problems but, just bought a BT 2700HGV modem/router on ebay as recomended. Pluged it in and found it very easy to set up. Then I ran speed checks and found on three tests all were above 5300kbps. Ran Bt test and this was above 4000kbps but noticed that my profile was now set on 5500kbps (why) it has always been 6000 except for one test when it was 6500. How I hand out and receive karmas.
Keep you posted. Another content idnet fan. Den

[Rik]

If the Belkin had generated a low-sync event, Den, it would have dropped your profile. This will recover if the new router holds sync OK. Belkin equipment has a lifetime warranty, doesn't it? In which case, get it sorted by them and either keep it as a spare, or flog it to offset the cost of the new box.

[Den]

Hi, Just to keep you all in the picture. Profile still at 5500kbps. Sync has been held since the BT2700HGV router was added and after about 15 speed checks I am still gettin about 5300kbps on each test. On the BT test it usually comes back with about 5065kbps. Well happy with idnet and just think if or when my profile raises my speeds could go even faster.   

[MoHux]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Den, I hope you've finally cracked it! 

Enjoy 

[Den]

          Oh boy am I happy. My profile has gone back up to 6000k 
BT Test: Up; 7456kbps  down; 448kbps.  Throughput; 5603kbps.

speedtest.net     the best so far (taken just after bt test)  5779kbps

Is the BT 2700HGV router good or what.  Happy to be with idnet.



edit to change from 5700HGV to 2700HGV, to save any confusion

[Lance]

Glad it's working out for you, Den! Making me jealous!

[Den]

Hi, I seem to be doing a three day update, so BT are watching and doing their job. Speedtest.net today registered at 6277 and 6285kbps so I assume the profile has been boosted to 6500k. IDNET and BT 2700HGV seem to like each other. 

[Lance]

IDNET and BT 2700HGV seem to like each other. 

I hope they will in my case too!