Outage

[Moonshine]

Hello!

Newbie here again, so please be gentle

I received the following message when clicking on "Feeds" just now:-

"04 June 2008, 22:17:33
Service: Broadband
Posted: 04 June 2008 21:17:48
Updated: 04 June 2008 21:17:48
Status:In Progress
Message: one of our Centrals had a brief outage earlier this evening (04/06) at approximately 19.20pm that is now fixed but has
left some customers with stale sessions. Powering-down the router/modem for about 30 minutes should fix it".

I did try to get online around that time, and it wouldn't let me (my home page is Google, and it said it was "looking for Google", but then came back with the page I always dread (having had it constantly with Orange!), which reads "Internet Explorer could not display the page".  I am glad to hear this problem is sorted now, but could someone please explain to me what "powering down the modem" is?  My service has resumed and seems fine now, so do I need to do anything with my modem (it's a wired D-Link ethernet)?  I'm reluctant to do anything to it since my connection is now working!

Also, I've seen a lot of posts on here regarding speed, speed tests and the like.  Being a complete novice, I am trying to find my way around this site, and am trying to self-teach myself a little about the things I should be fairly competent in (that should probably read "confident"!).  I have just run a speed test, though really don't understand the results.  To be honest, as long as pages are loading okay and are not taking forever to load, I'm not sure I should be concerned about my speed.  But then on the other hand, I'm wondering if I ought to keep on top of what my speed is, and know whether it is correct for me and my package (which is now Home Max).

Speed test results are as follows (from Speedtest.net):-

Test using recommended server (which was London).
Download: 2908kbps
Upload: 374
Distance: 50 mi
Ping: 69 ms  (what's a ping??!!)

I guess all I need to know is whether this is right for my package, the distance etc etc.  I've noticed many other people's posts on here who seem to have a speed of 7000kbps +.  Am I missing something, or shouldn't I be worried?! 

Help accepted on a first come, first served basis!!

Okay, you can all stop wetting yourselves laughing now....

Moonshine.

[wrtpeeps]

Powering down means turning it off for 30 mins to let it "flush out" stale sessions.

[Simon]

I think it's quite important to power down the router by switching it off at the mains, rather than just unplugging, as this is a 'gentler' way to power down.

As for speed tests, the best one to try, Moonshine, is http://test.speedtester.bt.com:50301/, but it can be a little bit troublesome to get to work, and it's usually more successful to try it in the mornings, when the networks are generally a bit quieter. 

[Sebby]

What Simon said.

[Moonshine]

Good morning.

Many thanks for advice!

I've done a speed test this morning, using the tester as advised, and these are the results:-

Throughput speed is 3000k
Actual IP throughput 2766
Upstream 448kbps
Downstream 3904 kbps

So, on the basis of the above, are these figures normal?

Many thanks.

Moonshine.

[merlin]

moonshine, this subject is like a drug ,once you get into it , its very difficult to get off,
so you have two choices "forget it "
or read this forum regularly, and have a good read of RIKS sticky, that's the best guide around

go with it ,go on you know you want to !!!

[Rik]

Throughput speed is 3000k
Actual IP throughput 2766
Upstream 448kbps
Downstream 3904 kbps

The figures are spot on, Moonshine. You're right at the top end of the sync speed range for a 3M profile, so if you can improve your internal wiring at all, you might sneak into the 3.5M range.

[Moonshine]

Thanks very much for that.

Nope, I'm more than happy with sticking with what I've got!  I can't be fiddling about with wires and things.  As long as it works, and I'm achieving the speed I'm supposed to be achieving, well, that's good enough for me.  However, if I'm at a loose end and fancy some pre-bedtime reading, I'll be sure to log on and read Rik's guide! 

[Rik]

I'll be sure to log on and read Rik's guide! 

It guarantees to cure insomnia at a stroke.

[Sebby]

All looks perfect, Moonshine.

[RogerP]

Hi Everyone

It's now 17.44 and since 17.30 I have had 4 losses of of the internet and 2 BT referral pages.

This is the first time since I installed the 2700HGV I have lost a connection, anyone else having probs tonight???

would be interested to hear

Cheers

RogerP

[Rik]

No problems here, Roger. Is the router losing sync?

[RogerP]

Hi Again

Just got back online

these are my current readings for a 2meg fixed line

DSL Line (Wire Pair):     Line 1 (inner pair)
Protocol:    G.DMT Annex A
Downstream Rate:    2272 kbps
Upstream Rate:    288 kbps
Channel:    Fast
Current Noise Margin:    10.0 dB (Downstream) 20.0 dB (Upstream)
Current Attenuation:    63.0 dB (Downstream) 31.5 dB (Upstream)
Current Output Power:    17.8 dBm (Downstream) 12.2 dBm (Upstream)
DSLAM Vendor Information:    Country: {0xB5} Vendor: {TSTC} Specific: {0x00}
PVC Info:    0/38

Cheers

RogerP

[RogerP]

Hi Rik

Internet link light is just going red and a BT webpage flashes up

I would point out my noise level on downstream has dropped 2-3 db since putting in this 2700hgv

rogerp

[Rik]

That noise margin is low for a fixed rate product, otoh, on that attenuation you should only be on a 512k service.

From your subsequent post, it sounds like your are losing PPP (the Internet light), in which case you need to let IDNet know (0800 0267237) or support @idnet.net.

[RogerP]

Hi Rik

It would appear my 2700HGV has reverted back to it's original settings ie : VC 0/35 instead of 0/38 and is bridged LLC instead of Routed VC-Mux.
don't understand why but I wil try to reset back again to my own settings.!!

Cheers anyway

RogerP

[Rik]

Hi Roger

IDNet can't tell, because you're on a fixed rate product, whether you're losing sync or not. However, that noise margin is very low.

Can you watch out for it happening again, and, if it does,:

1) What does the BT webpage say?
2) Is it only the internet light flashing red, and not the broadband light?
3) What do the router's logs show?
4) Is it a single or dual SSID model 2700, and which version of the firmware are you running?
5) Do you still have your previous router, could you switch that back in to see if it helps?

The reversion suggests that all may not be well with the router. Try a factory reset, push a paper clip in the hole on the read with the router powered up, then release (I'd disconnect from the phone line first). Once it has re-booted, re-enter your settings, then connect to the phone line again.

[Sebby]

As Rik says, you shouldn't be on a fixed 2Mb service with attenuation of 63dB. That said, if the noise margin was 10dB, that's okay, but it looks like there might be quite a bit of noise around.

Do you have a master socket with a removable bottom plate? If so, you could remove the bottom, and connect the router to the socket behind it (the test socket). See if your noise margin is any better/more stable.

[RogerP]

Hi everyone

Well have done as you suggested switched off router for about 3/4 hour, did a factory reset re-entered my settings IDNet etc, everything seems to be back to normal.

I would point out we have had a terrific storm here in N Wales and thunder have been out to take wife to her club and all the local petrol stations are out of action comps are out due lightening etc

I will see how I get on.

DSL Line (Wire Pair):     Line 1 (inner pair)
Protocol:    G.DMT Annex A
Downstream Rate:    2272 kbps
Upstream Rate:    288 kbps
Channel:    Fast
Current Noise Margin:    12.0 dB (Downstream) 22.0 dB (Upstream)
Current Attenuation:    61.2 dB (Downstream) 31.5 dB (Upstream)
Current Output Power:    17.6 dBm (Downstream) 12.3 dBm (Upstream)
DSLAM Vendor Information:    Country: {0xB5} Vendor: {TSTC} Specific: {0x00}
PVC Info:    0/38
These are the settings as of now

To answer your questions
firmware is 5.29.117.6
Bt dual SSID 2700HGV
Web page just states loss of internet connection and gives me the option to try and re-establish the connection.
Have tried an old Linksys router and had a coonection problem with that, had to fiddle about a bit to get it working.
As of now 20.22 eveything seems to back to normal and working 2700 up and running OK

RogerP

[Sebby]

Just keep an eye on the noise margin. It looks fine at its current level, and given that it's higher now than it was earlier on, that would suggest something not quite right before (evening/night is normally more noisy).

[RogerP]

Cheers Sebby

I am still getting dis-connections and have just found out a contractor has cut thro' some BT cables in the village, loads of openreach vans in village

[Sebby]

Ah, well that could've affected it.

[Simon]

That sounds like your answer Roger.   

Oh, and  

[Philip]

Cheers Sebby

I am still getting dis-connections and have just found out a contractor has cut thro' some BT cables in the village, loads of openreach vans in village

It certainly won't help  hope it gets fixed soon 

[MoHux]

Cheers Sebby

I am still getting dis-connections and have just found out a contractor has cut thro' some BT cables in the village, loads of openreach vans in village

QUICK!!  On your bike!

Get down there, and tell them what a wonderfull ADSL Max connection you had until they cut the cables!!



Mo

[Rik]

I would point out we have had a terrific storm here in N Wales and thunder have been out to take wife to her club and all the local petrol stations are out of action comps are out due lightening etc

It's a good habit to disconnect the router from the phone line and the mains when there is thunder around. If you get a different earth potential at the exchange to where you are (and the longer the line, the greater the chance), then the current will flow through the phone line to the lower earth potential, usually frying the router as it does so.