Started last night?

[Gary]

Them I understand... sort of. 

[ducky22]

Unfortunately what IDNet have said regarding MS servers is a pack of lies... There is just no way that was the issue when the trace route was falling out immediately after an IDNet router in redbus (one of them). My trace route is somewhere in this thread. There are at least 2-3 public hops before you hit a Microsoft datacentre.

This has disappointed me.

[weevil]

Same problems here - slow yesterday afternoon onwards - fine this morning.

Starting to go slower again now.

[ducky22]

I'm also now seeing regular packet loss to several datacentres across the pond. For me that's a nightmare and I'm about to swap to my datacard.

I'm really annoyed that there hasn't been an official announcement regarding this from IDNet. To simply blame the Olympics is pathetic because that isn't the issue.

http://www.idnet.net/support/status.jsp - "Good Service" - yeah right...

[Dopamine]

I must say that IDNet's explanation sounds doubtful to me too, rather like the nonsense I used to get from Tiscali's helpline when I was with Pipex.

I only came to look at the forum yesterday when my speeds started slowing, and a lot of IDNet customers seem to be having the same speed issues. At the same time, I was able to speak to users from BT, BE, Pipex/Tiscali, and Eclipse. None of those users was seeing any change in speed at all.

The Olympics have been on since the 8th August. Why then is this thread titled "Started last night?".

I'm also just about to call support. Yesterday I was promised twice that I would be called back concerning problems with one of my lines. As yet, nothing. I'm not happy.

[Simon]

I thought it had been documented elsewhere that the Olympics is affecting other ISPs, not just IDNet, so there must be some relevance in that, surely?  It's not something they could reasonably have foreseen, as has been explained.  Can't comment on the MS thing, as I only know what we have been told.

[PetFish]

The problems are back, getting 2meg down now instead of 7 earlier this morn

[Dopamine]

I thought it had been documented elsewhere that the Olympics is affecting other ISPs, not just IDNet, so there must be some relevance in that, surely?  It's not something they could reasonably have foreseen, as has been explained.  Can't comment on the MS thing, as I only know what we have been told.

Yes, the Olympics probably are affecting traffic, but suddenly as of yesterday? This isn't just a slight slowdown for me, it's speeds dropping from a consistent 6.5mbps to well below 200kbps at times, and it only started yesterday.

[Inactive]

Normal speed here for me.. give or take..

[Inactive]

Similar at Namesco;

Download Speed: 6342 kbps (792.8 KB/sec )   Upload Speed: 380 kbps (47.5 KB/sec )

[Rik]

I've just checked again with IDNet. There was an issue with direct peering to MS sites which hit yesterday afternoon, and which was being worked on overnight. They have not seen signs of it so far today, and checking myself, I can get onto MS sites OK (though I don't use MSN). The more general congestion caused by the Olympics, though, has no quick fix, bandwidth usage has increased by 20% in the past few days, not only affecting IDNet but, I suspect, many BT exchanges.

[Simon]

So, just to clarify, Rik, the MS issue hit IDNet specifically, and has now been fixed, yes?  The Olympics issue is affecting BT networks, so not just IDNet, and this should clear once the Olympics have finished?  A case of sh*t happens?

[ducky22]

If a 20% increase is traffic is causing packet loss (ONLY over the pond) then IDNet really aren't the ISP that I thought they were. Speed doesn't bother me at all. But packet loss does, especially when in the middle of an SSH session.

I hope they come out with another reason soon.

It certainly isn't a case of **** happens. If 20% increase is causing this much of a problem then IDNet are overselling their service a lot more than I expected. More so than Zen. It would seem to be a simple case of too little bandwidth.

[Rik]

So, just to clarify, Rik, the MS issue hit IDNet specifically, and has now been fixed, yes?  The Olympics issue is affecting BT networks, so not just IDNet, and this should clear once the Olympics have finished?  A case of **** happens?

Yes and yes. IDNet have direct peering with MS and that failed somewhere along the route. The bandwidth demand by users of iPlayer has been a learning curve for all ISPs, and should clear as the games end. A permanent solution, though, is more tricky, but will become easier when BT deliver on WBC.

[Rik]

I hope they come out with another reason soon.

I only know what I get told when I phone up to get information before posting, Ducky. If you don't find the answer acceptable, I can only suggest that you call yourself.

[rgt247]

I thought it had been documented elsewhere that the Olympics is affecting other ISPs, not just IDNet

There are details here from Plusnets site of there iPlayer traffic.. I assume IDnet has similar graphs/usage.  Click Here

[Rik]

I'm sure IDNet have something similar, Rich, though I don't have access to it.

I found the end of the piece particularly interesting:

"We are though starting to see a real change, as the Olympics have gone on the number of people watching has increased, the peak on the bandwidth has increased and the length of time has stretched.

What's probably happening is that people are telling their friends they've been watching the Olympics online while they are work and the great success of the British team is certainly helping people to enjoy the coverage.

Definitely, the usage is building as the games go on (possibly also because the sports now being shown have a wider appeal?).

In addition:

"It would also be interesting to know how many of the people watching online are first time users of iPlayer and whether they will continue to use it once the Olympics have finished and how peoples' ongoing behaviour will change."

covers a point I discussed with Tim earlier. Clearly, all ISPs will be monitoring this situation carefully.

[Danni]

Getting worse again now:

    Your DSL connection rate: 8128 kbps(DOWN-STREAM),  832 kbps(UP-STREAM)
    IP profile for your line is - 7150 kbps
    Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 3919 kbps

I can live with the slower speeds while the Olympics are on so I'm not complaining (yet), but if my World of Warcraft gets affected, I won't be happy.

[rgt247]

Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test:  -provides background information.
    Your DSL connection rate: 8128 kbps(DOWN-STREAM),  448 kbps(UP-STREAM)
    IP profile for your line is - 7150 kbps
    Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 3957 kbps

Very similar to Danni perhaps its because of the Mens 200 m final on now.

[Rik]

That's a fair guess, Rich.

[ippylad]

Hmmm

Im paying 34.99  a month for this..... not over impressed!

Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test:  -provides background information.
    Your DSL connection rate: 8128 kbps(DOWN-STREAM),  832 kbps(UP-STREAM)
    IP profile for your line is - 6500 kbps
    Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 2724 kbps

what is it Idnet say...

" With priority given at the exchange over standard ADSL traffic, Home SuperMax offers even faster speeds especially at peak times."

[psp83]

gezzz, stop the whinging, you know what the problem is.. if its out of IDnets hands then theres nothing they can do.. simple as that..

Blame BBC for the iPlayer if you want anyone to blame.

Wait a few days and it'll be back to normal..

And yes i have the problems aswell.
Microsoft issue seems to be sorted tonight.
xbox live, windows live messenger etc is working for me.

[Tacitus]

......Clearly, all ISPs will be monitoring this situation carefully.

There's an intersting post here over on the Zen forum on TB.  Clearly the Olympics are resulting in usage spikes for Zen and I doubt it's any different for iDNet. 

The interesting thing is the fact that they see a spike related to a particular event, so it's quite possible that usage has increased later on in the games as interest gathered.  Channel 4 had something similar a few years ago when England looked like winning the Ashes.  No interest at first but then massively increased viewing figures.   

I'm not trying to defend iDNet since I don't use them - just trying to offer possible explanations.

[psp83]

http://www.idnet.net/support/status.jsp - "Good Service" - yeah right...

If you log in, it tells you different.
https://www.idnet.net/secure/account/status.jsp

Announcement
2008-08-20 07:42 - 2008-08-20 07:42
Sub-Optimal Service
Status: Partial Service
We have as seen a sharp increase in traffic across our network this week, due to the popularity of the Olympics online. This is not only affecting our network but also many exchanges, Internet transit links, and other ISPs that we peer with are also affected. As a result, many users are likely to experience slower speeds than usual, especially during peak hours

[David]

Roll on the weekend and these P@%y games are over with.....This is not Exclusive to IDnet....so there is nothing anyone can do......good link for the TB.

I think blaming the BBC is a brilliant plan........I like New Tricks though,c.mon its nearly over and we can get back to normal  which in my case is not recommended