Slow Internet Performance/packet loss

[wtaylor82]

Hi guys,
I'm hoping people can help why i can't get hold of tech support.

My internet connection is running relatively slow. From a 10mb connection installed two weeks ago I am received around 1 to 3 Mb on average, with the max I have recorded at 5.5mb

I've tried the following:

1. unplug the cable modem for 30 secs
2. replug in the cable modem and run the speed test. connection via router
3. unplug the cable modem for 30 secs
4. replug in the cable modem and directly connect via pc
5. ran an exhaustive virus, spyware and all other un-nicety check via my virus scanner and online via trendmicro
6. ran a exhaustive spead check giving information just as packet loss. Results posted below.
7. connect to the root console of the ambit 250 cable modem and gathered logs to aid any support.

Could I point out that I am not a heavy user such as a p2p user, maybe a bit of online gaming, downloads from work, email, surfing etc.

Here is the details from my cable modem console, via 192.168.100.1

----
Boot Code Version : 2.1.6d
Software Version : 2.94.1010
Hardware Version : 1.19

Acquire a Downstream Channel 586750000 Hz Locked
Connectivity State OK Operational
Boot State OK Operational

Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 1
Downstream Frequency : 586750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM64
Downstream Symbol Rate : 6952 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps12Increment17
Downstream Receive Power Level : 4.8 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 37.0 dB

Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 4
Upstream Frequency : 46400000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 47.0 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

Network Access : Allowed
Maximum Downstream Data Rate : 10240000
Maximum Upstream Data Rate : 512000
Maximum Upstream Channel Burst : 1600
Maximum Number of CPEs : 1
Modem Capability : Concatenation Enabled, Fragametation Enabled, PHS Disabled

First Time Last Time Counts Level ID Text
Time Not Established Time Not Established 24 Critical(3) 68000300 DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Time Not Established Time Not Established 1 Critical(3) 82000200 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Time Not Established Time Not Established 2 Critical(3) 84000200 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC f...
Time Not Established Time Not Established 1 Critical(3) 84000100 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/Q...

---

Results of speedtest via cableforum
Sat, 17 Mar 2007 16:45:32 UTC

1st 512K took 1547 ms = 331 KB/sec, approx 2727 Kbps, 2.66 Mbps
2nd 512K took 922 ms = 555.3 KB/sec, approx 4576 Kbps, 4.47 Mbps
3rd 512K took 2484 ms = 206.1 KB/sec, approx 1698 Kbps, 1.66 Mbps
4th 512K took 1375 ms = 372.4 KB/sec, approx 3069 Kbps, 3 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 3018 Kbps, 2.95 Mbps
---

Results of speedtest via altenative source

Speed Test Report 07/03/17 16:38 - Full test

Test conducted at: 17/03/2007 16:38:59
Test sequence: Full test

Please note that these results are a snapshot of this particular moment. Run the test a few times to ensure maximum accuracy. Although the test has been constructed to be highly accurate, no guarantees can be made to the level of accuracy experienced in everyday use.

Test 1: Ping times to UK servers

Ideally, you should get a result of around 30 ms (lower is better)

meto.gov.uk: 48.5 ms
clara.net: 29.8 ms
vantage.myby.co.uk: 49.5 ms
linx.net: 52.8 ms

This result is much poorer than expected and should be investigated.

Test 2: Ping times to European servers

Ideally, you should get a result of around 50 ms (lower is better)

eu.uu.net: 28 ms
tu-berlin.de: 62.8 ms
eu.uu.net: 36.3 ms
lycos.es: 52.5 ms

The results of this test indicate no problems.

Test 3: Ping times to east-coast USA servers

Ideally, you should get a result of around 120 ms (lower is better)

helios.dii.utk.edu: This test failed due to a server timeout or other error.
ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu: This test failed due to a server timeout or other error.
aeneas.mit.edu: 126 ms
helios.dii.utk.edu: 441 ms

Your ping times are slightly poorer than expected.

Test 4: Ping times to west-coast USA servers

Ideally, you should get a result of around 160 ms (lower is better)

stanford.edu: 176.3 ms
mirrors.usc.edu: 161.8 ms
ucla.edu: 166 ms
ucla.edu: 169.8 ms

The results of this test indicate no problems.

Test 5: Ping times to east Asia servers

Ideally, you should get a result of around 300 ms (lower is better)

opensourcecommunity.ph: 432 ms
meisei-u.ac.jp: This test failed due to a server timeout or other error.
apache.cdpa.nsysu.edu.tw: 405.3 ms
meisei-u.ac.jp: This test failed due to a server timeout or other error.

The results of this test indicate no problems.

Test 6: Ping times to Australian servers

Ideally, you should get a result of around 350 ms (lower is better)

apache.planetmirror.com.au: 342 ms
planetmirror.com: 366.3 ms
apache.planetmirror.com.au: 353.7 ms
apache.ausgamers.com: 391 ms

The results of this test indicate no problems.

Test 7: Ping times to central Asian servers

Ideally, you should get a result of around 300 ms (lower is better)

apache.dnepr.net: 88.3 ms
oynasana.com: 88 ms
opensourcecommunity.ph: 414.7 ms
apache.rinet.ru: 78.8 ms

The results of this test indicate no problems.

Test 8: Download speeds from UK servers

Ideally, you should get a result of around 1000 Kb/s (higher is better)

mirrorservice.org: 1731 Kb/s

The results of this test indicate no problems.

Test 9: Download speeds from European servers

Ideally, you should get a result of around 1000 Kb/s (higher is better)

rediris.es: This test failed due to a server timeout or other error.

Too many server errors occurred therefore this test is inconclusive.

Test 10: Download speeds from east-coast USA servers

Ideally, you should get a result of around 1000 Kb/s (higher is better)

mirrors.ccs.neu.edu: 665 Kb/s

This result is much poorer than expected and should be investigated.

Test 11: Upload speeds to the Speed Test Server

Ideally, you should get a result of around 500 Kb/s (higher is better)

Not conducted: You must register this software in order to perform this test.

Please click 'What's This?' for information on registering this software to enable this test.

Test 12: Packet loss en route to a UK server

Ideally, you should get a result of around 0 % (lower is better)

cardiff.ac.uk: 0 %
cardiff.ac.uk: 2 %

A small amount of packet loss has been detected. This should be investigated.

Test 13: Packet loss en route to a European server

Ideally, you should get a result of around 0 % (lower is better)

uni-kl.de: 0 %
univ-rennes1.fr: 0 %

The results of this test indicate no problems.

Test 14: Packet loss en route to an east-coast USA server

Ideally, you should get a result of around 0 % (lower is better)

mirrors.ptd.net: 16 %
mirrors.ptd.net: 18 %

An unacceptable level of packet loss has been detected which should be investigated.

End of testing.

This report was collated using Dan Elwell's Broadband Speed Test. For more information or to download, please visit www.broadbandspeedtest.net.

[shadyrome]

I am having the same problem, in the morning its fine i can download at 1.2mb per sec, even tho i am on 4mb broadband, and in the afternoon it drop to 320kb

[Kweefy]

Hi Wayne,

Firstly, call faults if you feel there is a fault: 151 from your NTL phone.

A number of things could be effecting your broadband connection. Some questions to help us help you :)

- Do you have any firewalling software installed?
- How is your SACM connected to your PC, via USB or Ethernet Cable?
- Do you use a router?
- Are there any specific times during the day when the connection is good/bad?
- What area are you in?

As I said previsouly, there are a lot of factors that could be effecting performance of your connection.

Kweefy

[wtaylor82]

Hi Kweefy,
Thanks for your advise.

I'm not sure if it's a fault, I have a feeling I maybe on a bandwidth pipe shared with a high user, the reason why i don't think i have a fault is the actual connection is constant. I can view pages at all times, packet loss in the UK is low if any at all.

The answers to your questions:
- I have a firewall installed. However I have tried disabling it and still get the same results.
- I connect to the cable modem via ethernet
- I have tried connection via the router and pc directly with the same results
- I can't really give performance stats during the daytime as I work 9 till 5 and i have my cable modem switched off during these times. As mentioned I am not a heavy user like most so have no need for it to be on 24-7 like BitTorrent users
- I am in the Manchester area.


- My router is secured via WPA-AES 256 Bit Security with Mac Filtering. I have checked the router to ensure there is only one connected user.
- I am getting excellent connection in my room were I am receiving the wireless connection
- I have checked all settings on my pc + security settings to ensure no conflicts are in place.

Any suggestions

[papa smurf]

call cs your modem might be faulty ther nocked out by the thousands in asian sweat shop factories , get them to see what speed your modem is set to run at [its all done remotly] and allso wireless routers never do what it says on the box speeds can varyfrom 300kbs-9.9mbs/in the same room [10mb..bb] and the signal streangth nearly allways says exellent

[martin42h]

Try a speed test early in the morning, say 7 am. I find that on my 10 Mb connection, I can reliably get 9-10 Mb at this time, but later in the day more like 4-7 Mb. I consider this perfectly reasonable as speed tests like everything else on the Internet are affected by all sorts of factors, some under the control of VM, most not. At least if you can get near the rated speed early in the morning, you probably don't have a fault.

[danjw]

can anyone tell me where this guy got the full speed test from, checking pings ect?

[homealone]

can anyone tell me where this guy got the full speed test from, checking pings ect?

http://www.broadbandspeedtest.net/

the free version is slightly feature limited, compared to the full (pay for) version :)

[danjw]

thankyou

[wtaylor82]

Hi guys, finally got through to Broadband Tech. OK - anyone in Denton area of Manchester and close proximity Virgin have logged an issue with the server. The tech went through the bog standard things and then some more advance checks, checking downloads. He found the packet loss was a bit high and spoke to 2nd Line support.

2nd line support have now raised the incident and over the next few days the issue will be resolved. The NTL server status page can be used for further updates apparently.

Regards
Wayne

---------- Post added at 16:04 ---------- Previous post was at 15:50 ----------

oh guys, have a look at this speedtest, why the tech guy was mucking about.

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 16:03:37 UTC

1st 512K took 31 ms = 16516.1 KB/sec, approx 136093 Kbps, 132.9 Mbps
2nd 512K took 15 ms = 34133.3 KB/sec, approx 281258 Kbps, 274.67 Mbps
3rd 512K took 16 ms = 32000 KB/sec, approx 263680 Kbps, 257.5 Mbps
4th 512K took 16 ms = 32000 KB/sec, approx 263680 Kbps, 257.5 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 236178 Kbps, 230.64 Mbps

[janipewter]

Speedtest was cached lol, hold CTRL and press F5.

[AmAtoL]

My 10 meg atm is 1.32.
I can live with that as long as it was a good connection, but when coupled with the packet loss it makes gaming a nightmare. Been like that all day and longer I shouldn't wonder.
I'm in Hazel Grove wayne so not that far from you, I do hope they have a genuine local issue, then there might be a chance we can get it sorted.

[popper]

to rule out your installed OS download a simple linux livecd, burn&boot that and run your tests with that as it wont install or interfer with your installed OS.

its been said before that several firewalls will slow you down even when de-activated, you dont say what windows firewall you use but mostly a full uninstall is required to remove the special binarys they include.

if your using a wireless card to connect your machine to the wireless router (11g?/make-model?) then it might be a problem for linux as drivers are not as standard there, so temp re-wire your machine direct to the CM then boot the livecd to be sure.

something like SLAX Standard Edition
http://www.slax.org/download.php
should be more than good enough to test.

[valor]

If its any consolation Ime in Teesside area and my speed is constant at around 9.4mbps on a 10mbps connection, ime behind Sygate Firewall.
This very rarely changes and if anything can be slightly higher up to highest recorded 9.94mbps.

[wtaylor82]

to rule out your installed OS download a simple linux livecd, burn&boot that and run your tests with that as it wont install or interfer with your installed OS.

its been said before that several firewalls will slow you down even when de-activated, you dont say what windows firewall you use but mostly a full uninstall is required to remove the special binarys they include.

if your using a wireless card to connect your machine to the wireless router (11g?/make-model?) then it might be a problem for linux as drivers are not as standard there, so temp re-wire your machine direct to the CM then boot the livecd to be sure.

something like SLAX Standard Edition
http://www.slax.org/download.php
should be more than good enough to test.

Already tried both a Windows [Media Centre] and Linux System [PHLAK]

I've tried connect via Wireless and Directly via Ethernet
As mentioned NTL have said its a local issue and should be resolved soon, due to the high number of complaints in my area.

Speedtest this morning:
Mon, 19 Mar 2007 07:12:48 UTC

1st 512K took 656 ms = 780.5 KB/sec, approx 6431 Kbps, 6.28 Mbps
2nd 512K took 687 ms = 745.3 KB/sec, approx 6141 Kbps, 6 Mbps
3rd 512K took 719 ms = 712.1 KB/sec, approx 5868 Kbps, 5.73 Mbps
4th 512K took 672 ms = 761.9 KB/sec, approx 6278 Kbps, 6.13 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 6180 Kbps, 6.04 Mbps

---------- Post added at 07:14 ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 ----------

My 10 meg atm is 1.32.
I can live with that as long as it was a good connection, but when coupled with the packet loss it makes gaming a nightmare. Been like that all day and longer I shouldn't wonder.
I'm in Hazel Grove wayne so not that far from you, I do hope they have a genuine local issue, then there might be a chance we can get it sorted.


Hazel grove is only a few miles away. it maybe possibly linked. Check with faults just in case.

[AmAtoL]

It's not the computer or any other associated hardware I have, the speed was pretty rock solid at 9.4 up until a few days ago. Now it won't go above 1.4

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 18:56:00 UTC

1st 512K took 3078 ms = 166.3 KB/sec, approx 1370 Kbps, 1.34 Mbps
2nd 512K took 2812 ms = 182.1 KB/sec, approx 1501 Kbps, 1.47 Mbps
3rd 512K took 2891 ms = 177.1 KB/sec, approx 1459 Kbps, 1.42 Mbps
4th 512K took 3031 ms = 168.9 KB/sec, approx 1392 Kbps, 1.36 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 1431 Kbps, 1.4 Mbps

Thats a microscopic improvement :p

[wtaylor82]

my internet connection was running slow. Checked internet conection, rang cs, av scan, spyware scan etc.

I recently ran tcp optimizer and hay presto https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/04/157.png (http://www.speedtest.net)