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lightwind
12-06-2008, 19:16
I've just checked the event log on my modem this evening, and got the following:

First TimeLast TimePriorityDescription
Thu Jun 12 17:09:15 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:15 2008 Information (7)CableModem software upgrade failed
Thu Jun 12 17:09:15 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:15 2008 Error (4)SW upgrade Failed after download - Incompatible SW file
Thu Jun 12 17:09:15 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:15 2008 Information (7)SW dload: Invalid image signature!
Thu Jun 12 17:09:14 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:14 2008 Notice (6)SW Download INIT - Via Config file cmreg-ntlhm250-mid.cm
Thu Jun 12 17:09:13 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:13 2008 Information (7)CableModem software download started
Thu Jun 12 17:09:13 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:13 2008 Information (7)Software upgrade has started.
Thu Jun 12 17:09:13 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:13 2008 Information (7)A software upgrade filename was specified in the config file.
Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Information (7)Authorized
Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Information (7)Registration complete!
Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Information (7)We registered with a DOCSIS 1.0 config file!
Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Information (7)Received a REG-RSP message from the CMTS...
Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Information (7)Sending a REG-REQ to the CMTS...
Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Information (7)CableModem SNMP configure complete
Thu Jun 12 17:09:09 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:09 2008 Information (7)IP init completed ok
Thu Jun 12 17:09:09 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:09 2008 Information (7)CableModem TFTP init ok

It's the bits in blue I'm concerned about. I've switched off and unplugged the modem, then re-booted but nothing has changed. So it seems as if this software download today has failed. Do I need to do anything else?

Should I report this to TS?

whydoIneedatech
12-06-2008, 19:21
I've just checked the event log on my modem this evening, and got the following:

First TimeLast TimePriorityDescription
Thu Jun 12 17:09:15 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:15 2008 Information (7)CableModem software upgrade failed
Thu Jun 12 17:09:15 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:15 2008 Error (4)SW upgrade Failed after download - Incompatible SW file
Thu Jun 12 17:09:15 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:15 2008 Information (7)SW dload: Invalid image signature!
Thu Jun 12 17:09:14 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:14 2008 Notice (6)SW Download INIT - Via Config file cmreg-ntlhm250-mid.cm
Thu Jun 12 17:09:13 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:13 2008 Information (7)CableModem software download started
Thu Jun 12 17:09:13 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:13 2008 Information (7)Software upgrade has started.
Thu Jun 12 17:09:13 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:13 2008 Information (7)A software upgrade filename was specified in the config file.
Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Information (7)Authorized
Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Information (7)Registration complete!
Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Information (7)We registered with a DOCSIS 1.0 config file!
Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Information (7)Received a REG-RSP message from the CMTS...
Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Information (7)Sending a REG-REQ to the CMTS...
Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:12 2008 Information (7)CableModem SNMP configure complete
Thu Jun 12 17:09:09 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:09 2008 Information (7)IP init completed ok
Thu Jun 12 17:09:09 2008 Thu Jun 12 17:09:09 2008 Information (7)CableModem TFTP init ok

It's the bits in blue I'm concerned about. I've switched off and unplugged the modem, then re-booted but nothing has changed. So it seems as if this software download today has failed. Do I need to do anything else?

Should I report this to TS?

No it is quite normal what happens is every single update for that modem is downloaded even if not required upon reboot.

My own modem has event logs with the timestamp of 1970 and broadband did not exist then, just ignore them as they can look a bit worrying.

What is important are your power levels and SNR.

lightwind
13-06-2008, 10:11
Great, thanks!

So how do I know if my power and SNR levels are correct?

sstainer
13-06-2008, 10:38
maybe this will help?
Note the Downstream power levels are determined by a QAM setting on the network. Increasingly this is 256QAM on ntl: nd Telewest, and can be determined when obtaining these power level readings.
Downstream Power (64QAM - being phased out)
+5 to -15 dBmV with the ideal being close to 0. Values outside of this range would normally result in either an inability to lock onto the network signal, or frequent disconnections.
Downstream Power (256QAM)
+15 to -6 dBmV range, but optimal is +10dBmv to 0 dBmv, with the ideal being close to 5. Values outside of this range would normally result in either an inability to lock onto the network signal, or frequent disconnections.
Upstream Power
Anywhere from 35db to 58 on a Surfboard, 61 on an ntl: 100. Generally lower values are better. If you constantly see 58 on Surfboard or 60/61 on Ambit/ntl: modem this would indicate a poor upstream path and probably result in frequent disconnections.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
For 64QAM downstream, a figure above 25 is desirable, above 30 is ideal.
For 256QAM downstream a figure above 30 is desirable, above 33 is ideal
A low SNR is usually the cause of very slow browsing and high packet loss.

lightwind
13-06-2008, 11:31
[quote=sstainer;34574434]maybe this will help?
Note the Downstream power levels are determined by a QAM setting on the network. Increasingly this is 256QAM on ntl: nd Telewest, and can be determined when obtaining these power level readings.

Thanks for that! So, if I understand correctly from what you've said, then it seems that my modem figs are all OK? Here they are:

Cable Modem Downstream
Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 4
Downstream Frequency : 402750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Symbol Rate : 5360.537 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps32Increment4
Downstream Receive Power Level : 8.2 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 40.1 dB

Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 3
Upstream Frequency : 34000000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 45.0 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

Cable Modem Operation Configuration
Network Access : Allowed
Maximum Downstream Data Rate : 4096000
Maximum Upstream Data Rate : 400000
Maximum Upstream Channel Burst : 1600
Maximum Number of CPEs : 1
Modem Capability : Concatenation Enabled, Fragametation Enabled, PHS Disabled

Most of this is beyond my understanding, but I'd be very grateful if you could just confirm if these are OK. Thanks to you both for all your help :).

r00t
13-06-2008, 12:08
Nothing wrong with your power or SNR :tu:

whydoIneedatech
13-06-2008, 12:47
All power levels spot on.

You are using a Ambit 250 NTL modem and you are on 4Mb

lightwind
16-06-2008, 16:14
Thanks again for the excellent help! :)

AntiSilence
16-06-2008, 19:07
maybe this will help?
Note the Downstream power levels are determined by a QAM setting on the network. Increasingly this is 256QAM on ntl: nd Telewest, and can be determined when obtaining these power level readings.
Downstream Power (64QAM - being phased out)
+5 to -15 dBmV with the ideal being close to 0. Values outside of this range would normally result in either an inability to lock onto the network signal, or frequent disconnections.
Downstream Power (256QAM)
+15 to -6 dBmV range, but optimal is +10dBmv to 0 dBmv, with the ideal being close to 5. Values outside of this range would normally result in either an inability to lock onto the network signal, or frequent disconnections.
Upstream Power
Anywhere from 35db to 58 on a Surfboard, 61 on an ntl: 100. Generally lower values are better. If you constantly see 58 on Surfboard or 60/61 on Ambit/ntl: modem this would indicate a poor upstream path and probably result in frequent disconnections.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
For 64QAM downstream, a figure above 25 is desirable, above 30 is ideal.
For 256QAM downstream a figure above 30 is desirable, above 33 is ideal
A low SNR is usually the cause of very slow browsing and high packet loss.

I've recently been getting frequent disconnections, and the Ready light on the modem (an ntl:250) flashing, and sometimes taking a while to steady and reconnect.

Having checked my modem config, my RX power level is -6dBmV, which in your list is on the limits for QAM256, which is what my config states.

Would phoning VM get this sorted, or would they try and claim that there's nothing wrong?

whydoIneedatech
16-06-2008, 22:21
I've recently been getting frequent disconnections, and the Ready light on the modem (an ntl:250) flashing, and sometimes taking a while to steady and reconnect.

Having checked my modem config, my RX power level is -6dBmV, which in your list is on the limits for QAM256, which is what my config states.

Would phoning VM get this sorted, or would they try and claim that there's nothing wrong?

Why not give it a go explain the problem to them and remember it is free to call on 151

jaycee
18-06-2008, 03:07
If your RDY light keeps flashing then you have a signal problem of some sort which requires a tech out to look at it. They should be able to see your modem frequently losing connection on their end.

If they dont, then do something drastic like turn the modem off and claim youve completely lost service and they will send an engineer out - then explain the problem to the engineer when he gets there.

AntiSilence
18-06-2008, 17:32
It's been behaving itself the last few days, I've been checking the level and it's staying around -3 to -4, so not at -6 like it was. Could be better though. If it doesn't improve I may give em a ring.