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Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage
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Old 12-01-2008, 23:55   #1
LTheobald
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Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

Hi all,

First I want to apologise if this has been answered elsewhere on the forum. I did a search around but I couldn't see a solution. I've had this problem for a while (back when Virgin Media was still NTL) and have never got round to shorting it out properly. I did try contacting NTL about it but the guy in the call center at India couldn't help me if the problem wasn't occurring in Internet Explorer. The support at Virgin seems much better so I may try them on Monday if nobody here has any suggestions.

When my connection is used heavily by various different sources, my connection drops out and I have to power it down then back up for the connection to reset itself. Some of the examples when I get a connection drop:
  • Trying to download something via a torrent client (e.g. linux distro)
  • World Of Warcraft updater (also uses bittorrent technology I believe)
  • Using 4OD (Channel 4's on demand service)
  • Downloading games via my XBox

It's not instant. The connection seems to drop after a random amount of time.

It's can't be a PC issue as it's happening on my XBox too. I've got a NetGear router plugged into my setup but I can recreate the problems with that router taken out the loop. So it's looking it's something modem related. My modem is an NTL Home 120 (power levels etc. will be at the end of the post).

It looks like if I severely limit up upload on my bittorrent client, it helps the connection last longer but I still have issues. Plus I can't limit my upload on everything (e.g. XBox 360).

Here's some more info on my modem/line:

Modem Info
Type : Ambit ETH/USB Combo Cable Modem
Cable modem : Ambit Cable Modem
IP address : 10.128.192.59
Downstream Receive Power Level : -6.56 dBmv
Downstream SNR : 34.68 dB
Upstream Transmit Power Level : 55.00 dBmv

Line quality test
All passed with 0% packet loss - http://www.dslreports.com/linequality/nil/2334188

Speed Test
Speed Test #43662907 by dslreports.com
Run: 2008-01-12 17:43:39 EST
Download: 708 (Kbps)
Upload: 699 (Kbps)
In kilobytes per second: 86.5 down 85.3 up
Tested by server: 50 java
User: 1430539 @ dslreports.com
User's DNS: ntl.com
Compared to the average of 101 tests from ntl.com:
* download is 48% worse, upload is 144% better


I'm going to go attempt to download something on the XBox now and I'll see what IP address I get assigned when the connection drops and I try to renew, incase that helps.

Cheers for any help/info,
Lee
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Old 13-01-2008, 00:14   #2
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

to the forum

Your downstream is a little low this should be +/- 3dBmv and your upstream is a little high. There have been a lot of issues with the 120 modems so I would suggest that you get onto them about getting a modem swap. Ring them or post your issue in the virginmedia.support.broadband.cable newsgroup, saves you paying 25p/m. Someone else might be able to give further info.
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Old 13-01-2008, 00:48   #3
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

Hi there,

i have problems with Virgin media too.
Before I was using telewest. was quite good. then i moved and in new area already was virgin (before here was ntl).
I signed for L size broadband.
after some time of using, realised that speed is quite low. I checked on virgin’s page upgrade section. they like checked my modem gave me 2 options: size L and XL.
means i had size M.
I called to customer service to ask about that, and lady was keeping assert that I on size L.
after 20 min argues I gave up.
I just by my self change broadband size on those page.
and what you thing, I’ve got my normal speed same moment.
Today another situation. Actually from yesterday, my broadband speed was really slow. I've tried couple of times reboot modem and router (I sit on wireless). Nothing happens. After last reboot, i called again to customer service (that expensive line). Lady keep asking me to reboot modem and connect computer direct by cable. Dammn, i live in 3rd floor and use desktop computer. My modem and router in first floor. I just can't do this.
again... I am not too patient. ..drop the phone.
but you wouldn't believe, after I reboot one more time modem, my speed jumped to the sky...

Magic??? Probably.
... or just cheaty trick...

I already start to think to change provider.
You can have a look to virgins site. they started to reduce speed for users, who downloading more then average user.
Sorry, but I signet for unlimited download..
They braking those own agreement....
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Old 13-01-2008, 01:26   #4
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

i dont know much but i would say the problem lies with the ambit modem....as i had same probs...and i rang ntl, they sent a new modem, ntl 250 one, never had a problem since virgin did announce a problem with them and that they needed to be replaced...
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Old 13-01-2008, 17:56   #5
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

Quote:
Originally Posted by vaidast View Post
I already start to think to change provider.
You can have a look to virgins site. they started to reduce speed for users, who downloading more then average user.
Sorry, but I signet for unlimited download..
They braking those own agreement....
but it is unlimited, the throttling only comes into effect between 4-9pm. it doesn't stop u downloading at all as it just reigns in your downstream speed for 5 hours, although if you hit the cap at say 8.59pm then you will still incur a 5 hour cap untill 1.59am.

Quote:
Originally Posted by vaidast View Post
I already start to think to change provider.
You can have a look to virgins site. they started to reduce speed for users, who downloading more then average user.
Sorry, but I signet for unlimited download..
They braking those own agreement....
think you'll find they not at all.
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Old 13-01-2008, 23:15   #6
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

I think this fits in with my fault, so I'll tap on to the end of this thread if you don't mind.

I am on 4mbit and a ye old S4100 Modem (stand alone) and recently I have noticed that as soon as I start to do anything on the line such as Downloading a File, maybe get a torrent (with max 10k upload - my upload speed is about 40k i think) or try and get something from the newsgroups - what happens is everyting else is 100% unresponsive and I cannot browse the net until stop the download / upload and wait for a while.

Now I watched grabbing from NTL Newsgroups at 1am, which we agree is outside the Throttling - it starts off full speed, halfs and then halfs again (so 400, 200, 100) and finally it stops dead.

From my reading of the forum, I was to understand that it picks the top 5%, throttles them down to half for 4 hours (which is not the case) and does this again and again. I see this as Silly if this is really what is happening and personally my connection is almost un-usable unless all I do is send emails (long as no attachments) and browse web site.
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Old 13-01-2008, 23:31   #7
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

The System is that if you download over x amount between 4pm and 9pm your connection gets dropped to x speed for 5 hours

XL: If you download more than 3GB or upload more than 1250MB between 4pm and 9pm your download speed will be dropped to 5Mb and Upload speed will be dropped to 192Kb for 5 hours

L: If you download more than 800MB or upload more than 325MB between 4pm and 9pm your download speed will be dropped to 1Mb and Upload speed will be dropped to 128Kb for 5 hours

M: If you download more than 300MB or upload more than 150MB between 4pm and 9pm your download speed will be dropped to 1Mb and Upload speed will be dropped to 128Kb for 5 hours

Info at: http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html...t/traffic.html
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Old 14-01-2008, 00:53   #8
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

Quote:
Originally Posted by ben_b View Post
The System is that if you download over x amount between 4pm and 9pm your connection gets dropped to x speed for 5 hours

XL: If you download more than 3GB or upload more than 1250MB between 4pm and 9pm your download speed will be dropped to 5Mb and Upload speed will be dropped to 192Kb for 5 hours

L: If you download more than 800MB or upload more than 325MB between 4pm and 9pm your download speed will be dropped to 1Mb and Upload speed will be dropped to 128Kb for 5 hours

M: If you download more than 300MB or upload more than 150MB between 4pm and 9pm your download speed will be dropped to 1Mb and Upload speed will be dropped to 128Kb for 5 hours

Info at: http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html...t/traffic.html
The Above is Not what is happening in real life, at 11:30Pm (tonight), I started to grab an ISO of Ubuntu via a Download Manager with many Links, 10 Minutes into the download and my connection starts to Half and slow down, browsing becomes almost un-workable until I Pause the download.

Your Throttling System is not working as Intended.
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Old 14-01-2008, 05:43   #9
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauldor View Post
The Above is Not what is happening in real life, at 11:30Pm (tonight), I started to grab an ISO of Ubuntu via a Download Manager with many Links, 10 Minutes into the download and my connection starts to Half and slow down, browsing becomes almost un-workable until I Pause the download.

Your Throttling System is not working as Intended.
Maybe this has nothing to do with it but I recall reading on some forum about someone with similar symptoms. It turned out to be an issue with a version of the download manager he was using.
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Old 14-01-2008, 12:33   #10
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mick Fisher View Post
Maybe this has nothing to do with it but I recall reading on some forum about someone with similar symptoms. It turned out to be an issue with a version of the download manager he was using.
I never noticed the Issue before until the end of 2007 - I generally hardly touch Torrents and News Group (NTL One), downloading is Light but Patches, Game Updates etc do kick in from time to time. The only change of Habit on my part is that I have started to pop along to Ustream to both Watch stream's and also on occasion, broadcast myself - this only sending one lot of data to Ustream server not everyone who watches.

I do not understand why the Throttling Stops at 9pm but if you are breech, you can be cut back all the way to 2am if you do it wrong. What Data is classed in that total, is that ANY data in or out or are they able to work out your downloading or doing something on the web??


I am seriously now thinking of moving, even if ASDL does the same thing, I would rather not be paying £30 for this.

Update: I have just Cancelled my broadband after the many offers of £10 a month for 2mbit (why??), I would rather pay £10 a month and get a crap connection then £30, no amount of Half price for 3 Months is going to help this time.
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Old 14-01-2008, 14:01   #11
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

What Data is classed in that total, is that ANY data in or out or are they able to work out your downloading or doing something on the web??


Any and all data. Upload and download.
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Old 14-01-2008, 14:41   #12
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

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Originally Posted by moaningmags View Post
What Data is classed in that total, is that ANY data in or out or are they able to work out your downloading or doing something on the web??


Any and all data. Upload and download.
Speaking to the Disconnections Guy (Retentions?), he said it is Throttles up to 11pm NOT 9pm and this includes ANY data both in and out. Not saying he is correct but this is what he told me.
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Old 14-01-2008, 14:59   #13
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

Just wondering, did you get a "limited or no connection" message? I had this after heavy usage, but it stopped after I got it twice..
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Old 14-01-2008, 18:28   #14
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

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Originally Posted by Mauldor View Post
Speaking to the Disconnections Guy (Retentions?), he said it is Throttles up to 11pm NOT 9pm and this includes ANY data both in and out. Not saying he is correct but this is what he told me.

well they need to get their house in order, he say's it's 11pm (wasn't that the old stm end time?) and vm's site which states 9pm.


.................................................. .............ars8 and elbow spring to mind
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Old 14-01-2008, 18:34   #15
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Re: Connection Dropping On Heavy Usage

I've had problems for months with downloads going slower and slower until they stop, and not just at the "peak" times (whatever they are). I spent ages on the "help" line on several occasions - every time they assured me that my modem (a Terayon) was fine until finally, last week, I persuaded them to replace it, since when everything has been great.

Ian
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