How to help w/ DSL speeds

[RedDaemonFox]

I just recently upgraded my router, from the crappy westell 327w to an Actiontec GT04WG Rev B, which fixed my connection issues ( the router would go haywire spontaneously.) So, DSL is the only option out where I live, but my download speed (which should be above 90k) stays at 90k max for all files. I used the cable they provided, hoping to speed it up, but no dice. Is there any way I can help w/ DSL speeds. I've noticed the following issues:

My non-cordless phone has severe static, although a filter is installed (its fairly cheap) but my cordless is static free. Should I try another filter?

The routers address states 894k download/286k upload, but its less than a tenth tops of download, and a 20th upload. Should I try a better phone cable, or what?

 

[Firthy2002]

Static/noise on your phone would suggest a bad filter.

What's the most speed you've been able to get?

 

[meega]

but my download speed (which should be above 90k) stays at 90k max for all files.

Bits or Bytes?

 

[RedDaemonFox]

bits? I think, since Kbps with a lowercase b means bits. about 100k tops.

 

[StrontiumDog]

Here in the UK, they recommend a filter on every phone socket

You could also try the tweak test at www.dslreports.com/tools and see what it finds out

 

[moijk]

The routers address states 894k download/286k upload, but its less than a tenth tops of download, and a 20th upload. Should I try a better phone cable, or what?

Just out of curiosity, is that common? Beside some mobile intenet services, I can't find any (major, didn't bother to check that many) services here in Norway that offers that low speed.

 

[imnogeek]

do a google for the MTU that your service provider recomends. very often they will connect and work with the default settings but will improve with the correct MTU value

 

[Kin Hell]

@ Dreamy

What kind of wire delivers DSL to your home?

I doubt you have Aluminium, but that is worse than Copper. If you're on fibre, you should be getting better speeds than that, but your connection speed will depend how far from your Exchange you are, what ever medium your connection wire is using.

I can't find anything about the router you mention (Actiontec GT04WG) though I already know it's a Wireless device.

Kin

 

[MagerValp]

Try connecting the computer straight to the DSL modem, bypassing the router, and measuring the download speed. Also try disconnecting everything in the house except the DSL modem, and see if there's any change.

 

[RedDaemonFox]

its a modem/wireless router combo. I have copper wiring in my home, was built in 1972 iirc, my provider is verizon, the only viable choice in terms of signal in eastern rural virginia (I hate it here). The power lines in my area are at least 5 years or older because they can't handle fiber optics and the transformers blow all the time. My DSL connects into my phone line ~15 ft from where my house links up into the main power line.

Back in 06 it was never much of an issue, but nowadays its way too slow for as much torrenting and downloading i do. It takes almost 3 hours for me to download an Ubuntu image at 89k average. The DSL tweak test is down currently it seems:bomb

 

[Firthy2002]

I would definitely start with the microfilters.

 

[xc8]

The routers address states 894k download/286k upload, but its less than a tenth tops of download, and a 20th upload. Should I try a better phone cable, or what?

Can you report the Attenuation and Noise Margin from your router statistics?
Also, how far are you from the Exchange ?

Chris

 

[RedDaemonFox]

Attenuation (DWN/UP) : 55.5/26 dB
SNR Margin : 8.6/31 dB
Attainable rate: 5216/1088 Kbps

As for exchange distance, thats not under the broadband status, can you say where it may be? The Tweak tool won't work, it times out.

 

[StrontiumDog]

Try disabling any firewall you may have active and then run the tweak tool again. It works fine here

 

[RedDaemonFox]

Tweak test came out fine, dang! I'm starting to think I'm gonna be stuck with this cruddy speed for as long as I use it. I guess I really can't complain that much I don't pay for service.

 

[Fizzy]

Hi,

Hmm.... Dsl, always a tricky subject.

What sort of DSL - ADSL? Is it over standard analoque phone lines? (or cable?) The mention of copper is not so much for your internal wiring, but what is inbetween you and the exchange. If there is fibre or other connection types/links this can cause complications.

The first thing I would try is disconnect any phones (especially extensions) you may have, and plug the modem/router directly into the main socket (with no filter - that's only needed for phones). See what speeds you get then, and of the signal quality stats being reported change at all.

Here in the UK the adsl lines "learn" the best possible speed over about a week or so. It's recommended that you don't leave the connection on constantly during this. Switch the router off for 30 mins + at least once a day, and it should gradually adjust the line/rate to optimal settings (basically it works out the lines max stable rate).

If you have a standard wired phone, try plugging that into the master socket with a filter - is there any noise on the line? This can also only appear when the broadband is active - so also try a wired phone in the master socket with a filter when you have the router connected.

Is the rate you posted what you are getting on speed tests, or the actual connection speed being reported by the router?

Attainable rate: 5216/1088 Kbps

This seems to think you should be able to get 5,216 Kbps (BITS per second. ). There are two possibilities here - there is a problem with your line somewhere (you can at least determine whether its an internal or main line issue) or the best stable rate setting at the exchange has been set inaccurately low.

I had an issue where my broadband was only connected at 2048 Kbps, yet the signal quality ratings from my router was indicating it was possible for a lot higher. Every time I queried it with my provider (and them with BT) they checked on a database and said that according to that, that's the best I would get here.

I managed to get in touch with somebody via an adsl forum who maintained said database, who confirmed on my readings that it's capable of higher and amended it.

Next time I queried it with my provider it was changed straight away and I'm now connecting at 7,200 Kbps.

.....and then there was the whole issue with a spate of bad synch speeds and disconnections, which turned out to be corrosion in the BT line junction box on the outside wall of my house, but that's another long story.

Anyhow, try checking from your master socket first and if there's any noticeable problems you should get your line supplier to do a check on the line. If they find a fault they can sort it out for you.

Hope that helps?

 

[RedDaemonFox]

Its ADSL, my DSLreports speed is~-200kbps of the speed the router is reporting to me. How should I go about approaching my provider (verizon) about this database that maintains the best stable rate? Would it be to call verizon tech support and ask them to check the database and adjust the best stable rate? Or should I contact differently? I seriously doubt there is a wiring issue, my folks converted our garage to a family room about 4 years back and they said everything was fine then.

 

[xc8]

Attenuation (DWN/UP) : 55.5/26 dB
SNR Margin : 8.6/31 dB
Attainable rate: 5216/1088 Kbps

As for exchange distance, thats not under the broadband status, can you say where it may be? The Tweak tool won't work, it times out.

As I see from the attenuation, you are too far from the exchange.. (3.5-4km)
for 55.5db (downstream) (in theory) the max d/l speed is around 3.8 mbit/sec (ADSL2+) or 3.5 mbit/sec (ADSL) , around 440 K/sec ..
BTW, some ****** ISPs have the manner to cap the speeds.

Chris

 

[Fizzy]

Its ADSL, my DSLreports speed is~-200kbps of the speed the router is reporting to me. How should I go about approaching my provider (verizon) about this database that maintains the best stable rate? Would it be to call verizon tech support and ask them to check the database and adjust the best stable rate? Or should I contact differently? I seriously doubt there is a wiring issue, my folks converted our garage to a family room about 4 years back and they said everything was fine then.

Well - still worth checking for noise/problems on the line (and extensions). 4 years is a long time - plenty of time for corrosion if any water has got into the wiring, or any pests to damage it etc.

Ok, just trying to confirm speeds here - what's your router connecting to the ADSL line again? And what speed is your speed test? Have you tried a site like speedtest.net? I would try a few different ones (preferably at least one as local to you as possible) to rule out any bottlenecks on the route through the internet.

Say you are getting a 4,000 download adsl connection - that usually equates to about a 300-350 KBps download due to various overheads like crc and error correction/parity data.

Here there is a way to connect to the exchange directly (using a test account/logon for the router) to do speed and connection tests. There may be something similar with your exchange/adsl provider - but to be honest it's not something I've seen mention of for a long time. Probably as lines are a lot more under the direct control of internet providers now rather that being the sole domain of BT.

Does your router show any details of traffic statistics? Like lost or corrected packets, resends etc? That may help determine whether it's a line quality issue or simply capped with the provider.

The database issue was a quirk for me due to my line originally being a new line put in place for use with ISDN (so more direct and newer wiring) which is why the database was off. Do you have any close neighbours with broadband you could compare with?

http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/max_speed_calc.php - something like this will give you a theoretical maximum the line can support using the readings your router is giving. However the accuracy of routers line readings vary a lot.

 

[Kin Hell]

Attenuation (DWN/UP) : 55.5/26 dB
SNR Margin : 8.6/31 dB
Attainable rate: 5216/1088 Kbps

As for exchange distance, thats not under the broadband status, can you say where it may be? The Tweak tool won't work, it times out.

Your Line Attenuation is rather high. I am 3 Km from my Exchange with about 44db, so you are either further away than me of you could be closer & just have bad wires to your address??

Your SNR @ 8.6db downstream is rather low. Reducing the download speed & upload speed will increase the SNR down & Up accordingly. Couple this with bad wires over X-miles/km will help but not alleviate the problem.

Your attainable rates should be taken with a pinch of salt. They are merely a guidline. There will be overhead losses for you actual connection speed.

Have a look at your Router at different times of the day. Do you see any fluctuations in SNR from one time of the day to the next? I hold 12db during the day & this then depletes to 2db & less by 8pm in the evening. It's like this for me until around 8am the next day & the longer the Router is connected for, the more the SNR Downstream depletes itself. After about 48 hours uptime, I'm lucky to see 7/8db Downstream in any day. These fluctuations should not be happening & point towards a lack of Provision by your Telephone provider & possibly electrical noise . You might have to discuss all these events with your ISP to effect a solution.

Kin