ADSL connectivity problems

[rjuch]

Hi Guys,

been having issues with my adsl and im not sure if its isp or telkom problems. I will be playing poker online my browsing will be fine and then the connection will freeze and stop responding. After a few seconds the connection to the poker site will resume. When this happens it usually happens many times that night.

ive noticed the following in my logs, what is the mpoa link down mean ? Could these be causing my connection interuptions ? IVe also noticed when there is heavy rain in the area my line will not work for a while, phone line responds fine, adsl router tells me the line state is fine ... but it cannot sync with the isp ... ? Not sure if this is a related issue. If somebody could give me some guidance as what to ask telkom to check ...

1/1/2000 0:20:51> MPOA Link Down
1/1/2000 0:20:51> mpoaChannDown: ch<0> null iface
1/1/2000 0:20:54> MPOA Link Up
1/1/2000 0:21:12> Call Failed
1/1/2000 0:21:41> Call drop because echo reply not received in time
1/1/2000 0:21:52> MPOA Link Down
1/1/2000 0:21:52> mpoaChannDown: ch<0> null iface
1/1/2000 0:21:55> MPOA Link Up
1/1/2000 0:22:12> Call Failed
1/1/2000 0:22:47> MPOA Link Down
1/1/2000 0:22:47> mpoaChannDown: ch<0> null iface
1/1/2000 0:22:50> MPOA Link Up
1/1/2000 0:23:6> Call Failed
1/1/2000 0:23:37> Call Failed
1/1/2000 0:24:10> MPOA Link Down
1/1/2000 0:24:10> mpoaChannDown: ch<0> null iface
1/1/2000 0:24:13> MPOA Link Up
1/1/2000 0:24:30> Call Failed
1/1/2000 0:24:32> ppp_ready: ch:8049fbf0, iface:803ed020
1/1/2000 0:24:32> SNMP TRAP 3: link up
1/1/2000 0:24:32> Accept() fail
1/1/2000 0:24:32> Accept() fail

 

[Yotch]

Here is some information about requesting an LTS line test that was posted previously by Leftfoot.

OK.....as an ex Telkom technician I can tell you the following:

If your DSL modem disconnects (or loses sync) on a regular basis....insist on a line test......in fact insist on the results of that line test (even though it might not make any sense)

Most modern cables in Telkom are PVC but can be influenced by moisture or other systems that carry higher voltages.

The test should reflect:
-absolutely no Earth potential
-no more than 12v contact (foreign -ve)
-also watch out for how many phones are connect to your line at any stage - The more phones, the higher the line capacitance.....the easier it it for your modem to lose sync by not understanding the incomming carrier signal.

I too have a 4meg line and had frequent disconnects at a stage.....insisted on a line test (through the supervisor as the "Kelly personel" operator insisted that because I could browse the net all was Cool)......The test result showed a -38v contact that went to -49v when it rained. note: Audibly I could not hear any problem during normal conversation......somtimes you can here a slight "cross-line" with this type of condition.

A line fault was reported and a spare pair of wires was used to bypass the fault......then the "Kelly personel" chic phoned me back to write the fault off.....once again....insist on the results of a second test....if all is clear then allow them to write the fault off

These people are stats driven.....so its important not to allow them to write the fault off if it is not clear.....you will get higher priority on the system a more people will try to resolve your problem

Incidently.....The testing system (LTS) CANNOT perform a test while you are talking on the line, they have to tell you to put the phone down then ring you back with the results.

Hope this is of help to you guys!


Good chance that if you had a lightning strike on the line that there will be problems elsewhere ie. other lightning protection on phones/faxes etc, poles or the exchange itself degraded. Insulation in cables blown through and perhap touching a tree. "Kelly temps" at Telkom do the line testing most of the time and they ignore some fault conditions. Its a time consuming exercise that they dont like to do on the LTS system. A telkom line test should be no worse that these limits:

Foreign earth - 10M? (line touching the greater mass of the earth through trees, wet soil, nests etc)
Foreign contact or negative (-ve) - <12v (line touching another line through low insulation, dampness, etc.
Line capacitance - more that 8µF on the line indicates too many phones and as such has been known to weaken analogue data signals.

Anything other than this....the line is faulty. I always insist on these results from the "Kelly temp" and if they cant supply it, they have not tested the line. They cannot test the line while you are talking on it, they have to ring you back. If they cant help you with the results immediately, demand to speak to an operator. Do not accept a reference number until the results are given to you.

A standard cable cable pair has:
- an E-SIDE (from Exchange to SDC-Street distribution cabinet
- a V-SIDE (from SDC-Street distribution cabinet) to the terminal equipment

The E-side is usually pressurised to resist water penetration
The V-side is not pressurised an has many connect points and potential problem sources. (trees rubbing through insulation, animals eating insulation, bats urinating and corroding connections...the list goes on)

9 times out of 10 the problem will be on the V-SIDE

In order to change your pair the whole way the tech needs to divert in at least 3 places (the Exchange -MDF, the street box -SDC, and the Local Distribution Point - DP).....can also be as much as ten points if your line in aerial cable fed.