Can a router cause packet loss?

Ho3n3r

Ho3n3r

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Not sure on this, so I am asking.

I have had packet loss since 2 days ago - Wednesday a router reset seemed to have solved it.

However, last night it was the same again, and router powered off for 10 minutes - as recommended by the ISP - didn't even help it.

As CW said, it's a line fault, and I believe them, but I don't want to rule out anything.

So, is this possible? It is about 4 years old now.
 
Technically, I dont know. Experience taught me that it can. About 4 years ago had endless problems with packet loss. Outcome - router.
Download managers on your PC can also contribute.
 
Anything is possible. If the CPU is max'd out on the router this could cause packet loss. Also suspect components/soldering could cause intermittent packet loss/drops its more than likely to be other issues.
 
Ho3n3r said:
Not sure on this, so I am asking.

I have had packet loss since 2 days ago - Wednesday a router reset seemed to have solved it.

However, last night it was the same again, and router powered off for 10 minutes - as recommended by the ISP - didn't even help it.

As CW said, it's a line fault, and I believe them, but I don't want to rule out anything.

So, is this possible? It is about 4 years old now.
Click to expand...

Yes.. in fact, after nearly 7 months having almost 8 technicians come out, indicating no fault on line, i eventually got right with the umpteenth tecchie. This guy was alot more clued up, did his tests, plugged in his router, and found that my router was acting up and faulty (some metallic noise), even though i could still connect, stream and so on, but it was terrible. I eventually got a router (Aztech 700W) from the kind Lara, and its been rock solid for the last few days.

Get another router, and see how it goes. My buddy bought a Dlink G225 from Telkom for around R999, and it looks like a good one.
 
Based completely on logic I've found that when they start overheating or maxing out memory/cpu then they start doing weird things.

Especially with regards to NAT tables going wonky on the fly.

Simple way to test is to just use another one.

****

Another test without trying another Router would be to setup PPPoE straight from your machine and only use the Router as a modem...that way it does much less of the work.
 
Thanks a lot guys! I will be testing another router my work just gave to me.

I have a bit of hope, but still leaning towards line issues. But as your posts have proved, you never know.
 
Especially if it's ancient then the dust and crap in there can also cause endless ***.
 
Hi

I am also experiencing some issues since Friday last week, I upgraded my line from 10mb to 20mb, the router sync well at 20462 but the line speed keeps dropping, sometimes I don't even go over 2mb. The router is also very old, second hand one been using it for two years without issues. Netgear N300 ADLS+2 . I am not sure if I need to get a vdsl compatible router though. The problem is persistent since Friday, any views?
 
I had endless issues with my Netgear when it started aging a bit. Replaced it with a TP-Link Archer D7. Flawless since.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Especially if it's ancient then the dust and crap in there can also cause endless ***.
Click to expand...

Interesting that you mention dust. I place it on a laptop cooler to make sure it doesn't overheat, and last night there was visible dust sitting on the fan part of the cooler, so maybe it's blowing all that crap into the router as well? It wasn't hot at all though.
 
Drifter said:
I had endless issues with my Netgear when it started aging a bit. Replaced it with a TP-Link Archer D7. Flawless since.
Click to expand...

Ok cool, is this one of those pricey ones? I see vox telecom recommends ZyXEL VMG 1312 B
 
micham03 said:
Hi

I am also experiencing some issues since Friday last week, I upgraded my line from 10mb to 20mb, the router sync well at 20462 but the line speed keeps dropping, sometimes I don't even go over 2mb. The router is also very old, second hand one been using it for two years without issues. Netgear N300 ADLS+2 . I am not sure if I need to get a vdsl compatible router though. The problem is persistent since Friday, any views?
Click to expand...

Sounds like your SNR is dropping below 6dB.
 
It's weird though coz my ping is fine, just 15% packet loss. So I guess it rules out exchange congestion? My ISP didn't agree or disagree with that, they just said "Either way, it's something on the exchange".
 
Get pingplotter and then you can determine exactly at what hop the packet loss is.
 
micham03 said:
Will this be a line issue? and how do I solve it my ISP has not been helpful so far
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Rickster said:
Look on your router for line statistics
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and run Zertop's line test to help diagnose where the packet loss is happening.
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...eport-Tool?p=12372998&viewfull=1#post12372998

Ping plotter, although on the complex side initially, is a very useful tool when comes to diagnosing connectivity issues

WINMTR is another one.

I have a simple Router, slightly more than just an ADSL modem. It has very little work to do so it tends to be very reliable. It is the complex ones that are available these days that do everything including the cha-cha that seem to give problems. Hence why I prefer a set up with a simple line IF then a router, and into that one plugs in Wi Fi APs and switches.
 
Ho3n3r said:
Interesting that you mention dust. I place it on a laptop cooler to make sure it doesn't overheat, and last night there was visible dust sitting on the fan part of the cooler, so maybe it's blowing all that crap into the router as well? It wasn't hot at all though.
Click to expand...

Thing with dust is that beyond heat it causes static which in turn causes shorts.

This is sadly where "dumb" consumer routers don't give you much in terms of detail.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Thing with dust is that beyond heat it causes static which in turn causes shorts.

This is sadly where "dumb" consumer routers don't give you much in terms of detail.
Click to expand...

Dust combined with an Ant invasion looking for a place to hatch eggs and you are in big trouble.
 
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micham03 said:
Hi

I am also experiencing some issues since Friday last week, I upgraded my line from 10mb to 20mb, the router sync well at 20462 but the line speed keeps dropping, sometimes I don't even go over 2mb. The router is also very old, second hand one been using it for two years without issues. Netgear N300 ADLS+2 . I am not sure if I need to get a vdsl compatible router though. The problem is persistent since Friday, any views?
Click to expand...
Im also on a 20mb line, and also speeds wouldnt go up past 3 or 4mbps. Sometimes the speed test wouldnt load at all. So i got a replacement router, and its been solid.
 
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