Cool Ideas / Openserve Fibre - Poor Upload Speeds on TP-Link Archer C20 V4 [resolved]

[InTheCube]

Hi guys

I signed up for a 100mbps up / 50mbps down fibre line on the Openserve network in November. The line was installed quickly, and was very fast initially on both upload and download speeds. It was averaging 75-93mbps down, and 40-50mbps up.

However, over the last few weeks, I noticed that my upload speed has dropped drastically, averaging around 5mbps. The highest I've gotten was around 10mbps. The main reason I went of the 100mbps package was to get the 50mbps upload speeds.

I logged a fault with Cool Ideas on Tuesday, and they asked me to do 2 Speed Tests:
- [1] Wired connection directly to the TP-link router they supplied me with
- [2] Wired connection directly to the Huawei Fibre Router / ONT supplied by Openserve, and dialing the PPPoE connection from my computer.

I did these tests this morning, and sent them the results, and they said they will get back to me. So with [1] my upload speeds average 5mbps and with [2] my upload speeds average 48mbps.

So based on the above, I can only conclude that the issue is with the TP-Link router they supplied. And now that I mention it, when I first got my fibre I was running it through my Telkom-supplied Huawei B315 LTE router using the WAN port, and hand no issues with upload speeds. I think the issue might be with the TP-Link router.

Any ideas on what to check while I wait for feeback from Cool Ideas? I have the TP-Link Archer C20 v4 .

 

[Mcwidowmaker]

Cool ideas have a thread under ISP's. They are pretty good to respond on queries there. Not sure about their support turn around. May take a few days to locate the problem.

 

[InTheCube]

Not in a hurry for a solution, since my download speeds are still excellent and unaffected. Trying to get more useful technical input from the boffins in the MyBB community. I don't think this is something Cool Ideas can sort out, except to replace the router for me.

I've checked that bandwidth control is disabled, and checked most settings related to filtering, QOS, etc. All of these are switched off. Next step will be to do a factory reset, and if that doesn't work, flash the latest update, and if that doesn't work, look for another router.

I guess I should also enable WiFi on the TP-Link, and test over WiFi. I have it disabled because I use UniFi AP-AC-LR access points to cover my house.

 

[cavedog]

I have noticed a similar issue with my Zyxel but with MTN Supersonic 100Mbps fibre line. When I logged into the router I noticed that it listed the WAN Port speed as 100Mbps which was an issue because I know the Zyxel and the Huawei ONT has 1Gbps.

Swapped out lan cables until I got a cable that actually was 1Gbps. Problem got solved. I do know that CI supplies a router that only does 100Mbps so not sure if that is the issue though. Could just be a faulty router.

 

[InTheCube]

I've used the exact same cables for [1] and [2] above, so can't be an issue. Download speed in both scenarios is close to 100mbps. So I think I can rule out the cable, but I will test with new cables just to be sure. Could also be an issue with the Ethernet port on the TP-Link, will also try a different port.

Edit: I originally also used the same cables with the Huawei B315 LTE router with no issue. Will post an update tonight after I test.

I also updated the thread title to include the router make and model, to be more specific.

 

[InTheCube]

OK so I just tested using a wireless connection to the TP-Link Router (using its own built-in WiFi, not via my UniFi setup), and I get 47mbps upload speed. So nothing wrong on Openserve / Cool Ideas side. I reckon its either a bug in the router firmware, faulty router hardware, a faulty ethernet port on the router, or a faulty port on my 24-port Gigabit Samsung switch, or faulty fly-leads.

I did these tests remotely using Teamviewer connections (I'm still at work). So can only do further tests tonight.

 

[InTheCube]

So after some extensive testing last night, I think I've found the culprit - my switch. It's a Samsung 24 port POE Gigabit Switch (Ubigate iES 4024GP).

What I tried was

1. Replacing all the flyleads between switch, router and ONT with brand new CAT6 leads
2. Trying different Ethernet ports on the switch and router. On the ONT only port 1 was working, I assume the other ports are disabled as they simply did not respond when trying to use them. No activity on the status lights on either side of the connection. Anyone know if we are allowed access the ONT, and if so, how to do it, and if there are any useful settings to tweak or play around with?
3. Flashing the latest firmware update to the router (it was already on the latest version)
4. Factory resetting the router
5. Bypassing my 24-port switch, and plugging all devices directly into the TP-Link router

Only after doing the last item, did my upload speeds return to normal.

I've already started setting up another switch, this time a 24 port D-Link PoE switch.

 

[InTheCube]

So after running the new switch for 5 days, all is good. I'm getting full upload speeds again.

Interesting that the old switch was the issue. It was literally the last thing on my checklist, and in mind the most unlikely to have been the cause of the slow upload speeds.

What I didn't test though, but should have. is the B315s LTE router running on the old switch. My initial setup was like this, and I had no issues. Could be that the switch is fine, but there is some incompatibility between the TP-Link router and the Samsung switch. Anyway, I don't plan to test it, but its an irritating question stuck in the back of my head nagging away at me.