Help requested: download speed weirdness ...

[rrh]

Hi –

I am experiencing a weird problem when attempting to download.

I have a 4Mb ADSL line and live within one kilometer of the Parkview exchange.

When I run a speed test (e.g. speedtest.net) I generally receive a report saying that I should achieve a download speed of around 3Mb.

OTOH, when I perform an actual download, I generally achieve less than 30 kb. At times I have to switch to the HTML version of Gmail in order to view my mail. And Skype - once better than a local landline - now drops constantly.

NB: The download tests were conducted on international, spread between 16h00 and 03h00, over the last month or so. ISP is pre-paid WebAfrica

My hardware consists of the following:

1. Two PCs, one running Win2K, the other XP. The results are identical across the PCs.
2. Two Billion routers with integrated 4-port LAN & latest firmware. The results are identical across the routers.
3. Routers tested with firewalls both enabled and disabled.
4. Downloads tests run with both FireFox and GetRight.

The routers – including a third Billion used by a Telkom technician – report the following:

Download
1. Sync: 4,096
2. S/N: 21.5
3. Attenuation: 18.5
4. Maximum achievable: 8,136

Upload
1. Sync: 640
2. S/N: 12
3. Attenuation: 8.5
4. Max achievable: 1,140

Telkom have now taken to simply closing each fault that I report without even investigating.

Any suggestions will be gratefully accepted ….

 

[fz1]

Does your router report errors (e.g. CRC errors?) If so, please post those stats here. Is your downstream signal to noise ratio constant at 21.5dB?

I don't see how a (local) speed test would indicate that your download speeds are fine yet when you "actually" get to download something, it's really slow. Have you tried a different mirror on speedtest.net (e.g. London and/or Washington)? Try a speed test on www.speed.io and post your results.

May not solve your problem, but I would also highly recommend that you give IS Fibre Semi-shaped a try (you can get it prepaid from Axxess). I tried it out a few months back and the speed difference is astounding (see thread in my signature).

 

[rrh]

Hi fz1 --

I finally managed to find the modem's CRC reading: 39 over a period of about 36 hours. I reset the modem around 18h30: at 22h30 there are 3. So there is an issue, albeit minor.

OTOH, you hit the nail on the head re speed tests. I ran an international speed test [using a speedtest.net site in San Jose, California] and found that the results were as reported for my downloads, i.e. around 30kbs, around 18h30.

At 23h00 life has improved: I am getting reported speeds of 150Kb downlink / 200kb uplink (yes, uplink better than down). Actual downloads are still much, much slower.

There has been no increase in the CRCs during this [later] testing.

Is it worth a call to my ISP, or must I simply persist with Telkom ?

Many thanks ...

 

[fz1]

I wouldn't worry about such few CRC errors (although it is possible to have an error-free line) and I doubt very much that they are the cause of your woes.

The slow international vs. normal (fast) local, and especially the fact that it has improved, leads me to believe it is probably an ISP problem rather than a line problem. What kind of latency are you getting (on local, specifically)?

For what it is worth, my results (IS Fibre Semi-shaped) to San Jose, CA: 3203Kbps down, 340Kbps up and 343ms ping.

If the problem persists, I'd give the ISP a call before Telkom, since they are much more likely (and willing) to help you diagnose the issue (and should be able to inform you if it is in fact a problem on their side). If they pass the buck onto Telkom, well, then good luck

Post back what you find out.

 

[HavocXphere]

although it is possible to have an error-free line

I had one of those...and then it just went all fuzzy one day.