Intermittent ADSL Connection

[Delpez]

Hi all

My first post here - I hope this is the correct forum.

I've been having a problem with my Telkom ADSL for more than a year now, an it's been getting worse. Every now and then the ADSL would just drop away (both the ADSL and PPP lights go off). This used to happen a couple of times a day, but now it's a couple of times an hour (at least - sometimes a lot more). Btw, when the ADSL drops, the phone line still works fine. I've been saving the log from the router when it happens - here's an example:

10/25/2013 4:49:3> Call drop because echo reply not received in time
10/25/2013 4:49:3> SNMP TRAP 2: link down
10/25/2013 4:49:13> MPOA Link Down
10/25/2013 4:49:13> mpoaChannDown: ch<0> null iface
10/25/2013 4:49:16> MPOA Link Up
10/25/2013 4:49:33> MPOA Link Down
10/25/2013 4:49:33> mpoaChannDown: ch<0> null iface
10/25/2013 4:49:34> Call Failed
10/25/2013 4:50:5> MPOA Link Up
10/25/2013 4:50:10> ppp_ready: ch:804a50e0, iface:803ebf68
10/25/2013 4:50:10> SNMP TRAP 3: link up
10/25/2013 4:50:10> Accept() fail
10/25/2013 4:50:10> Accept() fail

I've had numerous ADSL technicians and experts working on the problem - they've tested the line remotely and at my house, they've rewired stuff in the exchange, they've replaced the wall socket, I've replaced the modem - all to no avail. It has reached the point where they've given up - basically they've told me that they can't find the problem and I can take it or leave it. The internet works fine when I'm connected, but it's very difficult to use with the frequent drops. Has anybody got any experience with such a problem, or maybe got some advice?

Thanks in advance

 

[Sapphiron]

It sounds like a short coming through the line. I have something similar every time it gets very windy.

do you have any information about the signal to noise and Attenuation on your line?

 

[Delpez]

I'm no expert, but I believe these numbers are ok?

Downstream Upstream
SNR Margin: 19.6 11.8db
Line Attenuation: 33.0 23.3db
Data Rate: 6144 639kbps

 

[bekdik]

I presume that you have tested the connection with all other devices disconnected? unplug everything including phones, faxes, burgler alarms, pots filters etc etc and plug the modem directly into the line.

If this alleviates the problem plug the pots filer back in to the line and the modem into the adsl side. Test like that, if it works, try plugging a single phone in and test again until you can confirm the problem device.

 

[Sapphiron]

yep, those numbers look fine. That second SNR number needs to be at or above 12 for a stable line.

 

[Rickster]

OP Is your line even worse when it rains?

 

[Delpez]

Myself (and numerous Telkom techs) have tested every conceivable combination of devices connected (or not connected) to the line. Some of the Telkom guys that came out really tested everything thoroughly, and although I don't know much about the technical details, they've all claimed they could find nothing wrong with the line. Yet, in the 5 or so hours since I've made the original post the ADSL has dropped about ten times. It's really weird - my ADSL experiences at previous residences were always positive, and the Telkom guys have been quick to respond and looked like they were trying. However, none of them could find anything wrong, not event their experts.

A question I have - could it be the line running from the telephone pole into my house? That's about the only piece of hardware that has not been changed, although the Telkom techs say that if that line was faulty, they would pick it up in their tests.