Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/install in Verizon Online DSL

Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/install in Verizon Online DSL http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r14670790 en Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:56:15 EDT Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:56:15 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/install http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14755679 Telcoguru : Actiontec modems had a history of over-heating or receiving surges and burning out.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14755679 Mon, 07 Nov 2005 21:49:44 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/instal http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14691163 braynes : bluepoint

"BTW the local switch office is known to verizon as maintenance office." well not really they are called C.O's (central office)
Bruce]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14691163 Sun, 30 Oct 2005 09:52:07 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/instal http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14686096 drake :

said by storm64007

:

Yup, i found that out a year ago. The actiontec is already set up for Verizon...great to have as a backup modem.

Yeah, I knew it worked with Verizon 'cause I tested it out when I started with VOL in 2003, and it was pretty sweet. However, being it came from AOL, I felt more comfortable using the Westell. :p]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14686096 Sat, 29 Oct 2005 14:34:29 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/instal http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14684559 storm64007 :

said by drake

:

Heh, I'm surprised my old DSL modem (the one issued by AOL DSL) still works.

Yup, i found that out a year ago. The actiontec is already set up for Verizon...great to have as a backup modem.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14684559 Sat, 29 Oct 2005 09:10:43 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/instal http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14683551 mwwallace : Pretty sweet. I hope I end up w/ the Westell 6100 when I can order VZ DSL in a short time from now. :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14683551 Sat, 29 Oct 2005 01:23:39 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/install http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14682016 drake : Heh, I'm surprised my old DSL modem (the one issued by AOL DSL) still works.

ActionTech DSL Modem
ActionTech Com Ports
WRT54G

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14682016 Fri, 28 Oct 2005 21:07:24 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14674637 Rob A : Welcome back to Verizon Bleek. I've been actually waiting to see if you ever decided to test it out again. Hope it works well for you, and you decide to stick with it over OOL.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14674637 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 22:04:43 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/install http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14672792 drake : bluepoint

, they are going to look into my line, but 9/10, it's going to come up an instability line, etc. The technician who worked with me was willing to jump through loops to get me "results", so I wouldn't have to call back, or jump from tech to tech. He mentioned that if I'm having line trouble, it could be due to my switch office checking the connection. They'll leave me on Interleaved if results turn out to be more harm than good. Also, keep in the mind: the guy who worked with me spoke directly to my switch office, so even if I tried to call back, the request would still go through the same guys.

I'm satisfied at the least I was able to speak with a cool Verizon Technician, and I'm grateful he was able to work with me overall. That's what Tech Support experience should be like with everyone.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14672792 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 17:59:47 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/install http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14672713 bluepoint :

said by drake

:

If you're looking to switch onto FastPath, don't give up. Keep calling, ask for Level3 technician if possible.

Follow your advice, don't give up. There are people here who have worst stat than yours and were able to convert to fastpath. BTW the local switch office is known to verizon as maintenance office. You are better off insisting on talking to the MO's if it is available still than level3. My experience talking to level3 when I was converting mine is not good. They would know what interleaving/fastpath is, but they will not do nothing, in fact, that time they discourage me in switchng to fastpath. Keep on trying, there are level1 techs that will know who to talk to, to get you converted. Try calling between 6-7PM.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14672713 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 17:49:04 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/install http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14672546 drake : Alright, it seems the FastPath request is a "no-go" for me.

I called Verizon at 1-800-567-6789, and within 1-min, I got a technician on the phone. He asked me the basics about my account, who was speaking, etc. Afterwards, I explained to him that I'm a rather vivid gamer and my pings are going through the roof. I continued on to ask him if he was familiar with the terms: InterLeave, or FastPath, of course, he wasn't. However, he did tell me to hang on and see what he'd be able to do for me. That said, our connection died, somehow. I said, "hello, hello", and I hear "the click".

So I call back, and this time, I got a different guy who had a rather heavy Indian accent. Nonetheless, I was able to understand him. Before explaining the issue, at first, I asked him if he was familiar with the terms "FastPath", or "Interleave", again, typical tech response: no. I said alright, "Are there any Level3 technicians around at the time?", he checked, and no there wasn't. I then proceeded to ask for his supervisor, however, he was busy with a phone call. Alright, I've still got my nerves intact, and I explain my issue to him. He says "OK, I don't think I can assist you. However, let me switch you over to the Networking Dept., and you can from there.", I say "OK"; he documents my request, and I'm placed on hold for about 25 mins.

After waiting on hold, I finally get a guy. He too asked me "the basics", then asked "what's up?". Mind you, I thought my previous technician documented the issue, but I never brought it up. I asked him the same question regarding Interleave and FastPath. He said, yes, I'm very familiar with both terms. This point, I'm so f**king relieved, lol. I asked if this was Networking Dept., he politely said no, this is Tech Support, and you're speaking with a Level-3 technician. (Facial Expression: :o).

I explained to him what's been going on with "my gaming". He totally understood where I was coming from, so there was no difficult explaining, in "technical talk". He went ahead, checked out my line. At this point, he mentioned he doesn't know how to request the change, so he asked his Supervisor, and he said they don't grant "special requests", however, the tech went ahead and called my local switch office (yes, he called my switch office directly), he spoke with the technicians there, while he had me on hold. He returned and explained to me, they would have no problem doing the request, and it usually takes two days to check things out. However, in my case, it's likely it won't happen as the Level 3 tech and my local CO were going over my modem stats and said the numbers do not look good. He also mentioned that, by default, the lines are checked out before activating the DSL signal to see if my line is suitable for FastPath, and if not, you're placed on Interleave (at least that's how my switch office operates). He also mentioned the CO will take a look into my line throughout the next two days to see what can be done, though. If nothing checks out, I'll stick with Interleave.

That was that. He was more than willing to assist me in changing my line, however, things didn't check out at their end, and my line stats obviously prove that in my initial post. I even asked if he could pull my loop-length and I'm marked at 6,2XX ft. from CO. So it could be the line quality overall.

Now, just about to end the call, I asked his name [rather not post here] and location [Canada]. It's funny, I didn't know Verizon Techs were stationed in Canada as well. :)

Anyway, that's my story. If you're looking to switch onto FastPath, don't give up. Keep calling, ask for Level3 technician if possible. True professionals, in my case at the least. :)

[edit: overall call length: 45-mins.]]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14672546 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 17:26:25 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/install http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671940 drake : Thanks, bluepoint. I'm already familiar with how to adjust the settings in my 6100. I did so after I figured out the 6100 *already* logged into the PPPoE server. However, I wanted my modem in bridge mode to begin with. Reason being is, if I wanted to swap back and forth between connecting directly to the 6100 or putting my router in the mix, I find it easier, or just the way it is setup. It's like that now, my router takes care my PPPoE authentication (was the same way in '03 using my previous Linskys BEFSR41 + the Westell 2110).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671940 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 16:05:39 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/install http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671924 Lets Go : I would also be interested in your results. I have tried a couple of times to get switched to fastpath with no luck. The last tech I spoke with said he was turning in what he called a "fastpath" ticket. Of course the ticket was closed without any changes being made. The tech even said he tested my line and it would be fine on fastpath. I called and asked why the ticket was closed and he said "the line tested fine". I told him it was for a switch to fastpath and of course he said he didn't know what I was talking about.

My stats are almost identical to yours except my line attenuation is lower ( about 7000 ft to CO).
--
www.Leatherjockey.com ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671924 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 16:03:45 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/install http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671821 bluepoint :

said by drake

:

After authentication, I went into my modem's diagnostic page at »192.168.1.1 ; it asked for my user name/password. The weird thing I did notice, I was able to connect via PPPoE client while the modem was handling the "current" PPPoE connection; it did the same with my router, too.

FYI the westell 2200/6100/327W are capable of doing PPPOE passthrough, that is, if you are using a PPPOE client in your pc the PPPOE authentication will work. Since you already have configured the modem to PPPOE authenticate, you can eliminate the pc PPPOE client and can obtain an ip from the router/modem(6100 is a one port router), otherwise you've been using two connections from Verizon which is against the TOS. If you want to mix another router, you will have to set the 6100 router/modem in bridge mode, instructions on how to do the bridge mode with this modem has been posted here just do a search, once that is accomplished configure your router's PPPOE shim to connect to verizon.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671821 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 15:49:36 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/instal http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671568 anon : I wouldn't recommend asking for a supervisor, mostly because supervisors won't troubleshoot with you or handle requests. Tier3 will though. But, if you tell the tech to check his service alerts, the message about removing the interleave is in there from about 2 months ago]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671568 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 15:14:29 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/instal http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671433 drake : You're right, I didn't see your edit. Thanks.
As a matter of fact, I should give them a call right now, before their calls start going through the roof which is between 3:30 PM and 8 PM; it's 2:53 PM now. :p

I'll ask the first technician about the "gaming", and if he has no clue what I'm talking about, I'll request a Level-3 technician or ask for their supervisor (as they usually get things done).

My 6k ft. from CO reading came from AceDSL's web-site and two Verizon technicians as well (the ones I spoken about in my initial post).

I'll be back with the "verdict".]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671433 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 14:53:31 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/instal http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671387 JohnA : Here's the edit above which you likely missed: Don't let them bounce you to billing, they have nothing to do with data path. Tell them you're a gamer, and your latency is too high, and if they want to transfer you anywhere, to send you to level 3 tech who will understand the request, and order the change.

Let's hope they didn't swap your pair, while you were without a DSL connection. Doesn't really look like 6000'.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671387 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 14:46:40 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/instal http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671336 drake : Yeah, I was curious since I'm quite close to my CO, so my attenuation shouldn't be that high. I can't really compare it to my Verizon connection in '03, since I really don't remember, nor did Interleave or FastPath matter during that time, I believe.

Oh, I didn't mention this; I tried connecting directly to the demarcation point (as shown in one of my attachments). I currently have a RJ-11, which is about 20-30 ft., maybe? One end, it has the normal "head"; the other end had dual ports. So I branched my phone to one port, and my DSL modem to the other port. That's how the setup is currently.

However, I did try connecting my modem directly to the demarc, using the 6-ft. RJ-11 cable provided by Verizon (it seems high-quality just from appearance, I guess). Since the demarc is about 30-ft. away from my computer, in my room, I decided to whip out my 20-ft. CAT6 cable for connection between the 6100 (which was literally placed in the center of my room) and computer.

With that setup, it sliced off 1dB, but it still wasn't impressive. So I'm thinking it's with my actual line between the demarc and the CO. As demonstrated, it's definitely not an inside wiring issue.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671336 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 14:39:17 EDT Re: Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/instal http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671227 JohnA :
Noticed the other day, you said you had a Verizon connection again. I'd be real curious about those attenuation numbers, but the first thing I would pursue would be the Fast Path. 14db should be OK, as normally you lose around 2, and none on the up side. I'd call on a weekday when the chances are better that you'll hit a regular Verizon, stateside support office with your call. If you do anything that's latency affected, you'll notice the difference.

edit: Don't let them bounce you to billing, they have nothing to do with data path. Tell them you're a gamer, and your latency is too high, and if they want to transfer you anywhere, to send you to level 3 tech who will understand the request, and order the change.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14671227 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 14:22:25 EDT Back with Verizon DSL -- New experience/install http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14670790 drake : I've been an Optimum Online subscriber since December 2003 after dropping Verizon's DSL service. (I couldn't resist the 10mbps/1mbps caps vs. Verizon's 1.5/128.) During that year ADSL was the "solo" broadband medium in my area; on the other hand, Cablevision began moving up the ladder -- installing a new fiber-optical network to provide: digital cable service [Interactive Optimum - iO], high-speed data [Optimum Online], and of course, the new medium for streaming-conversations - VoIP [Optimum Voice].

That said, I had my own cable modem ready to go, so I was the first with service in my area. Alright, alright! ... I'm not posting to let you know how I started with cable; you can check out my Optimum Online ISP review in my profile, or on the left-hand side with my account info.

The duration of using Verizon DSL was sweet; reliable, and speed, for the most part. I ordered on June 28th, 2003 through their web-site; the self-install kit came pretty quick. I received what's mostly in their self-install kits these days - a DSL modem, a couple of LP-filters, Verizon "get started" CD-ROM.

My CO did run into a slight issue when they discovered my line was active using AOL's DSL service (since December '02), nor did it come up in their database. It was resolved pretty quickly as a Verizon Technician gave me a ring asked for authorization to switch my line onto Verizon's network; it was all done, with about six hours downtime, I came back online using the supplied Verizon user name and password and cruised at 1.5mbps/128kbps - the highest tier offered.

Everything went fine -- no complaints or worries; Verizon took care of me.

Alright, so it's October '05 and still a loyal customer (haha?) to Optimum Online. However over the last couple of months I've noticed an increased amount of Verizon commercials with their new promos:

•First month free; second and third month: $19.95; afterwards: $29.95/month
•Speeds up to 3mbps/768kbps
•Free self-installation kit (and of course the small shipping-&-handling fee: $12.95)

Alright, Verizon, stop teasing me! I think it's time to order and see how their service has increased with both performance, pricing, etc.

I gave it a shot; ordered thru their web-site on Monday, October 17th. The order process takes less than 5-mins.; afterwards, I received an SRD for October 25th. Yeah, about a typical eight days away but it didn't bother me -- I had Internet access through cable.

The kit arrives on that Wednesday, October 19th. To be totally honest, I was expecting the Westell 2200, but instead I opened up a brand-new Westell 6100. It seemed relatively "pocket-sized". I like. With the kit, I also received a couple five 2Wire LP-filters: (4) phone-filters; (1) wall-mount filter; (1) 2-4-1 splitters; lastly, about 6-ft. of RJ-11 cable. [edit: ethernet and USB cables included, too] I have a couple of photos as well (see above attachments), though they may not be too interesting since everyone is down with FiOS installations now! ;)

I went and placed those filters onto my telephones: 2-voice; 1 fax/voice.
So me being the typical tech-guy I am, of course I'm going to plug-up the DSL modem and see if any sync; as expected - nothing. I proceeded with the CD-ROM (yeah, yeah, I already know the software is "bloaty", heh). I was curious to see if anything changed from my last Verizon installation, and I wanted to setup my user name/password for Verizon. Yeah, it worked through my cable setup. I expected it may halt since I'm not in Verizon's IP range; but I was proved wrong - it worked.

For days to come, before the SRD, I vigorously checked the Verizon DSL order status page at least 3 or 4 times per day. Thursday, I check the site and I notice I have "Tentative" labeled for my account, so now I'm curious as to what's going on - perhaps there are no slots available at the DSLAM? I call Verizon Tech Support and asked about the "tentative" labeled to my account, he said "everything is OK". I proceed to ask him: "what exactly is being done at the CO?" (Silly me, didn't I know these were Level-1 techs I was conversing with?!), he says "the computer is showing four out of five things have been completed at the CO". I didn't want to baffle this guy to death so I end the call politely.

Saturday arrives, I wake up, turn the DSL modem on (yes, there's an on/off switch behind the 6100), and to my surprise, it synced! There are five LEDs present on the modem; two lights went solid: the power and DSL light; there's also a Ethernet, USB, and Internet LED, but I didn't have it plugged to my computer, so of course the Ethernet is disabled. However, I didn't go surfing just yet -- dammit, I was hungry. :p

I came back, reconfigured my connections. Though I have a router here - the Linksys WRT54G - I didn't use it for the first couple of hours. I setup the XP PPPoE client, put my Verizon user name/password, and boom, I was authenticated. It sure felt different using a DSL line and PPPoE, again.

After authentication, I went into my modem's diagnostic page at »192.168.1.1 ; it asked for my user name/password. The weird thing I did notice, I was able to connect via PPPoE client while the modem was handling the "current" PPPoE connection; it did the same with my router, too.

I'm connected at 3360/864 and all is well. The only issue I now (and still do) have is the damn Interleave. You can really notice the latency when browsing a couple of sites, including Broadbandreports.com. The pings are pretty high - between 20-35ms from me to the gateway and along the rest of my route. I thought it would have been a good idea to keep Interleave on as it reduces line noise, avoiding corrupt packets, thus increasing round-trip time between you and the routing-stations along the way.

Here's my line stats:


Transceiver Revision: 01.00.09.00   
Vendor ID Code:        4   
Line Mode:             G.DMT Mode   
Data Path:             Interleaved   
Transceiver Information    Down Stream Path Up Stream Path 
DSL Speed (Kbits/Sec)            3360            864 
Margin (dB)                      14.0            10.0 
Line Attenuation (dB)            50.0            29.0 
Transmit Power (dBm)             16.8            10.8

It's funny how I have a attenuation of 50dB when I'm only about 6k ft. from my CO.

And the tracert to dslreports.com (rather slow, too):

Tracing route to dslreports.com [209.123.109.175]
over a maximum of 30 hops:
 
  1    44 ms    42 ms    30 ms  10.32.55.1
  2    24 ms    24 ms    24 ms  so-4-0-3-0.CORE-RTR2.NY325.verizon-gni.net [130.81.4.97]
  3    24 ms    24 ms    24 ms  130.81.18.90
  4    24 ms    24 ms    25 ms  so-7-0-0-0.PEER-RTR1.NY111.verizon-gni.net [130.81.17.131]
  5    24 ms    24 ms    24 ms  so-6-2-0-0.gar2.NewYork1.Level3.net [65.59.196.17]
  6    24 ms    25 ms    25 ms  ae-11-55.car1.NewYork1.Level3.net [4.68.97.148]
 
  7    25 ms    24 ms    25 ms  mci-level3-oc48.NewYork1.Level3.net [4.68.111.30]
  8    24 ms    24 ms    32 ms  0.so-6-0-0.XL1.NYC4.ALTER.NET [152.63.21.78]
  9    25 ms    25 ms    25 ms  0.so-7-0-0.XL1.NYC9.ALTER.NET [152.63.10.22]
 10    40 ms    42 ms    45 ms  POS6-0.GW1.NYC9.ALTER.NET [152.63.99.177]
 11    43 ms    33 ms    27 ms  nac-nj-oc12-gw.customer.alter.net [157.130.60.182]
 12    27 ms    27 ms    27 ms  0.ge-0-0-0.gbr1.oct.nac.net [209.123.11.49]
 13    27 ms    27 ms    27 ms  www.dslreports.com [209.123.109.175]
 
Trace complete.

Perhaps they are still tweaking my DSLAM, and not to mention, I didn't even receive any notification from Verizon that my service has been up-and-running; I received it the day after - that Sunday.

So I give Verizon a holla Saturday evening (or Sunday morning? - I forget). I asked for a Tech Support agent, I didn't wait very long - maybe about 2-mins., which isn't bad. I spoke with a guy name *****; he was quite professional with tone, just didn't know the words escaping from my mouth. I asked him if he was familiar with the terms "Interleave" and "FastPath", and of course, your typical clueless tech says "I have no idea what you're talking about". He mentioned no one in his dept. is aware of those terms as well. Now I'm a bit ticked off, and I ask to be transferred to billing, but they were closed.

As you can see, I wasn't too knowledgeable about how to go about getting switched. I've read threads here, but it seems to be more hassle than it's worth, in some cases? I don't know anymore. Some have even conversed with five techs before getting to a "knowledgeable" individual. Urgh!

I haven't called billing, yet, and I'm not if I will. I've decided to test out Verizon for the first month to see how everything turns out, so switching over to FastPath may be too much hassle. Then again, I'm not the one who gives up easily, so I'll call back until I get someone who understands the workings of ADSL, thoroughly.

Anyway, my speeds have been consistent for the most part. It's not what I'm used to, but it's satisfying enough. What really hit me is the 768kbps on ADSL line. I really wanted to give this a try, see how it holds up. I get a maximum transfer rate between 82-84 KB/sec., which is roughly in the 685-690kbps range.

I'm posting this from my Verizon connection now, directly connected to my modem.

My apologies for the long, long post but I thought it'd be interesting for those looking for "detailed" stories regarding Verizon's DSL service, at least here in Brooklyn, New York City. Not sure when, but I'll be writing a new Verizon DSL ISP review for my account. This is just "appearance" for the forum. :)

Self-Install Kit
LP-filters
Westell 6100 w/ cables
Back of Westell 6100
Demarc point - :O
Cable Modem/DSL Modem side-by-side

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14670790 Thu, 27 Oct 2005 13:22:54 EDT