rahlquist
Redeye
join:2001-10-30
Villa Rica, GA
| The Endless Dropped Download problems
Well the ongoing network/backbone related issues have gotten just ridiculous. I cant even download a service pack without enough errored packats to cause browsers in Linux, Windows XP or Windows Vista on 5 different machine from completely erroring out.
This all seemed to start here around 11/08/08 or that was when I first noticed the problem, we were trying to stream a Netflix movie and the download just hung, for nearly 20 mins we waited and then gave up. Figuring there must be some sort of local problem I let it go since calling and dealing with the folks on Tier 1 support is so difficult. After that life got busy and I didnt notice for a while as we dont often use heavy amounts of bandwidth. I had noticed though that while web browsing very actively every now and again things would hang with no resulting error on the modem. Now however its reached a point where I cant just write this off anymore, more and more people are posting similar symptoms and nothing appears to be getting done about it.
Tonight at 6:06 I booted into my PClinuxOS install, made sure all apps on the client side were shut down short of Firefox and WireShark. I then pulled up a link to Windows XP SP3 network admin download and started downloading. None of the other computers on my LAN were actively doing anything. The connection from my computer is 100Mbps over cat 6 cable to my TrendNet etherswitch which is connected via Cat 6 to my Netopia 3347NWG running current firmware. In just a few minutes my download had aborted due to too many retransmitted packets. I have posted the packet capture from this on my site at »www.pcsites.com/1DroppedDL.zip its 39 meg zipped. My hope is that someone working for the AT&T SE division will look at this and see what the problem is on their network. I understand its not the best thing in the world to openly share too much info but I wish anyone who wants to infiltrate my home network luck with connection problems like this. Below is the log info from my Netopia from shortly after the failed download. As you can see nothing shows there.
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NetFixer
Freedom is NOT Free
Premium
join:2004-06-24
Murfreesboro, TN
 ·AT&T Southeast
 ·Vonage
 ·Cingular Wireless
·AT&T CallVantage
2 edits | Have you posted the information about your problem in »/forum/sbcdirect ?
I know that forum implies that is is only for SBC customers, but the AT&T techs who monitor it will also look at problems in the AT&T SE area.
The techs do this on their own time, so it might be a day or two before someone looks at it, but it definitely bypasses the frustration of having to endure a script reader who can't/won't deviate from the script.
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A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
»portscan.dcs-net.net
»nature-pics.com |
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rahlquist
Redeye
join:2001-10-30
Villa Rica, GA
| Yeah so far they got my fastpath back on and said someone would be in touch although I haven't gotten a call yet. I am just amazed that nobody else is showing these issues yet. Its so wierd I can crank along at 600+Kbps downloading and wham it just stops.
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rahlquist
Redeye
join:2001-10-30
Villa Rica, GA
| reply to rahlquist
Some additional info.
Do any of you techs think its likely we could have some sort of issue with the card in the RT. When my line was originally activated (on 06/02/2005) right after they setup the brand new RT they had a bad card. ( info »Wiring Home Run This Weekend ) Is it possible its my modem? Its a Netopia 3347NWG and spends the majority of its day sending out packets as my wife uses it to VPN to her work? Its NAT table stays around 20-40 entries.
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rahlquist
Redeye
join:2001-10-30
Villa Rica, GA
| reply to rahlquist
Continued with issues this weekend, tried to download SUSE 11.1 DVD from UCBerkley and didnt even get 100 meg down before long interruptions started happening. I wish someone from BS/ATT while working at our RT (which they appear to do nearly daily) would be able to run some testing from there!
I spiked speeds as high as 740k but then would be disconnected for minutes at a time.
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Airwolf7
Premium
join:2004-12-12
Franklin, KY
·AT&T Southeast
2 edits | Cancel your FastAccess DSL service.
Don't put up with lousy service from the "new at&t"!
It seems that Comcast HSI service is available to you. Try it out. If it works good for you then say goodbye to the "new at&t".
More people in the AT&T Southeast region need to start firing the "new at&t" when the FastAccess DSL service they provide is defective and they won't fix it.
We bitch about the dumb policies that the "new at&t" is implementing. We bitch about web-mail/e-mail, the portal page, possible bandwidth caps, DNS, taking away the Free static IP, wi-fi hot spots, and other stuff that really doesn't matter.
This is the only thing that really matters.
Does your Internet connection work right?
If answer is no then determine who owns the problem.
If you own the problem then that's your problem and you need to fix it.
If at&t owns the problem then you need to make them aware of it and stay on their case to fix it.
If they don't fix it within a reasonable amount of time then cancel your service with them.
If the most basic part of the service that at&t provides to you is broke, the Internet connection, then they have failed to provide you with the service that you are paying for.
EDIT
You need to make sure that at&t owns the problem.
Take your computer and modem to a friends house that has FastAccess DSL service with no problems. Set your equipment up there. If it works fine there then take their equipment to your house and set it up. If their equipment doesn't work fine at your house then it is 100% for sure that at&t owns the problem.
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Pashune
Inhaling at 675 KB per sec.
Premium
join:2006-04-14
Gautier, MS | Oh, how I wish I would have taken Airwolf's advice many months ago... 
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ISP: CableOne 3 mbit/300 kbit |
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rahlquist
Redeye
join:2001-10-30
Villa Rica, GA
| reply to Airwolf7
Airwolf,
Thanks you're the only one who seems to want to consider AT&T is at fault here.
I have a Westell modem that I know is good I may give it a crack. I am not normally a tinfoil hat type but I am starting to entertain the IDEA that AT&T is doing something funny here. Regardless this is starting to suck.
I may go for the Comcast router I just need to save up the cash to buy some equipment (new router) and cover the overages from the install since they will have to run cable to my home.
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NormanS
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA | Don't get the Comcast router. Their cable modem is cheaper, and sufficient. Bring your own router to that party.
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Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum |
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bogey780
join:2004-03-19
Here
| reply to rahlquist
'Thanks you're the only one who seems to want to consider AT&T is at fault here.'
Because most of the time AT&T isn't at fault.
I've all but given up helping anyone troubleshoot anything because most people "figure out" what's wrong right away and are convinced that's the issue. |
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rahlquist
Redeye
join:2001-10-30
Villa Rica, GA
| Not trying to pick a fight bogey but I would be more than happy to be proven wrong. So far though here are what I perceive as facts.
•My line is very clean
•SNR is good and doesnt fluxuate
•Synch has never been an issue on my line except during power outages
•My homerun is in good condition
•My modem/router has not been moved in months
•My physical network has not changed in months
•I can reproduce my problem every time I try it
•The methodology to reproduce I have shared
•I have provided packet traces that should provide a good foundation of information
So I'm open, what suggestions do you have? I will be testing at the NID as soon as the rain clears up and will also test with a spare Westell.
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SpottedCat
join:2004-06-27
Miami, FL
| reply to Airwolf7
All ISPs have problems. Including Comcast.
Comcast not only has bandwidth caps, but they treat you like a child in that they will threaten to CLOSE YOUR ACCOUNT if you go over.
Rather than do something sane like, I dunno, charge an overage or throttle you.
Both AT&T and Comcast are problematic. Switching just trades one set of problems for another. It really sucks to have to deal with this duopoly in this area. |
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rahlquist
Redeye
join:2001-10-30
Villa Rica, GA
| Thats the problem spottedcat, I am having like 3 minutes of 700+Kbps followed by 2-4 minutes of 0Kbps from any source I have tried west of Texas. I could accept slow, I could accept lots of retransmits if I had to, but so many that Windows aborts the transfer is too many. In effect its just as bad as throttling.
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NormanS
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
·Pacific Bell - SBC
| Under the circumstances, I'd suspect a bad card in the DSLAM. Based on certain assumptions. It does seem pretty unique to your connection, though, given that few others are reporting similar problems.
But I am with the "if you can't get them to fix it, change" crowd. I've had no troubles on my line; but I am not blindly stuck on AT&T either. I sometimes think about switching to one of the CLEC providers out here: DSL Extreme, Sonic, or Speakeasy.
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Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum |
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rahlquist
Redeye
join:2001-10-30
Villa Rica, GA
| said by NormanS  :But I am with the "if you can't get them to fix it, change" crowd. I've had no troubles on my line; but I am not blindly stuck on AT&T either. I sometimes think about switching to one of the CLEC providers out here: DSL Extreme, Sonic, or Speakeasy. The problem is no other CLEC is allowed to sell out of my RT. I check every 3 or 4 months and still nothing. I'll check again.
FWIW I think there is a problem with that RT and there may be multiple issues. Its at the top of a hill, 45' away from the business office for a rock Quarry with a fairly large transmitting antenna on the roof. The quarry blasts nearly every week and that makes me wonder if there is damage being done to the RT or perhaps RFI from radios used at the Quarry. ( »maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&···fe203df6 ) That shows the relationship between the Quarry and the RT. Now keep in mind when they blast it shakes my house 1/4 mile away! How much shock/vibration has that RT taken since it was lit up in 2005.....
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bogey780
join:2004-03-19
Here | reply to rahlquist
Offhand I'd check by trying to download the large file to another computer just to see if it can pull it off. I'd follow it up by lowering the MTU. |
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rahlquist
Redeye
join:2001-10-30
Villa Rica, GA
| said by bogey780 :Offhand I'd check by trying to download the large file to another computer just to see if it can pull it off. I'd follow it up by lowering the MTU. Thanks bogey those are good tips but I have already BTDT. I mention it briefly in the first post.
Wife's Desktop PC (hardwired to Netopia 3347NWG) WinXP MCE Tried do D/L XP SP3 net admin pack no dice; errored out
Wife's Laptop (Wireless G to Netopia 3347NWG) Win XP PRO Tried do D/L XP SP3 net admin pack no dice; errored out
Kids Vista Desktop (Wirless G to Netopia 3347NWG) Tried do D/L XP SP3 net admin pack no dice; errored out
My PC, Winxp MCE, (hardwired to trendnet 1G switch at 100Mpbs fd which is hardwired to Netopia 3347NWG) Tried to DL both the XP SP3 and Suse 11.1 DVD from UC Berkley errored out
My PC, PCLinuxOS 2007, (hardwired to trendnet 1G switch at 100Mpbs fd which is hardwired to Netopia 3347NWG) Tried to DL the XP SP3 net admin pack and it errored out and produced the WireShark packet trace in the first post of this thread.
My Laptop, XP PRO, Tried to D/L XP SP3 Net admin pack and errored out.
In all cases the download will start, run and pause, run and pause for several minutes at a time both running and pausing, WireShark shows lots of retransmits. Then the download will eventually fail unless I use a download manager capable of resume.
The MTU is at 1492 and the RWIN is at 63888 as recommended in the FAQ for DSL Extreme.
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exostencil
join:2007-10-22
Indianapolis, IN
| reply to rahlquist
said by rahlquist :I am not normally a tinfoil hat type but I am starting to entertain the IDEA that AT&T is doing something funny here. Regardless this is starting to suck. As you already know, this type of thing is happening to me too. I'm beginning to wonder if AT&T hasn't decided to make life miserable for anyone using more than X amount of bandwidth rather than "throttle" or cap that bandwidth in a transparent way.
*puts tinfoil hat back in survival chest*  |
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bogey780
join:2004-03-19
Here
| reply to rahlquist
It is recommended to have it 1492 but sometimes it does help to lower the MTU. Had a similar problem to your but it was with much smaller files and it was fixed when I dropped it.
I download a lot of files and haven't had an issue with anything as of late so I'm hesitant to blame some supervisory issue. Though I can see how it could be an issue at a higher level with the equipment. |
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NormanS
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
·Pacific Bell - SBC
| reply to exostencil
What value of "X" do you think that you have used? The current capping plan is based on the tiers:
Basic - 20 GB per month
Express - 40 GB per month
Pro - 60 GB per month
Elite - 80 GB per month
Uverse (all tiers) - 150 GB per month
The plan is to charge, I believe, $1 per GB for going over; with one "free" overage.
I estimate my usage at ~50 GB per month, tops. I've not experienced any trouble that remotely resembles "throttling".
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Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum |
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