Selected ISP Support > Earthlink DSL > OK stats, but frequent loss of sync

reply to bk_856er

Re: OK stats, but frequent loss of sync

Your Modem is a Bridge and you have to use Telnet to obtain the DSL Stats.

»EarthLink DSL FAQ »How do I access my Earthlink/Covad ZyXEL P645 modem (Bridge Model, not UHP)?

The commands to run in Telnet are in bold in the example below.

quote:

---

ChangeMe> wan adsl chandata
near-end interleaved channel bit rate: 0 kbps
near-end fast channel bit rate: 3008 kbps
far-end interleaved channel bit rate: 0 kbps
far-end fast channel bit rate: 384 kbps

ChangeMe> wan adsl linedata near
relative capacity occupation: 88%
noise margin downstream: 6.5 db
output power upstream: 12.0 dbm
attenuation downstream: 47.5 db

ChangeMe> wan adsl linedata far
relative capacity occupation: 59%
noise margin upstream: 16.0 db
output power downstream: 20.0 dbm
attenuation upstream: 31.5 db

---

I contacted Zyxel and obtained the last firmware that Earthlink provided to them for the -ELNK flavor modem. After installing the update (twice) the version reported is the same as before. Bin file was "P660R-ELNK-340AHC3D0." I need to contact Earthlink for something more recent if it's available.

Next I put the modem into GDMT mode. The downstream S/N and attenuation improved immediately! The latest stats are below. Time will tell if the connection is more stable, but I like what I see so far!!

System Name:
ZyNOS F/W Version: V3.40(AHC.0) | 11/16/2005
DSL FW Version:TI AR7 05.00.03.e6
Standard:Multi-Mode (does not show G.DMT mode??)

noise margin upstream: 18 db
output power downstream: 16 db
attenuation upstream: 31 db

noise margin downstream: 19 db (highest ever!)
output power upstream: 12 db
attenuation downstream: 60 db (lowest ever!)

SpeakEasy speed test performed today after the changes:
Download Speed: 1288 kbps (161 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 322 kbps (40.3 KB/sec transfer rate)

Bob

There is this, but I don't know what it is for version wise:

»support.earthlink.net/download/broadband/

quote:

---

EarthLink DSL and Home Phone Service Firmware:

* Zyxel Firmware Upgrade - Windows Download

---

That's too funny. I just spent 20min with Earthlink support and they were adamant that no firmware update exists, although they were eager to sell me a new modem. I can't get past the password request for that link using my Earthlink info. Anyone know what filename resides there?

Bob

I chatted with support again and tried to get access to that specific page. Waste of time. They insisted that modem firmware is "upgraded on the server end when the modem powers on" and then finally that only their "engineers" can access that page. None of their info was accurate in the least, so I don't believe any of it. That link is taunting me!

At any rate, I now seem to have the original firmware file from Zyxel, so maybe I can risk trying the retail D1 firmware and then downgrade if I run into trouble. Then again I might savor my new connection stability for a while longer. I've bricked a device or two in my time with botched firmware updates...

Bob

So far, so good with the GDMT mode....

I'm thinking of experimenting with a different modem than the P-660R-ELNK that I'm using now, and possibly "upgrading" to something else for maximum robustness. I already have a good router/gateway, so my needs are simple bridge mode, and I have enough know-how alter the settings.

Is there a superior modem that'll play nicely with the ELNK LPV service?

Bob

Pulled the trigger today on a Covad-approved Innoband ADSL2/2+ VOA Firewall Gateway 8860-C1. Looks like a nice unit that'll cover my router needs. I'll post up after I put it through its paces.

Bob

Sounds interesting. Please update us when you get the chance.

I received the Innoband 8860-C1 today and just set it up. The first impression is good and there were no glitches integrating it into my network. However, for some reason the modem is reporting 1.0/384 instead of my usual 1.5/384, with corresponding lower speed tests. Downstream attenuation is down (56dB) and downstream margin is currently 9dB. I'll update again with more details after I get some additional experience with the unit....

Bob

That's a bad sign. It should sync at the same rate as your other Modem. If you plug the other Modem back in, do you regain the 1.5 Sync Rate?

I'll swap modems tomorrow. I power-cycled the Innoband and now it syncs at 1.1/384. Weird. I'm no expert, but I assumed that the modem should sync with the DSLAM port setting, which according to a check by Covad just the other day was 1.5/384...

Thanks for confirming the proper sync behavior. Before I posted here I put an inquiry into Innoband with all the modem data and configuration, so we're on the same page. I see that you are a night-owl like me!

Slightly off-topic, but does anyone have an opinion of this Wilcom device?

»www.wilcominc.com/Item.cfm?ProdID=108

I currently use their PS-15S POTS wall-mount ADSL2+ splitter, but the "advanced filtering" claim of the DSL600-PS unit caught my attention. Maybe it would clean up my line a little and increase my downstream margin?

Bob

reply to bk_856er
Using the same "change to GDMT" trick that I used for the Zyxel modem, I was able to get my 1.5/384 sync back along with zippy downloads. I like this modem!

Set to ADSL2+ mode, the downstream attenuation was 52dB and the margin was 9dB and the modem synced at 1.0. With GDMT the values are different as displayed below. This is where I will keep things if everything remains stable. The attenuation makes me a bit nervous. The modem has options to tweak gains and other settings, which I will investigate later...

----

Status
Device Information
Model Name 8860-C1
Host Name home.gateway
System Up-Time 18:29:49s
Current Time Fri, 10 Jul 2009 - 18:59:43
Hardware Version Solos-W ADSL-M v1.00
Software Version 5.52g.dk21.44

ADSL
Parameters
Connect Mode ADSL
Modulation G.Dmt
Profile Type COVAD
Activate Line true
Coding Gain auto
DSP Firmware Version E.25.41.44 A
Connected true
Operational Mode G.Dmt
Annex Type AnnexA
Upstream 384000
Downstream 1536000
CO Vendor GSPN
Elapsed Time 0 day 0 hr 7 min 39 sec

ADSL
Parameters
Downstream Upstream
SNR Margin 15.0 dB 23 dB
Line Attenuation 62.5 dB 31.5 dB
CRC Errors 2 0
Latency Fast Fast

Speakeasy Speed Test after change to GDMT
Download Speed: 1319 kbps (164.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 323 kbps (40.4 KB/sec transfer rate)

Sorry if you just saw your modem loose sync. I just provisioned your circuit to 3.0/384 because your had very good margins at 1.5/384.

Your margins came out to 3.0/384 @ 11.0db/23.5dB
--
Statements made by me are not the views or practices of my employer and they cannot be held responsible for any statements I may make.

You the man! I was actually composing a post in the Covad Direct forum at the time to update you - thanks for your help on this! Keeping fingers crossed...

Bob