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

reply to bk_856er

Re: OK stats, but frequent loss of sync

quote:

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EarthLink DSL and Home Phone Service Firmware:

* Zyxel Firmware Upgrade - Windows Download

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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...

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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
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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

reply to e_dub

I only left the 3.0/384 port rated provisioned for 15 minutes. Long enough for me to check for errors and LOS.

Sorry but I can't leave the port provisioned at 3.0 unless there's an order change.
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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.

reply to bk_856er
If your line could maintain 11dB S/N at 3008 downstream, you would be stable at that speed. However, I don't think you're maintaining that margin, since you're losing sync.

Are you getting static on your phone? The description of the 'death spiral' sounds similar to an issue I had several years ago after a nearby lightning strike. I ended up with so much static on my line that voice was unusable and DSL was very slow. I reported the voice issue to AT&T and they eventually moved my line to a different cable pair.