dplang
join:2003-01-17
Saint Louis, MO
|  [netopia] 3347 Dropping Connection Frequently
On the recommendation of an ATT tech that was onsite, I bought a Netopia 3347-02-1006 to replace my Speedstream 4100, which he said was not working too efficiently. Instead of buying it from ATT for $100, I got a new one from ebay for around $50. I read that firmware should be updated, so I installed 7.6 .1r9. My biggest issue after installing the modem was my connection dropping several times a day. I could tell it was down because I’d hear my OOMA VOIP box click. Sometimes I’d be near another OOMA box (the scout) and see the red light on, which indicates connection is lost. At that point, I’d lose VOIP phone service and then notice the 3347 cycling through the internet and DSL lights -- one was red but can’t remember which. I know I don’t have power issues because I’m on a pretty hearty home UPS. In order to eliminate DSL issues, I reinstalled my Speadstream and Linksys WRT110. For the last several days everything has stayed up, but the connection is a little slow again. I’m waffling on whether or not to keep my 3347. I’m not happy about the fact there’s no login for the router. So, when the connection was down and my wife accessed her computer, she was presented with the router screen. She was asking me what she should click. Thank god I was there to stop that activity. Also, I’m not happy about the “idiot proof” screens. Even advanced mode is too restrictive. Regardless, I don’t know how I should go about troubleshooting the dropped connection problem on the 3347. Any ideas?
If the 3347 is not a good unit, which would be better? I hear the 2wire has it’s own issues and doesn’t have WAP2 . Is Actiontech or Zoom a good alternative. I’d really like a very reliable device with the latest features. |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA
| I haven't used the 3347, but I am familiar with the 3346N-002 (basically the same unit without the wireless). I'm not understanding your comment about the settings being "too restrictive". Based on what I have seen, there are setup options for just about anything one could want.
If you feel that the Netopia doesn't have enough setup options, you certainly won't be happy with most of the other equipment out there (which gives you a lot fewer options).
Out of curiosity, when you talk about the connection dropping, are you talking about the link between the 3347 and AT&T, a wired connection between the 3347 and the OOMA or a wireless connection between the 3347 and the OOMA? The troubleshooting will be different depending on what connection is involved. |
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dplang
join:2003-01-17
Saint Louis, MO | The connection between 3347 and ATT drops. |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA | What are the DSL line statistics? |
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dplang
join:2003-01-17
Saint Louis, MO | Not sure where to find them. Can you guide me? |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA
| For my Netopia 3346N-002, the results are available at Troubleshoot > System Status > DSL > Statistics
As an example, here are my line statistics:
ADSL Line State: Up
ADSL Startup Attempts: 2
ADSL Modulation: DMT
Datapump Version: DSP 4.2.1.0, HAL 4.2.1.0
Downstream Upstream
---------- ----------
SNR Margin: 31.00 16.00 dB
Line Attenuation: 37.00 30.00 dB
Output Power: 2.87 4.03 dB
Errored Seconds: 0 0
Loss of Signal: 0 0
Loss of Frame: 0 0
CRC Errors: 15 1
Data Rate: 768 384
Your numbers will obviously be different, but these are the categories that you need to report by copying/pasting them into your reply. |
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dplang
join:2003-01-17
Saint Louis, MO
| I reconnected my 3347 and gathered the stats below. I don't have the same menu choices as you, but collected info that I hope is similar. By the way, while I was connected typing this, the Internet light went red. All I have connected to the modem is one hard wired PC and the DSL line. It basically rest itself after 5 minutes of up time.
My menu choices are:
Home
Configure
Statisics
Diagnostics
Remote Access
Update Modem
Reset Modem
Self Test
Restart Modem
Basic Mode
Data Collected:
Statistics>DSL
Line State Up
Modulation DMT
Data Path Interleave
Downstream Upstream
Max Allowed Speed (kbps) 6016 768
SN Margin (dB) 0.50 15.00
Line Attenuation (dB) 48.00 29.00
CRC Errors 1 1
Statistics>ATM
VPI / VCI 0/35
Protocol PPPoE
In Octets 41012
In Errors 0
In Unicast Packets 183
In Non Unicast Packets 0
In Discard Packets 0
Out Octets 26224
Out Errors 0
Out Unicast Packets 178
Out Non Unicast Packets 0
Out Discard Packets 0
In = Downstream
Out = Upstream
PPPoE
Session Status: Up
Connection Information
DSL Up
Connection Up
Primary DNS 68.94.156.1
dnsr1.sbcglobal.net
Secondary DNS 68.94.157.1
dnsr2.sbcglobal.net |
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dplang
join:2003-01-17
Saint Louis, MO | My 3347 was for Bell South. I'm on ATT in St. Louis. Any chance that's mucking things up? I read another post about the 3347-02-1006 and 7.6.1r9 being used on Fast Internet. Just wondering. |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA
1 edit | reply to dplang
Your downstream SNR margin is extremely low; it's almost certain this is a problem area.
Connect the modem directly to your NID and re-post the statistics. Here is a FAQ (borrowed from another forum) which explains how to test at the NID: »EarthLink DSL FAQ »How do I test at my NID? What does it look like? . It also provides some info as to the sort of numbers you should be looking for. You will note that a 6 dB noise margin is the threshold for connection problems; you are reporting 0.5 dB. Note that my downstream SNR is 31 dB (way better than yours).
If the downstream noise margin significantly improves when you connect directly to the NID, there is a problem with your internal phone wiring. If the noise margin remains poor, the problem is with the line feeding your house.
By the way, the modem being originally intended for a different AT&T region has no bearing on the problem you are having. You have a signal issue, plain and simple.
Just guessing here, but, if the signals were proper, the original SpeedStream 4100 probably would have worked fine for you. |
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dplang
join:2003-01-17
Saint Louis, MO | Thanks! I'll work on this tonight. |
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dplang
join:2003-01-17
Saint Louis, MO
| As a comparison, here's what my 4100 shows. SN Margin looks bad (4db) as well.
Line State UP
Modulation ANSI
Data Path interleaved
To Modem To Internet
Max Allowed Speed (kbps) 5632 768
SN Margin (dB) 4.0 -
Line Attenuation (dB) 50.0 -
Loss of Signal 0 -
Loss of Frame 0 0
CRC Errors 2745 5
ATM Information
VPI / VCI 0 / 35
Protocol PPPoE
In Octets 659426946
In Errors 7123
In Unicast Packets 13608337
In Non Unicast Packets 0
In Discard Packets 0
Out Octets 1244335291
Out Errors 0
Out Unicast Packets 9391187
Out Non Unicast Packets 0
Out Discard Packets 10495
PPPoE Information
Session Status DOWN
Server MAC Address -
Session ID -
IP Information
Internet Address -
Internet Gateway
DNS Servers -
-
Ethernet Information
In Octets 1114470125
In Errors 52590
In Unicast Packets 9405429
In Non Unicast Packets 308
In Discard Packets 0
Out Octets 584270510
Out Errors 0
Out Unicast Packets 13609355
Out Non Unicast Packets 27396
Out Discard Packets 11 |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA | Yes, you definitely have a noisy connection. If the problem is in your internal wiring, you can fix it yourself or hire a contractor to do it. If the signal is noisy at the NID, AT&T will have to diagnose and repair the problem(s). |
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dplang
join:2003-01-17
Saint Louis, MO | Following the instructions you sent, I used my Netopia 3347 modem outside to check at the NID. My downstream is 4db and upstream is 13db. Looks like I should call ATT. Do you think they will see this as a real problem that they need to address? |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA
| Since your DSL connection (that you pay them good money for each month) is not reliable, one would certainly hope that AT&T would look into this. I suspect that your best results will be obtained by playing dumb and not saying anything about the line statistics; simply say that your connection is dropping and you know the modem is not at fault since you just replaced it.
If it should turn out that AT&T tech support won't help you, there is the AT&T Direct forum in this site. |
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dplang
join:2003-01-17
Saint Louis, MO | I've placed a call to ATT and will let you know what they say.Thanks for all your help! |
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dplang
join:2003-01-17
Saint Louis, MO
| Here's the deal... Right before I hooked up the 3347, I upgraded to Elite on ATT, which is 6MB. The DSL tech who came onsite today checked the line and said I was actually 16,000 feet from the CO, a distance too far to support 6MB. When he downgraded me to back to 3MB, my SN Margin went to 12db. I'll hook up my 3347 again and see if that made a difference. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction! |
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dplang
join:2003-01-17
Saint Louis, MO
| My new stats inside with a Netopia modem:
Downstream Upstream
Max Allowed Speed (kbps) 3008 512
SN Margin (dB) 11.00 16.00
Line Attenuation (dB) 48.00 29.00
CRC Errors 40 1
The 3347 modem is faster than the Speedstream. I just hope does not resume resetting. |
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