mstrlogcrw
join:2002-11-23
Granada Hills, CA
 ·Charter Pipeline
1 edit | DSL Modem or Routing Problem?
I've got a friend who has Earthlink DSL, Covad provisions the line, and SBC is her local telco. Last week, she began noticing that the dsl slowed down considerably, sometimes pages wouldn't load, othertimes they would load half-way and then die, and sometimes the ppoe would say it was connected but really wasn't (dead ping). I took a look at the setup today and am trying to determine what the best course of action is. The following behavior is exhibited on 3 different pc's I used for testing.
1. Connecting through the PPoE client in Windows XP allows me to connect and receive speeds up to 1675/224 when the stars are in alignment.
2. While I am connected, the speed will randomly slow down, web pages will cease loading, etc. A trace route times out and a ping results in 75% packet loss or times out.
3. At some random time (with or without disconnect/reconnecting PPoE or rebooting the dsl modem) the speed and connectivity will pick back up.
4. After about 10 cycles of this on and off again performance, the connection will die entirely and a reboot of the dsl modem is nessecary. It takes the dsl modem about 1 full minute to sync up. Compared to my Fujitsu Speedport (20 seconds from off to sync) it seems unnessecarily long.
I'm inclined to blame the DSL modem (4 years old), but I don't want to go through the dance of the fairies to get a replacement modem that doesn't solve the problem. She has mentioned some phone line problems (static when it rains), but the DSL modem has a home run that is in perfect condition. A couple of distance tests show she is between 9800 and 10500 ft from the co. Charter Cable Broadband is always an option but I'd like to see if the DSL can be forced into compliance if possible.
Many thanks,
Chris |
|
Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| said by mstrlogcrw  :
She has mentioned some phone line problems (static when it rains), but the DSL modem has a home run that is in perfect condition.
Any noise on the line is bad for DSL and it doesn't matter there is a home run or not. The noise alone would cause the problems she is seeing.
Regards,
Doctor Olds |
|
mstrlogcrw
join:2002-11-23
Granada Hills, CA
·Charter Pipeline
| I think I should clarify. There is a DSL splitter installed. The voice lines have noise, but the line from the splitter to the modem has no noise. I verified this tonight. In theory that means the wiring inside the house (which the DSL does not use) is generating the noise, right?
I think first on the list is to call the telco and have them perform a line test.
Thanks,
Chris |
|
Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
1 edit | Static is Wide Frequency (I believe that most static falls under that definition) and you won't hear it above your normal hearing range, but test equipment will show it in the higher that human hearing ranges that G.DMT ADSL uses. They could play music up in the G.DMT ranges and you would never hear any of it unless you lowered it's frequency to a range you can hear. 
The audible static she hears *will* also affect the ADSL ranges, you just can't hear it. The filter just splits the frequencies that you can't hear anyway.
Regards,
Doctor Olds |
|
mstrlogcrw
join:2002-11-23
Granada Hills, CA
1 edit | When I tested the home-run, I switched the pairs to the voice posts so I could hear anything. Now I understand the concept of "silent" noise. Thanks! 
Chris |
|
vpoko
Premium
join:2003-07-03
Jamaica Plain, MA | reply to mstrlogcrw
What about taking a look at the S/NR (noise margins)? Do they get worse when it rains? |
|
mstrlogcrw
join:2002-11-23
Granada Hills, CA | I haven't had time to check the SNR when it's wet or dry (my next visit is this Wednesday). I'll take a look at the line stats then (at least as much as the Zyxel will let me).
Chris |
|
ElnkTra
join:2004-01-16
Atlanta, GA
| reply to mstrlogcrw
Earthlink Electronic Support Response
This is a response from EarthLink Electronic Support.
Hello,
Is this behavior dead on consistent? I think the line may be a factor, but we cannot discount the modem as well. Symptoms of a dying zyxcel are very methodic. You will start with speed problems once a month, then once a week, at the time the speed becomes an issue once a week you may also start loosing sync. Then the speed issues get worse and sync may be lost during the week even down to several times a day. I must stress that this is a noticeable decline. You will say to yourself “Oh yes I remember when this started it has gotten just a tad worse as we have gone on, now it’s unbearable.”
Please do look into the line quality, as before a replacement modem is entertained we would like to know we have a good line.
To put this in perspective, A dying 5260 seems to go in one week. They start slowing down, then refuse to sync and at some point after a reboot all lights are off. Arescoms with the usb connect die by suddenly having the usb light on, even if the only cord is the power cord. So modem death seems to be particular to the brand.
If I am not responding here you can email me.
elnktra@earthlink.net
Please respond to this post to let us know if your issue is resolved. If you have any further problems, questions, or concerns please feel free to contact us via the live chat link below.
Regards,
Tra G.
Electronic Support
EarthLink Inc.
ElnkTra
For live online support please click on the following link
»support.earthlink.net/chat
For latest EarthLink information »www.earthlink.net |
|
mstrlogcrw
join:2002-11-23
Granada Hills, CA
·Charter Pipeline
| reply to mstrlogcrw
Re: DSL Modem or Routing Problem?
You described the behavior almost perfectly, but although I think the modem is losing sync, the sync light doesn't go off. A power cycle of the modem takes care of the problems for an undefined amount of time. I'm going to take a spare SpeedStream I've had in my "gear closet" for a couple of months and give it a try. That should rule out the line or the modem. I'll check back in later.
Chris |
|
terryesh
join:2000-04-20
Atlanta, GA
 ·AT&T DSL Service
·EarthLink
| reply to mstrlogcrw
I experienced a similar problem that took months to diagnose. We had multiple visits from BellSouth DSL technicians and the line sniffed in an attempt to find the cause for loss of sync.
I ran a home run that initially didn't solve the problem but it lead to the diagnosis of inside wiring intermittent short. When I only had the home run connected at the network interface the loss of sync disappeared. The inside wiring short was creating interference causing loss of sync. The ultimate solution was to replace the defective internal wire. |
|
mstrlogcrw
join:2002-11-23
Granada Hills, CA
·Charter Pipeline
| All the internal wiring is bypassed for the modem. Finally got the telco to perform a line test to which the technician replied "you even have DSL?". The noise was terrible! The phone company fixed the phoneline with some benefits, but not satisfactory ones. After substituting the modem, life was good, but my friend was so disappointed with the whole incident that she abandoned DSL and moved to Charter PipeLine where she's been a happy camper. I'm having her keep the DSL though in case Charter turns out to be a dud.
Chris |
|
