100M Engineer visit, help needed? [Archive]

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gaz2810i

11-04-2012, 10:43

I've got an engineer out tomorrow to investigate my constant loss of Wireless signal and inconsistent speeds since I was upgraded to 100 meg. Could you guys look over my connection readings and advicing me on anything I should be getting the engineer to look at etc

Connection

Startup Procedure
Procedure Status Comment
Acquire Downstream Channel 299000000 Hz Locked
Connectivity State OK Operational
Boot State OK Operational
Configuration File OK
Security Enabled BPI+
Downstream Channels
Lock Status Modulation Channel ID Max Raw Bit Rate Frequency Power SNR Docsis/EuroDocsis locked
Locked QAM256 202 55616000 Kbits/sec 299000000 Hz 5.8 dBmV 42.2 dB Hybrid
Locked QAM256 201 55616000 Kbits/sec 291000000 Hz 5.9 dBmV 42.0 dB Hybrid
Locked QAM256 203 55616000 Kbits/sec 307000000 Hz 6.0 dBmV 42.0 dB Hybrid
Locked QAM256 204 55616000 Kbits/sec 315000000 Hz 5.3 dBmV 41.8 dB Hybrid
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV 0.0 dB Unknown
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV 0.0 dB Unknown
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV 0.0 dB Unknown
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV 0.0 dB Unknown
Upstream Channels
Lock Status Modulation Channel ID Max Raw Bit Rate Frequency Power
Locked ATDMA 2 20480 Kbits/sec 35800000 Hz 51.0 dBmV
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV
Unlocked Unknown 0 0 Ksym/sec 0 Hz 0.0 dBmV
Primary Downstream Service Flow
Downstream(0)
SFID 722
Max Traffic Rate 111000000 bps
Max Traffic Burst 10000 bytes
Mix Traffic Rate 0 bps
Primary Upstream Service Flow
Upstream(0)
SFID 721
Max Traffic Rate 5120000 bps
Max Traffic Burst 16320 bytes
Mix Traffic Rate 0 bps
Max Concatenated Burst 16320 bytes
Scheduling Type Best Effort

Basically I have to keep re-connecting my laptop to the router as it losses sync even though I could be on it in the same location for ages before hand (4m away max. Also, whether wired or wireless my BB speed drops any where between 0.5 to 100 meg (wired), when testing and 0.5 to 70, but mostly between 20 and 40 meg (Wireless).

When I was on 50 meg, none of these disconnects occurred. I never had to re-boot my Super hub and i got consistently between 40 and 45 over wireless and 50 over wired.

General Maximus

11-04-2012, 11:16

well I think this proves my point quite nicely, the shub is a professional waste of time. There is nothing wrong with your power levels dude so there is nothing wrong with your outside connection to VM.

The problem you have got is with the shub as it is the shub which is providing your wireless services. Don't ask me why it worked fine before and now that you have upgraded it is having problems. It shouldn't make any difference at all because the settings the routing part works at are independant of the configuration and throughput the modem deals with. This is just one of the many mysteries of the shub.

The engineer might change a couple of the wireless settings like the channel and speed to see if he can improve it for you and if that doesnt work he'll probably just give you a new shub which will just do the same thing. I was forced to have a shub when I upgraded to 100mbit when it first came out and the speed tests I got were rubbish as well (shub again) so I went back to my old modem.

The best bit of advice I can give to you dude if you continue to experience problems is to ditch the shub and put it in modem mode and buy yourself a decent router which you know is going to perform and do the job it is supposed to.

gaz2810i

12-04-2012, 13:02

Right Engineer just left and after quite a while I he could see the problem. However, he couldn't understand what it was.

He changed the Super-hub and directly routed it to my Macbook Pro in Modem mode and we saw 100meg, great we thought. :)

He then tried router mode and over wirless with my laptop 6 inches away from the router we saw only 30meg :(

He changed a few things and we could get it upto 45-50 meg but no higher.

He then returned the Super hub to modem mode and added a D-Link Dir-615. Again the most I could get was 50 meg :mad:

He agreed that this was low but stated that it may be my mac and is returning tomorrow with a Windows 7 Laptop to see if it improves. :dozey:

I have since spent the last hour trying various settings in both my mac and the router and the max I can get is 50 meg over Wifi, Why? When I had 50 meg, a few weeks, ago I rarely (except in peak time) saw below 40 meg so 90% of my total speed

I have a 2011 Macbook pro 2.66 Ghz dual core i7 with 4gb of ram and running the latest software 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard)

What am I doing wrong, what am I missing? I know speeds will be lower over wi fi but surly not over 50% slower standing close to the router :erm:

---------- Post added at 12:41 ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 ----------

Just tested having jsut posted to show you what I mean and here was my result

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/04/95.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

---------- Post added at 12:51 ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 ----------

Having reset my laptop, taken Super Hub out of Modem mode and connected it directly to the Laptop

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/04/96.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

---------- Post added at 12:55 ---------- Previous post was at 12:51 ----------

Router placed in Modem mode and restarted.

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/04/97.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

---------- Post added at 13:02 ---------- Previous post was at 12:55 ----------

OK to just reset everything again, this time reconnecting the D-link router and placing the Super Hub in Modem modem.

Now I get:

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/04/98.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

craigj2k12

12-04-2012, 13:19

turn off QoS on the d-link

thenry

12-04-2012, 13:23

download a wifi analyzer app on your phone and open it. let it scan for networks and note which channel each uses. then set your wireless network to use a channel that isnt in use.

could you post up what wifi card/adapter you have?

2 things when the engineer comes back. get him to stick a 6dB attenuator on your SH and ask for the wireless USB adapter you should have got free if you havent already got it.

gaz2810i

12-04-2012, 13:36

turn off QoS on the d-link

Done

---------- Post added at 13:36 ---------- Previous post was at 13:34 ----------

download a wifi analyzer app on your phone and open it. let it scan for networks and note which channel each uses. then set your wireless network to use a channel that isnt in use.

could you post up what wifi card/adapter you have?

2 things when the engineer comes back. get him to stick a 6dB attenuator on your SH and ask for the wireless USB adapter you should have got free if you havent already got it.

Using my inbuilt Airport card.

I am on my way out and will download one when I get back. I am currently operating on channel 6 with the D-link, which if I remembered rightly is one that wasn't that congested when I tested a while back but things may have changed.

And no I haven't got the USB adaptor, also what would a 6db attenuator help with, power levels?

thenry

12-04-2012, 13:44

Using my inbuilt Airport card.

is there a model number?

I am on my way out and will download one when I get back. I am currently operating on channel 6 with the D-link, which if I remembered rightly is one that wasn't that congested when I tested a while back but things may have changed.

ok

And no I haven't got the USB adaptor, also what would a 6db attenuator help with, power levels?

ask for the adapter, your entitled to it plus you can test. and yes the 6dB attenuator will help lower power levels and future proof you when more channels get pushed.

General Maximus

12-04-2012, 14:51

Being right next to the router doesnt always help depending what direction the antennas are facing. See what speed you get in the next room. have you checked to see if your mac and dlink router have got gigabit ports?

gaz2810i

12-04-2012, 15:20

is there a model number?

These are the details of my Airport Card

Software Versions:
Menu Extra: 6.2.2 (622.2)
configd plug-in: 6.2.5 (625.6)
System Profiler: 6.0.1 (601.1)
Network Preference: 6.2.2 (622.2)
AirPort Utility: 5.5.3 (553.20)
IO80211 Family: 3.2 (320.1)
Interfaces:
en1:
Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x93)
Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.131.42.4)
Locale: ETSI
Country Code: GB
Supported PHY Modes: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Supported Channels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140
Wake On Wireless: Supported
Status: Connected
Current Network Information:

Here are the wireless Networks being found by my Mac... The one in red is mine I believe.

Current Network Information:
dlink:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: f0:7d:68:44:3c:f4
Channel: 6
Country Code: GB
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -58 dBm / -93 dBm
Transmit Rate: 52
MCS Index: 5
Other Local Wireless Networks:
SKY05963:
PHY Mode: 802.11g
BSSID: 34:8:4:33:e3:b3
Channel: 11
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -86 dBm / -82 dBm
SKY32855:
PHY Mode: 802.11g
BSSID: 0:24:b2:3a:32:b6
Channel: 1
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA Personal
Signal / Noise: -85 dBm / -92 dBm
SKY33087:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: 98:8b:5d:ef:81:40
Channel: 11
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -85 dBm / -92 dBm
TALKTALK-31CCC6:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: 34:8:4:31:cc:c6
Channel: 1
Country Code: GB
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -78 dBm / -92 dBm
virginmedia8477149:
PHY Mode: 802.11n
BSSID: a0:21:b7:d3:3e:e0
Channel: 11
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -82 dBm / -92 dBm

---------- Post added at 15:20 ---------- Previous post was at 14:58 ----------

Being right next to the router doesnt always help depending what direction the antennas are facing. See what speed you get in the next room. have you checked to see if your mac and dlink router have got gigabit ports?

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/04/94.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

This was in another room with the QoS on the d-link off.

At least I seem to be getting a constant reading now. I just don't understand why I was only getting a little less than this when I was on 50meg and even hit 50 meg over wireless on occasion, yet I now never get above 50 over wireless and as seen earlier I have, quite regularly get a lot less. It's almost like I have a cap my wifi connections.

thenry

12-04-2012, 15:24

is bluetooth disabled?

gaz2810i

12-04-2012, 16:02

is bluetooth disabled?

Bluetooth is off and I have switched to Channel 11

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/04/92.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

I have looked and from what I can see I have 9 networks close by. 2 are on 6 (Dlinks default), 2 are on 11, 3 are on 1 and 1 is on 2

I tried auto and this was what I got.

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/04/93.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

:(

Am I expecting too much?

thenry

12-04-2012, 16:09

gaz2810i

12-04-2012, 16:25

google pulls up firmware/software issues with the built in wireless card but im not sure thats been sorted?

test the USB adapter tomorrow when the tech comes back.

auto function sucks.

try channel 13

Back with Channel 6

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/04/90.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

I will try and see how 13 works

---------- Post added at 16:25 ---------- Previous post was at 16:19 ----------

http://www.pingtest.net/result/60786935.png (http://www.pingtest.net)

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/04/91.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

I thought I would try a different server :dozey:

thenry

12-04-2012, 16:28

try manchester

and

www.speedtester.bt.com

and

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/download.html

gaz2810i

12-04-2012, 16:39

Manchester

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/04/89.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

I'm downloading the 1gb, using the think broadband tool, and It took 3 minutes to get to 0.3 and I cancelled it.

thenry

12-04-2012, 16:53

dunno try the adapter tomorrow

gaz2810i

12-04-2012, 17:33

dunno try the adapter tomorrow

Thanks all your help has been really appreciated.

I'm of out for the evening so will commence testing tomorrow once the guy has been. I will certainly try the adaptor if he will give me one. Fingers crossed.

jb66

12-04-2012, 20:17

Daveoc64

12-04-2012, 22:42

Don't ask me why it worked fine before and now that you have upgraded it is having problems.

Back when the old Superhub firmware allowed SSH access to the device, it was possible to monitor the CPU usage of the Superhub.

People observed that it had higher CPU usage on the higher tiers (as you might expect), but that even on the lower tiers (30mbps) it was reaching ~75% CPU utilisation.

Depending on how many connections that the Superhub is handling at a specific point in time, it's possible that it could become "overloaded" and that might cause:

a) Packets to be dropped
b) A Superhub reboot
c) Other bad symptoms

This might also be exacerbated by a slightly faulty Superhub or in a situation like hot weather where it could overheat.

gaz2810i

12-04-2012, 23:17

Virgin dont garuntee wifi speeds, I only do a wired test.

I don't see the point in him coming back, you've diagnosed you can get 100meg wired so the connection is fine. You have Tried two wifi devices with similar results its either wireless interference or your laptop, so there is nothing virgin can do about any of those issues

Sorry but I haven't tried two wifi devices, hence why he is coming back. I am fine if there is nothing more they can do but that's not the only reason for asking advice is it? Do you have any suggestions that help me or do you simply want me to stop posting as its not an issue with Virgin, as you say? Any other sites that can offer me advice on how I can get close to the speeds I pay virgin for, over wifi, using my mac? Sorry if I irritated you in anyway...

jb66

12-04-2012, 23:57

gaz2810i

13-04-2012, 01:10

I ment you've tried two wifi routers, It's great you have found a tech who is going beyond the call of duty to come back with another laptop and I wish you all the best in getting it resolved, since the 100meg has been in my area ive never seen anyone hit over 60meg wirelessly, yet will be interesting to see if you can improve it

So why was I able to get close to 50 meg when I was on the 50 meg tariff but now I am on 100 meg I still can only get get close to 50 meg?

I just don't get it? Is wifi capped at 50? is it even worth going to 100 if you only ever intend on using wifi?

I guess I am just expecting to much...

General Maximus

13-04-2012, 08:34

Back when the old Superhub firmware allowed SSH access to the device, it was possible to monitor the CPU usage of the Superhub.

People observed that it had higher CPU usage on the higher tiers (as you might expect), but that even on the lower tiers (30mbps) it was reaching ~75% CPU utilisation.

Depending on how many connections that the Superhub is handling at a specific point in time, it's possible that it could become "overloaded" and that might cause:

a) Packets to be dropped
b) A Superhub reboot
c) Other bad symptoms

This might also be exacerbated by a slightly faulty Superhub or in a situation like hot weather where it could overheat.

good point dude, I would love to give it a go thrashing on torrents and see what happens. Shows it isnt going to be able to handle 400mbit though.

---------- Post added at 08:34 ---------- Previous post was at 08:30 ----------

Is wi-fi capped at 50?

Nope, but your speed can be dependant on a lot of things such as the environment you are in and interference, the type of adapter you are using in your laptop (802.11g is 54mbit) and what the shub/router is set at. You'll see the new 802.11n routers will say they can do up to 300mbit.

arcimedes

13-04-2012, 09:41

This is just an example of what can be achieved. I have streamed a video file from my NAS to the PC over a 1Gbit connection and get 11Mbits/sec and if I copy the file as well I can get the total speed up to 160Mbits/sec. Both 1 Gbit ports are connected on a swich so dont have to go to the router at all. If I do the same via wireless for the PC then the maximum rate I get is 52Mbits/sec (on a 802.11n card) the card properties state that its running at 144Mbps.

Firmsky

13-04-2012, 09:57

I have achieved 100Mbps speeds wirelessly with my SH in modem mode and using my Airport Extreme to a 2011 iMac.

gaz2810i

13-04-2012, 12:57

I have achieved 100Mbps speeds wirelessly with my SH in modem mode and using my Airport Extreme to a 2011 iMac.

Would you recommend a Airport Xtreme?

jb66

13-04-2012, 17:17

I would, it's the best router I've ever seen, not tried it with 100meg yet

craigj2k12

13-04-2012, 18:57

I wouldnt rate it above some other brands, to be honest I dont rate apple products at all

General Maximus

13-04-2012, 19:33

me neither, i refuse to use anything of appleness

craigj2k12

13-04-2012, 22:16

its all mid ranged spec but severely overpriced - I avoid it like the plague

Firmsky

13-04-2012, 22:24

I needed a dual band router and it was similar price to the other routers that featured dual band. I'm thoroughly impressed with it, superb wireless range. You'll always get Apple haters. (Not looking for any debates around this) we all have differing opinions and different needs.

I was asked if I'd recommend the router and yes I would, it's around the same price as other dual band routers.

gaz2810i

13-04-2012, 22:40

I'm looking for a Dual band router and I can't decide between these;

Apple Airport Extreme
Cisco linksys e4200
Netgear WNDR3800
Netgear WNDR4500

Firmsky

13-04-2012, 22:57

Afraid I have no knowledge of the others but I'm sure others can offer their own experience of those. Go for the best price if they're all similar spec!

craigj2k12

13-04-2012, 23:00

linksys e4200 is a real good router, ill be getting one myself soon :)

gaz2810i

13-04-2012, 23:05

Afraid I have no knowledge of the others but I'm sure others can offer their own experience of those. Go for the best price if they're all similar spec!

The problem is they're not. The Apple and the Netgear WNDR3800 are slightly lower spec'd but offer better functionality, while the Linksy and Netgear WNDR4500 offer better performance, although looking at the reviews it's unclear if in the real world it really matters. :confused:

---------- Post added at 23:05 ---------- Previous post was at 23:04 ----------

linksys e4200 is a real good router, ill be getting one myself soon :)

Why did you choose this over other routers being offered?

craigj2k12

13-04-2012, 23:09

Why did you choose this over other routers being offered?

Great brand, great spec, great firmware. Its the best on the market at the moment

gaz2810i

13-04-2012, 23:13

Great brand, great spec, great firmware. Its the best on the market at the moment

I must admit it does have the best spec and the best looks. However, it is also the most expensive :(

craigj2k12

14-04-2012, 01:13

That was the kind of thinking that got VM into the Netgear/Superhub situation :)

jb66

14-04-2012, 07:39

That was the kind of thinking that got VM into the Netgear/Superhub situation :)

Lol, I don't think I could reccomended net gear ever again

gaz2810i

14-04-2012, 14:50

jb66

14-04-2012, 15:51

Least you know you need a better router as your house has too much interference,

General Maximus

14-04-2012, 18:21

The engineer cam round yesterday and got the same poor wireless performance from his Windows 7 Laptop. I am getting great service from Virgin right now and can only commend them for their efforts. I received a phone cal today telling me that the problem has been elevated to a higher team and I will be getting a phonecall and then visit early next week :)

Has anybody used Broadbandbuyer.co.uk to purchase routers and other network devices?

the sad thing is that they know they are wasting their own time and money. They know the shub is pants for wireless so escalating it to a "higher team" is a load of twoddle. For the amount of money they have spent sending people round they could have bought you a proper router by now. As it is they'll just end up swapping the shub over.