Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

I am currently experiencing ongoing issues with my Power over Ethernet system used for my computer. I am now sceptical on whether it could either be my broadband service (Virgin Media) or it is just my power circuits running in the house. So the problems that arise when playing games and browsing the internet is constant lag spikes and disconnects from the internet. It seems to happens every hour or so.

I also created a thread on Virgin's Help & Support Forum regarding the issues and have been advised to reset my router and wait for a few days to then bump the thread so that they can see whether they can identify a problem with the Superhub.

Now, I am currently experiencing ongoing issues with my Power over Ethernet system used for my computer. I am now sceptical on whether it could either be my broadband service (Virgin Media) or it is just my power circuits running in the house. So, the problems that arise when playing games and browsing the internet is constant lag spikes and disconnects from the internet. It seems to happens every hour or so. Now, I have also made a thread on Virgin's Help & Support Forum regarding the issues and have been advised to reset my router and wait for a few days to then bump the thread so that they can see whether they can identify a problem with the Superhub. Although, I'm having doubts on the fact that the Power over Ethernet system is actually affecting the consistency and throughput. Although, I'm having doubts on the fact that the PoE system is actually affecting the consistency and throughput. I believe that our house has two power circuits so I'm not exactly sure on what and how this can affect my connection to the Superhub.

Suggestions are welcomed and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to leave a message below.

Edit: Another thread I created from Virgin Media's Help & Support Forum (if it will help): http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/...e/td-p/1628012

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Welcome to the forum.

I believe you are actually referring to a Powerline networking system, and not Power over Ethernet. PoE is a system to enable small devices (such as cameras and Wireless Access points) to get enough power over an ethernet cable that they do not need a seperate power supply. Its primary use is in commercial environments where they need things like WAPs and cameras, and don't wish to add extra power sockets to power them.

Powerline networking is where you plug a special adaptor into the mains, then run an Ethernet cable from that adaptor.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Thanks for the warm welcoming!

Anyway back to the issue, the broadband itself seems to be relatively stable. I've run several speedtests on my iPhone and I actually seem to get much better results. I just ran a test on that and I seem to get ~30ms, ~30Mbps download and around 1.70Mbps of upload. My computer however is giving me about ~20ms, ~10Mbps download and 1.33Mbps upload. Although, the priority is the stability that is very much needed for what I do so I'm still unsure on why I'm experiencing disconnects every so often.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

could you get a ping monitor running...

now...

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/12/3.png

So it appears to have been set up now. Would we just need to wait for results now?

Also, I can give you both my downstream and upstream channels if that helps:

Downstream Channels
Lock Status Channel ID Frequency Modulation Rx Power SNR Pre RS Errors Post RS Errors
Locked 77 306750000 Hz QAM256 2.8 dBmV 40.9 dB 23616 2315
Locked 73 290750000 Hz QAM256 1.9 dBmV 40.3 dB 40936 4004
Locked 74 298750000 Hz QAM256 2.2 dBmV 40.4 dB 29602 3177
Locked 78 314750000 Hz QAM256 3.2 dBmV 41.2 dB 28842 2117
Locked 79 322750000 Hz QAM256 3.6 dBmV 41.4 dB 14817 1467
Unlocked Unknown 0 Hz Unknown 0.0 dBmV 0.0 dB Unknown Unknown
Unlocked Unknown 0 Hz Unknown 0.0 dBmV 0.0 dB Unknown Unknown
Unlocked Unknown 0 Hz Unknown 0.0 dBmV 0.0 dB Unknown Unknown

Upstream Channels
Lock Status Channel ID Frequency Modulation Tx Power Mode Channel Bandwidth Symbol Rate
Locked 3 27400000 Hz ATDMA 43.3 dBmV 16QAM 1600000 5120 Kbits/sec
Unlocked 0 0 Hz Unknown 0.0 dBmV Unknown Unknown 0 Kbits/sec
Unlocked 0 0 Hz Unknown 0.0 dBmV Unknown Unknown 0 Kbits/sec
Unlocked 0 0 Hz Unknown 0.0 dBmV Unknown Unknown 0 Kbits/sec

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

ye just leave the ping monitor and SuperHub running. it wont kill anything and is safe. from the little i see so far on the monitor shows a lack of capacity, stability on the network. your power levels are fine. whats your double broadband speed ETA?

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Between May and August in 2013.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

have you checked over lease time in DHCP settings within the SuperHub setting?

do disconnections happen to devices/systems connected directly to the SuperHub or is it only through the powerline adapters?

have you had a look at your SuperHub lights on the side when the disconnections happen to see if the SuperHub is reloading?

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

The DHCP Lease Time is set at 1 Day.

Disconnections happen to just my computer (which is the only device in our house that's connected via a powerline adapter).

I have not yet checked the Superhub lights and whether they react to the disconnection. Next time I disconnect, I'll run downstairs and check to see whether something does happen.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

ok.

which powerline adapters have you got, make and model?

how long has this been going on, when did it start playing up? was it going on in the past when you may of been connected to other kit (VM standalone modem and router or the standard Hub etc.) at the time?

is it just a PC that connects to the powerline adapter or do you hook up a console etc. as well? if so does it happen to that or those adapters? if not and its only the PC have you checked over your network adapter settings, DHCP settings and all on the computer?

you wont really need to run downstairs now. the ping monitor will pick it up and show red for disconnections/outage/packet loss.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

http://www.netgear.co.uk/home/produc.../XAVB1004.aspx - This is the powerline adapter kit I have. Netgear is the make and the model number is XAVB1004.

It's been going on for about a week now. I have only been at this house for one week as well. It's been like this since day 1 (which is when the powerline adapter was installed). Previously we have had other issues with the router which is why Virgin installed a Superhub. I believe other devices are able to connect to it wirelessly without any problems whatsoever. I do regular speed checks on my iPhone and seem to get great results at all times.

Yes, my computer is the only device that connects to the powerline adapter.

Here is the DHCP Lease Table for our network:

IP Lease Table
Device Name IP Address Expires

Lukes-PC 192.168.0.6 30-Dec-2012 14:11
User-PC 192.168.0.3 30-Dec-2012 22:31

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

you say theres two electric circuits?

so you have the adapter where the SuperHub is then the Netgear powerline Hub elsewhere? does the netgear powerline hub have a setup IP? if 192.168.0.1 is the IP to access the web interface it may conflict with the SuperHub when trying to access it which means disconnecting the powerline plug where your SuperHub is then accessing. while theres no link to the SuperHub. have a look at your settings there.

what was the wireless issue with previous kit? what kit did you have prior to getting the SuperHub ?

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Yes that is correct, the adapter is where the Superhub is and the Netgear powerline hub is next to my computer. I have not configured it to the extend of assigning it an IP address I dont think.

The wireless issue was just a cable problem on the router. It was a very fault/loose cable so I don't think it actually was a routing problem.

Also just to note, I have disabled Port Scan Detection and IP Flood Detection under the Firewall on my Superhub.

Edit: What I will do now is I will install the software that was included with the Netgear powerline adapter kit.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

probably a load of bloatware but there may be some stuff in there thats of use to you. is there a web IP stated to access settings of the hub in the manual?

you mentioned two electric circuits in your home?

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

No there is not anything about configuring settings for a web IP or anything.
I searched through all of the manuals and there didn't seem to be anything IP related whatsoever.

Yes, we have two electric circuits in our home.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

ok. let us know what the setup CD installs. it should tell you during install. and of course if your connection stabilizes.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Right, well the software that I installed from the CD given to me is called Netgear Powerline Utility.

Here is what the software looks like when running

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/12/2.png

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

configure it.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Well to start with, I've tried putting a new encryption key into it and then I am unable to connect to the internet afterwards. I will try and set an encryption key for both of them. But would this make any difference?

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

its got wifi ?

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Not too sure although I have now set up the encryption between both the devices though. Also, I'm the only person currently connected to the broadband so there are no conflicts between devices.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

there shouldnt be anyway mate. how much was the Netgear powerline kit? are you able to get a refund?

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Perhaps. Although I'm not too sure on what really is the problem. I am able to connect with the powerline adapter just fine. I have this installed in my other home too and it works just fine and is generally very stable. I'm questioning whether it is something to do with the power circuits that is causing the disconnects/spikes.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

spikes on the ping monitor is the VM network your connected to. basically usage thats going on.

the circuit may well be crap and causing problems for your powerline connection. you say generally very stable in your other home? i did a bit of reading on the powerline kit youve got and well i wouldnt buy it. id go for TP Link products (posting from my phone)..

Powerline
200Mb > http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004...sr=8-1&pi=SL75
500Mb gigabit > http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B005...sr=8-7&pi=SL75

Switch (gigabit)
5 port > http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000...sr=8-6&pi=SL75
8 port > http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B003...sr=8-2&pi=SL75

there are other TP Link products. have a look

Powerline > www.tp-link.com/en/products/?categoryid=206
Switch > www.tp-link.com/en/products/?categoryid=204

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Right. Well I'm now thinking whether it would be worth refunding the item. I bought it from Scan and of course I looked at the reviews before buying it.http://www.scan.co.uk/products/netge...connection-kit

They all seem to be relatively positive and I just can't really see anything negative about it. Like I said, it's seems to be fully functioning now at its best so I'm thinking that it must have something to do with the power circuits.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

poor electrics may be. go around your home and turn things on/off one by one that could cause it to mess up. then all together. dont blame me if people in your home think your weird. the world just doesnt understand at 3am.

1 few negative...

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Right, well thanks ever so much for all the information you have provided. I have now updated the encryption keys so that should be the solution if it was having integration issues.

Edit: I now just realised that both the Superhub and the powerline adapter were both plugged into a three-way-strip. I just unplugged them both and put them in a regular power socket and will see if this makes any difference.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

your welcome.

the powerline plugs need to be directly into the mains, wall socket. it should say that on the box/instructions/manual?

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Well yes it did and I did try swapping them over a few days ago and to me it seemed like it didn't make a difference. I probably didn't test it properly but oh well...

Just a quick question, should I also have my Superhub connected to a main power socket or would that be fine in the three-way-strip on its own?

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

the SuperHub can be put on a gang extension cable, I think :erm:

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Right okay. Also I checked the connection and that graph seems to have improved over last night. There still seems to be a few spikes now and then but it's definitely changed.

---------- Post added at 12:23 ---------- Previous post was at 10:56 ----------

Update: I switched my router back over to the power strip and performance seems to have gotten worse. Am still experiencing disconnects and high latency although I'm not sure if it was performing better in the power sockets, may not have made a difference as I switched it back to them earlier and they didn't seem to make a big difference.

Still getting great Speedtest results on my iPhone too.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

I decided to take a few pictures of my Superhub and the setup.

Superhub

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...012/12/1.jpg?1

Powerline adapter (seperate from the Superhub now)

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...012/12/2.jpg?1

Also here's a screenshot of an example when my ping goes ridiculously high

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2012/12/1.png

Hope this helps.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Hah, so he's actually referring to Ethernet over Power.

re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

That I am.

UPDATE: Am now using an ethernet directly connected between my computer and router. It seems to be stable now and am getting the full speed but I am still experiencing lag spikes rather frequently (ranges between 500/3000) on a ping meter via Teamspeak. I am still monitoring it but that is the only problem now.

Re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Your ping monitor shows serious problems on your internet connection. Whether or not your local network is adding to it is really irrelevant at this point, everything on your network will see packet loss and lag spikes until your internet connection is fixed.

Re: Powerline network - Stability Issues
 

Indeed, I acknowledge that.

Now after patiently waiting for Virgin to respond they finally came to a conclusion. I guess it has something to do with their side of things. This was their response.

I mean it will probably take them a couple of months to actually come out and fix the problem but at least the problem has been identified somewhat.