Network Card query
 

I am having serious problems on my BB so spent an hour on the phone yesterday trying to get it sorted (unsuccessfully).

I have a 100MBPS card but was told by the phone rep that with that I should only get around 70% or 70/80 MBPS and said I should upgrade to 1GBPS. Is this true?

I'm guessing I will need to upgrade to receive the upgrade when available but that 70% thing gets me.

Re: Network Card query
 

The short answer is that TCP/IP network connections have "overheads" which use up about 20% of the available bandwidth. Therefore at full chat your 100mbit network card will only be able to provide 80mbit actual data throughput.

Re: Network Card query
 

thanks - I never realized that before.

Re: Network Card query
 

yeah, without going into too much detail the data packets you receive and send are divided into sections. Obviously a large porion of it is the actual data you want (e.g. this forum page) but along with that is other info such as the source and destination ip address so that when the packet is travelling along the network each router it comes to know where it has got to forward it to for the next hop. That is just some of the info and that obviously takes up some space.

I assume the problems you are having are speed related. Have you got a pc or a laptop? If you have got a pc you are going to have to get a usb nic, if you have got a pc you can go for the same or get a pci card which you can pop into your pc which is far much better in the mong term. Something like this would be good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TG-3...ds=gigabit+nic

Re: Network Card query
 

Have both :)

Just had engineer around for ages + couldn't resolve on either. He even took my laptop to the street box but still had the speed issues though he swears everything is ok at the box (can't be).

He is getting his boss to come out and have a look though it sounds to me like a VM issue.

Re: Network Card query
 

What speeds are you getting, and what speeds are you expecting?

Re: Network Card query
 

I would assume that both your pc and laptop aren't old enough to both have 100mbit nics, one of them must be gigabit? Dito what rhyds said. What speed are you provisioned for? (i.e. are you on the 100/6 tier, 152/12 etc?)

Re: Network Card query
 

pc has 100MBPS card
Laptop ? but I'd guess 1GB

get between 5MB and 30 MB on speedtest though s/b 100 or 120

Re: Network Card query
 

damn, that isn't good even if your nic is only 100mbits. For the price though, and given the way things are going speed wise, I would defo invest in a gigabit network card for your pc whilst at the same time making sure VM do something to improve your connection.

Getting a new nic, ensuring that you are using cat5e patch cables and using a router (presumably you have got a shub) with gigabit ports all eliminate potential bottlenecks and stops VM from using them as an excuse.

Re: Network Card query
 

This is usually the time where we ask whats your power level looks like and if you could setup something like thinkbroaband quality monitor.

You can check the power levels from the superhub on the status page before you login to it.

Saying that if you already have engineers and senior at that coming out hopefully they will sort out what ever the problem on your line is.

Re: Network Card query
 

The real answer is that is bollocks, TCP/IP overheads will cause you to lose up to 2% of the available bandwidth. If you are losing 20% something is seriously screwed up with your connection and has nothing to do with TCP/IP ---------- Post added at 06:40 ---------- Previous post was at 06:38 ---------- There is no such thing as a 100MBPS card, nor is there any such thing as a 1GB card. You must be mixing up MBPS and Mbps. Nonetheless, you should be getting 95Mbps+ on a 100Mbps card.

If multiple devices are getting such low speeds chances are you have a dodgy VM connection or congestion, which is not uncommon. Particularly if speeds are higher at off-peak times of day.

Re: Network Card query
 

We all knew what he meant, there's no need to get pedantic about it. Not everyone is aware of the difference between Mb's and MB's.

That said...

I agree with this. On a 100mbit interface, you should be able to hit 90+ easily and peak at around 94Mbps, give or take. That's what I used to get when I was still using a DIR-615 (which only has 100Mbps ports) on a 100Mbps connection and is quite a common.

The is absolutely definitely an issue somewhere and I doubt it's the network card.

Re: Network Card query
 

I was basing my answer on some speed testing I did for my uni thesis about 10 years ago comparing 10/100mbit ethernet with wireless and a 14mbit powerline link using iperf.

Re: Network Card query
 

no sign of the senior engineer yet ( no call either)

this mornings test:

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2014/08/14.png

Re: Network Card query
 

it shouldn't be that bad att 2am. I am assuming you are on 120/12 because the only other tier below that is 100/6 (100/10 got upgraded aged to 120/12 ages ago).

As nobody has come round yet can you post your power levels to satisfy curiosity.

Re: Network Card query
 

sorry to be thick (not everyone has the knowledge LOL) what are power levels and where do I find them?

If it helps they swapped my modem to a SuperHub 2.




is this it?

Downstream DS-1 DS-2 DS-3 DS-4 DS-5 DS-6 DS-7 DS-8
Frequency (Hz) 299000000 267000000 275000000 283000000 291000000 307000000 315000000 323000000
Lock Status(QAM Lock/FEC Sync/MPEG Lock) Locked Locked Locked Locked Locked Locked Locked Locked
Channel ID 48 44 45 46 47 49 50 51
Modulation 256QAM 256QAM 256QAM 256QAM 256QAM 256QAM 256QAM 256QAM
Symbol Rate (Msym/sec) 6.952000 6.952000 6.952000 6.952000 6.952000 6.952000 6.952000 6.952000
Interleave Depth I=12
J=17 I=12
J=17 I=12
J=17 I=12
J=17 I=12
J=17 I=12
J=17 I=12
J=17 I=12
J=17
Power Level (dBmV) -2.05 -1.29 -1.44 -1.74 -1.90 -2.14 -2.31 -2.53
RxMER (dB) 36.84 36.84 36.84 36.84 37.09 37.09 37.09 36.84
Pre RS Errors 4012 5199 4750 2030 632 655 655 636
Post RS Errors 300 285 292 300 281 292 281 298

Re: Network Card query
 

Go to http://192.168.0.1 and click on Router Status in the top right and you should get a page which looks like this

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2014/08/28.jpg

and we want the info out of the tabs I have circled which are going to look like this (in order)

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2014/08/29.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2014/08/30.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2014/08/31.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2014/08/32.jpg

Re: Network Card query
 

The kind of speed results he is getting are more typical if WiFi. We have been assuming that ethernet is being used.

Re: Network Card query
 

these tests were with an ethernet connection.

---------- Post added at 13:39 ---------- Previous post was at 13:29 ----------

another stupid question General Maximus - how did you get the tables to print like that? Alt Print Scrn doesnt work.

Re: Network Card query
 

what are you pressing Alt for? I just press PrtScn (Print Screen). Depending where the button is on your keyboard you might need to either press an F Lock key to switch the mode of a bank of keys from their default to secondary function (e.g. all my F keys have secondary functions) or the desired function (i.e. print screen) might be colour coded blue so you hold down the blue Fn (Function) button and hit the key at the same time (as in the case of laptops)

Re: Network Card query
 

not getting ability to paste under any system. I have managed using the snipping tool to save images to desktop but not managed to copy + paste them yet - still trying.

Re: Network Card query
 

when you hit print screen it takes a screen dump and puts it on the clipboard. You need an image editing tool like Photoshop to paste the image and then cut it and save it as a jpeg.

Edit: I have just laughed my ass off, I have just checked and MS Paint can do it believe it or not. It has come along way since I last used it about 20 years ago.

Re: Network Card query
 

Attachment 25638

Attachment 25639

Attachment 25640

Attachment 25641

Re: Network Card query
 

Attachment 25642

Attachment 25643




phew - hope that's ok

Re: Network Card query
 

was kinda hoping thru the course of the day they would have realized the problem and fixed it without coming to my home again.

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2014/08/13.png

alas no :(

Re: Network Card query
 

You are on 120/12 and obviously what you are getting isn't anywhere near close. Your power levels are absolutely fine. I know this is a stupid question but have you tried unplugging the shub and plugging it back in again? I am curious to see what happens with the config file and maintenance requests.

Anyways, from the looks of things the problem isn't your end and you might find that the senior tech has realised this and instead of wasting time coming out, he has escalated it to be looked at by networks.

Re: Network Card query
 

Hi - yes I had unplugged the hub for two minutes twice - also they changed me over to a superhub 2 yesterday.

Was just informed via India that senior guy will be here by 16:30. I'll keep you posted.

Re: Network Card query
 

Funny what you do automatically when you arent thinking about things. I just read that and said "I don't think so" out loud without even realising it. The muppets in India don't realise how much they infuriate customers by making false promises. I stand by my previous post and if JB is around he'll hopefully agree.

Re: Network Card query
 

ok - techy just left

after spending ages out by the box in the street he proclaimed it a network issue and is passing it through to them to hopefully resolve tomorrow.

thanks guys;)

Re: Network Card query
 

wow, I amazed anyone actually came. Networks are really good at get things fixed once they have been mad aware of the problem (if it is fixable). The problem is going to be whether your speed issues are a result of a fault (which they can fix) or if it is due to congestion.

Re: Network Card query
 

Hopefully the tech has actually passed on the information to networks, as well...

Re: Network Card query
 

I had a fault like this a while back. The hub was locked on to 8 channels but only 1 was actually doing anything so the maximum you can get on one downstream was around 30-40meg.

If the PT has ran a speedtest from the cab then that rules out your whole installation as a fault. Looks like networks will be on the case tomorrow

Re: Network Card query
 

was getting in the 80's up to last week so will be rather disappointed to get less.

Re: Network Card query
 

UNBELIEVABLE

I was out today - my wife had a knock on the door from someone from VM asking if everything was ok? - She didn't know the problem so couldn't check. When I got home I did a speedtest and NO CHANGE.

I phoned India again and was told the engineer closed the call :(. She then went through everything again on my computer (why?) and booked a technician
for Saturday (I wasn't available tomorrow). She swears it is a network technician - we will see.

Re: Network Card query
 

in order for it to get escalated to the right peeps pronto when the dude comes round on Saturday you need to explain what has happened thus far and that an installation fault on the premises has already been ruled and it needs to be passed on to networks.

He/she will also need to look into whatever has been done today because they obviously think they have done something to fix it this morning or last night and it hasn't worked.

Re: Network Card query
 

Is there a number I can phone to either talk to Networks directly or to retentions?

This is just in case things go as I fear they will :(

Re: Network Card query
 

You can ring retentions, I don't know what the options are but when you ring VM you select "if you are thinking of leaving us please press option ....

You can't talk to networks, they are classed as 2nd line support and don't like to talk to plebs like us :)

Re: Network Card query
 

Ok - this is positive

Friendly chatty Engineer called Alex came out. I explained things as you suggested. He said funny that he had just come from a 152MB installation on Alton Road that has the same issue (just up the road). He rang someone to confirm it was on the same feed and it is. Call was booked already for other client. He said to give him a call on Tuesday to see if it was resolved . The important thing here is he gave me his mobile number to contact him directly.

Re: Network Card query
 

that is good, same thing happened to me years when there was an outage. India booked a tech for each outage and when the tech came round I explained what had happened and he said he has just been to a call round the corner for the same problem. He left immediately and went to the next call round the corner and rang me back and said everyone has the same problem and he was going to escalate it to networks. 4 hours later everything was up and running and he rang me back to make sure everything was ok. I was well chuffed with the efficiency.

Re: Network Card query
 

Atl+PrtScrn captures the current window only instead of the whole screen. For those of us with large screens and lots of windows open it helps a great deal.

-_-

I've been using MSPaint and nothing but MSPaint to deal with screen caps since Windows 98, the first Windows I ever used.... I can't believe you didn't realise this till now.

Re: Network Card query
 

I can honestly say I haven't used it since about 1995 on Windows 95. From about 1998 onwards I used a prog a friend gave me called Paintshop Pro until I moved over to Photoshop in 2001 ish.

Re: Network Card query
 

Snap!:D

Re: Network Card query
 

I have returned because all these fond memories are coming back to me now I have started thinking about the last time I used MS Paint. It was the go-to prog to pass time during I.T lessons in school where you would have fun drawing heavily pixelated pictures of rubbish. And at that time that was pretty much all it could do. I think it could only save files as bmps as well.

Re: Network Card query
 

On the subject of screenshots, I highly recommend Greenshot. Hit Print Screen and it pops up a menu - from there you can copy to your clipboard, save as a PNG, upload to various places and then get a link in your clipboard. Awesome tool - and freeeeee.

Re: Network Card query
 

Actually no, I did use Windows 3.1, and later, Windows 1.0 at one point, but Win98 was the first I legitimately owned on my own computer.

---------- Post added at 22:29 ---------- Previous post was at 22:29 ----------

I wonder why such an ability hasn't been built into Windows already. It's a basic feature of almost all other operating systems, even mobile phones and tablets.

Re: Network Card query
 

this has got to be the test results of test results:

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2014/08/12.png


I was told they are up the road working on it so I drove by and sure enough they are.

Re: Network Card query
 

ouch. At least you know they are doing something about it. Keep us updated.

Re: Network Card query
 

just had the senior VM engineer phone + leave his number. Said they found the fault to be further up the line + should be fixed by the end of the week.

Said to use him as my contact from now on.

Re: Network Card query
 

I think I said this at the start of the thread (or another one). If it is a network fault, the further up the line it goes, the more people it will server and the more people will be impacted so it makes me wonder why they haven't picked up on it before now because the number of tech calls they must have had for it would have been enormous. Surely somebody who looks after this stuff can put 2 and 2 together.

Re: Network Card query
 

it does make you wonder for sure. I'm guessing unless people stream as I do with a Slingbox they just might not notice or check later (meaning leave it an hour or so and try again - if they are getting 30MB they might think it is ok) and it isn't as noticeable then.

Re: Network Card query
 

'Further up the line' pretty much means anything up from the cab, which may serve a few dozen to a hundred homes, so not a huge number of people. Could be something like a line amp or rectifier going dodgy between your cab and the next cab along, which sometimes affects some services more than others.

Re: Network Card query
 

guess what still hasn't been resolved :( (not that they aren't trying)

Re: Network Card query
 

Can't believe this is still dragging on :( This outage must affect a lot of people I would have thought - anyone hear anything?

Re: Network Card query
 

have you tried signing into myvirginmedia, click on service status and see if there is a fault reference? You can ring up and ask them what the status is.

Re: Network Card query
 

Ha - just did that and said Broadband - good service (with green tick)

so left message stating that with senior technician + awaiting callback.

should this be dragging on this long?

Re: Network Card query
 

yeah when it is a network fault it can take them ages to actually schedule the work and get people round to a) work out what is wrong and b) fix it. Stuff like this can go on for months if not a year.

Re: Network Card query
 

thanks for cheering me up ;)

Re: Network Card query
 

had a call back from the senior engineer saying the problem was resolved last friday 0 HA!

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2014/08/6.png

not a happy camper right now (I left voicemail with my results)

Re: Network Card query
 

After being completely cheesed off I thought maybe ringing retentions might just be a good idea HOWEVER there doesn't appear to be a way of getting through to them anymore :(

Re: Network Card query
 

lol, that doesn't surprise me. A few years ago you used to be able to get through to 2nd line tech support by using VM's newsgroups but everyone got wind of how good they were at getting problems resolved and they very quickly became inundated with posts and VM terminated the service. I think the same thing had happened here, everyone has realised that going straight through to retentions to gets problems fixed is so much better than having a convoluted conversation with India and VM have probably removed the option for direct dial and now India are going to have a stab at it and only put you through to retentions as a last ditch effort. What VM have failed to realise is that this is only going to pee customers off even more and by the time they do get put through to retentions there will be nothing they can do and the customer will just want to leave.

Re: Network Card query
 

I got a surprise visit last night from the senior technician. He said he tested in the road 3 or 4 times and kept getting about 125mb then asked to check in my house + got the same so not too much I could say though I did agree to upgrade my network card to 1gbps as this looked a bit iffy on latency (whatever that is).

The problem which I don't seem to get through to people is he might get a good test now but if he tested it in another half an hour would get very different results.

***********************

when I got up this morning I did a speedtest in my bedroom on my phone and had a network issue so I went down to my study where the superhub2 is and had a download of 7MB - on wifi this is normally about 42MB. 5 minutes later was back again. You can't tell me there isn't an unresolved issue somewhere.

Re: Network Card query
 

the problem is that if there is an intermittent fault and everything is working fine when they come round then they cant see what is wrong. They need it to be broken so they can run tests and see what the problem is and unfortunately there is no way you can plan for that to happen when scheduling tech visits.

Re: Network Card query
 

I know - just need others in the area to complain I guess :(

Re: Network Card query
 

For faults like these they could easily just set up remote monitoring.

Re: Network Card query
 

if they believed the problem existed