Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

Since about 4-5 days ago I've noticed that Usenet downloads have become incredibly slow ... eg. down from about 8megabytes per second to half a megabyte per second. This is even 'off peak' when the network is quiet.

Back in the dim and distant past, VM used to throttle p2p and Usenet pretty heavily at certain time periods but then seemed to stop it. Have they started up the practice again with a more aggressive policy?

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

I've noticed this too, using the same torrent I can max out our work leased line (100/100) whereas on my home virgin connection it's maxing out at around 80Mbps...

Chances of getting VM to acknowledge this? slim to none.

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

It's never been stopped as far as I'm aware both P2P and Newsgroups are still managed at a network level.

See section 2 in the drop down table on this page https://my.virginmedia.com/traffic-m...or-higher.html

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

Indeed Ben, but it did appear to disappear for a while, for a few years now I've not noticed any P2P traffic management, then in the past week or so I'ts been very noticeable...

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

Probably invested in some new kit that defeats the old method of hiding it.

Pointless as it will just be defeated again.

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

Is this single threaded or mullti threaded?

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

I'm downloading on Torrent and speeds are near my package maximum.

Is this package dependent....i.e. the gamer tier which is not supposed to have STM?

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

No. P2P and Newsgroup management is at a network level, not a customer level.

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

How would they know about it if using a VPN?

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

I'm on the gamer package and had issues, however I've just seen 25MB/s on a torrent there, so seems to be ok right now

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

That could be because it's only in effect between 6.00pm - 11.00pm.:)

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

Noticed some threads about this on vm forums and seems to be pointing to a peering issue with a certain usenet network/peering links, but don't use it anymore to prove one way or the other

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

Yep, good point :D

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

so is the gamer tier subject to this new STM limits?

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

It's not new, it's been around since before the Gaming tier and as they're at the network level, then all broadband services are subject to the P2P and Newsgroup policy.

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

I get the usenet and p2p restrictions but what I mean is the upload still STM free on the gamer tier?

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

Yes

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

I've been having the same problem. Full speed on everything except for Usenet. I'm with SuperNews. Been very slow during the day or 2am when I get home from work.

I phoned up on Tuesday to complain and they said I mended an engineer out. Last night, Usenet was working at full speed. Before the engineer came this morning, it was working at full speed. An hour after he left and guess what... It's back to being slow!
Just spoke to someone at VM again and he said there's nothing wrong with the line and as I'm on the gamer package, there's no traffic management.
Not quite sure what to make of this but thought I'd share.

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

Again as I said, it seems to be an issue with any providers using the Giganews backbone... so possibly a peering issue.

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

They're playing around with priority on NNTP again during mornings and afternoons. IIRC they were doing it during the Easter hols. Just done a test here with/without VPN and it's quite obvious what's going on.

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

I always seem to get near max on torrents however don't really use them during peak hours as I don't get home till midnight during the week and don't download over a weekend, I was always aware of the shaping but have not heard anything in years regarding the shaping.

Re: Are Virgin aggressively throttling file sharing traffic again?
 

Actually looking a bit further into this it look like a routing problem.

VM, iirc normally use Giganews dedicated open peer at the LINX which is actually advertised as best route. They are currently using some dodgy link over IX Reach to Amsterdam and it looks like there's a fair old bit of packet loss on there.