Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

Wow, much cleaner than mine, on vivid 300.

https://www.thinkbroadband.com/broad...c4b-24-05-2017

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

I have 16 downstreams - which I think is where the Puma 6 based devices start to show some latency issues on the reports such as BQM, but that beyond 16 it gets worse.

Now I do know a firmware update was recently rolled out to the Hitrons - so maybe that included Intel's fix

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

Further to my previous report on our new VM Business Service (350 Mb/s) the service has got no better. (This is with the 5 fixed IP option).

To repeat we have seen extremely variables speeds and slow initial connections. If we run speedtest against VM speedtest servers we do occasionally get results in the 200-300 speeds (particularly early in the morning) but only a few minutes later the speeds are down to 20-30 Mb/s for long periods. Uploads give the max speed possible all the time (20 Mb/s). Overall the service is much worst than the old 50 Mb/s service which was much more consistent.

Before tackling the challenge of customer services, I have tried a thinkbroadband ping test, the results of which are here:

https://www.thinkbroadband.com/broad...b00-01-06-2017


This is with multiple users using the connection throughout the day. It does not really show anything untoward and no significant packet loss.

Unless anyone has any suggestions I guess it is time to call VM.

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

This definitely sounds a case to call them and have them investigate for you. Possible local congestion, but should be handled under the business SLA

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

Having almost the same issue with my Hitron 300Mb VMB service (30-50Mb average tests this evening). Just got it re-enabled tonight, so have only done evening testing so far.

Speedtest.net (the Flash version) also locates me around Bristol, as the endpoint of the GRE tunnel. Btw, I'm in Glasgow and have no problems maxing my residential connection.

So I also think it's a congested peering issue. Haven't seen anywhere close to a 300Mb speed test yet on any of the popular sites or servers and have tried quite a few on speedtest.net.

I suggest you try this CDN test: http://cloudharmony.com/speedtest-for-cdn

What I noticed is that all but one of the CDN's report consistently low speeds for the 10MB/2 Threads column. While I don't expect CDN's to give very high speeds, my residential 50Mb connection performs much better and more consistently maxing out on that same column.

However, the one that gives 200Mb-300Mb consistently is Cachefly, so that may be routed differently. I also did some downloads that used a cachefly server and they were the same speed.

Let me know if you get anywhere with your investigation.

Have you tried getting VMB to switch you to dynamic IP? I know maybe not the ideal solution..

---------- Post added at 02:08 ---------- Previous post was at 01:52 ----------


From my tests it's obvious the latest firmware does include Intel's fix.

20 downstream channels:

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2017/06/4.png

Spikes on the BQM above are me doing speed tests and download tests. Very nice low level latency without spikes otherwise and most importantly for me, no bufferbloat!

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2017/06/7.jpg

---------- Post added at 03:30 ---------- Previous post was at 02:08 ----------

I find it highly unlikely that there is any kind of "high priority" on the VM business service, in spite of sales guys patter.

You do end up on a different port and line card at the CMTS than you would on residential, which in some areas is probably less utilised than the residential line cards. But if you're in an area, node and line card that is already under-utilised you're not going to see a difference.

As for the rest of the network and peering, it's clear from many customers reports that speeds are still variable for many. Including mine on VMB (residential is fine).

Between your hub and the CMTS you're still sharing the same channels on a node that residential do. So still essentially limited in bandwidth as residential are. The downstream speeds could be 'tweaked' by the CMTS scheduler, but only to a point.

They could give you slightly better upstream priority using service flows rather than UGS, but that won't help if your area is over-utilised or at times when peak-load is reached: https://volpefirm.com/docsis_qos/

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

Is that firmware being released or has it released yet?.

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

It has been released. I have version 4.5.10.161-SIP-UPC

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

Since that is the business hubs will the Hub3 get the firmware at all since it seems to be working on one of them?.

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

The business service is provided on a Hitron device which is a different manufacturer to that Hub 3 used for residential, so the firmware will be different.

I read that VM have a version they are testing for the Hub 3 that has the intel fix included, but not sure how close to roll out it is.

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

Regarding the problems with the multiple fixed IPs and the Hitron, after doing a succession of tests over a couple of days to show the poor performance so we had the data in hand, we phoned VM business support.

We got put through to 2nd level support fairly quickly who almost immediately said the issue we are seeing is almost certainly down to a software issue within their network that causes packet fragmentation (and possibly loss) for data passing through the GRE tunnel. They have plans to fix this in the next few weeks (by "mid-July"). He said the issue results in timed out web pages from some common sites, slow results from speedtest sites, etc etc.

He did also check for local congestion in our network and they will do a line test but all looked OK during the initial checks.

I guess they only have seen this since going live with the service, but unless they fix it soon I think I will be asking for a refund, if only to focus their minds on getting the fix rolled out.

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

Where? As far as I know, they don't have anything yet.

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

Actually great question do you have to use the other modem that comes with the business internet or can you keep your hub3 if you have one?

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

No you need a Hitron

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

That's a minor inconvenience but still might be worth it.

Re: New VM Business service - 350Mb
 

Some info here

It doesn't quote a date but suggests new firmware is in test