Download speed drops significantly
 

Hi,

For the last 4 weeks my download speed drops significantly, from 10mb to 1.2mb starting from 16:00 each day. Upload speed averages 0.45mb (which seems normal).

Here are my modem stats;

Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 6
Downstream Frequency : 586750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM64
Downstream Symbol Rate : 6952 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps12Increment17
Downstream Receive Power Level : 10.6 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 40.9 dB

One more thing, event log records modem failing to connect at random times + software updates;

Sat Oct 18 22:24:23 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:24:23 2008 Information (7) CableModem software upgrade failed
Sat Oct 18 22:24:23 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:24:23 2008 Error (4) SW Upgrade Failed Before Download - Server not Present
Sat Oct 18 22:22:44 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:44 2008 Notice (6) SW Download INIT - Via Config file cmreg-ntlhm250-mid.cm
Sat Oct 18 22:22:44 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:44 2008 Information (7) CableModem software download started
Sat Oct 18 22:22:44 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:44 2008 Information (7) Software upgrade has started.
Sat Oct 18 22:22:43 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:43 2008 Information (7) A software upgrade filename was specified in the config file.
Sat Oct 18 22:22:43 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:43 2008 Information (7) Authorized
Sat Oct 18 22:22:43 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:43 2008 Information (7) Registration complete!
Sat Oct 18 22:22:43 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:43 2008 Information (7) We registered with a DOCSIS 1.0 config file!
Sat Oct 18 22:22:43 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:43 2008 Information (7) Received a REG-RSP message from the CMTS...
Sat Oct 18 22:22:42 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:42 2008 Information (7) Sending a REG-REQ to the CMTS...
Sat Oct 18 22:22:42 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:42 2008 Information (7) CableModem SNMP configure complete
Sat Oct 18 22:22:40 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:40 2008 Information (7) IP init completed ok
Sat Oct 18 22:22:40 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:40 2008 Information (7) CableModem TFTP init ok
Sat Oct 18 22:22:37 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:37 2008 Error (4) ToD request sent- No Response received
Sat Oct 18 22:22:37 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:37 2008 Information (7) CableModem DHCP client init ok
Sat Oct 18 22:22:37 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:37 2008 Critical (3) DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Sat Oct 18 22:22:29 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:29 2008 Information (7) MAP w/initial maintenance region received
Sat Oct 18 22:22:28 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:28 2008 Critical (3) No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Sat Oct 18 22:22:28 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:28 2008 Information (7) MAP w/initial maintenance region received
Sat Oct 18 22:22:26 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:26 2008 Information (7) Downstream sync ok
Sat Oct 18 22:22:26 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:26 2008 Information (7) Beginning initial ranging...
Sat Oct 18 22:22:26 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:26 2008 Information (7) downstream time sync acquired...
Sat Oct 18 22:22:26 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:26 2008 Information (7) Downstream sync ok
Sat Oct 18 22:22:26 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:26 2008 Information (7) starting ds time sync acquisition...
Sat Oct 18 22:22:22 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:22 2008 Information (7) Locked on the downstream. Waiting for UCDs...
Sat Oct 18 22:22:22 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:22:22 2008 Information (7) Downstream lock ok
Sat Oct 18 22:20:27 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:20:27 2008 Critical (3) Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Un...
Sat Oct 18 22:20:27 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:20:27 2008 Information (7) Reset downstream scanning state!
Sat Oct 18 22:17:14 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:17:14 2008 Critical (3) TFTP failed - configuration file NOT FOUND
Sat Oct 18 22:17:08 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:17:08 2008 Error (4) ToD request sent- No Response received
Sat Oct 18 22:17:08 2008 Sat Oct 18 22:17:08 2008 Information (7) CableModem DHCP client init ok

The above messages repeating for 30mins,

Any assistance much appreciated.

Nas

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

Your receive power is a little high but you say you get 10Mbps other times so it sounds like over-subscription, and when all the kids get home from school the UBR becomes congested and your speed drops.

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

Downstream way to high, what is the Upstream reading and what model is the modem, check the sticker on the base.

You will need to call Tech Support to get that checked out.

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

Here's the upload stats;

Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 4
Upstream Frequency : 46200000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 37.5 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

Modem details;

Model No. E08C013.00

Branded as Virgin Media, colour: black

Hehe i called them last week, total waste of time. Tried to explain my downstream level was high and the errors on event log, totally didn't understand. Asked to escalate issue but line disconnected :-(

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

Ambit 255 or 256 then. Your upstream power is fine. ;)

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

oh lol 256.

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

Interesting comment about downstream power. My stats are show below, yet business faults say this is perfectly OK since I have a good downstream SNR. During the day I get a solid reliable 10 Mb/s downstream. In the evenings from about 4pm this starts to crawl at around 1-2 Mb/s.

The business network is the same as residential with some different modem configs so I'd have thought the same power issues woudl apply but several engineers in business faults have said this is fine.... (I am in an ex-Telewest area)

Downstream Status Operational
Channel ID 7
Downstream Frequency 339000000 Hz
Modulation 256QAM
Bit Rate 10240000 bits/sec
Power Level 21.5 dBmV
Signal to Noise Ratio 42.5 dB


Upstream Status Operational
Channel ID 2
Upstream Frequency 22200000 Hz
Modulation QPSK
Bit Rate 769000 bits/sec
Power Level 40.5 dBmV

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

I raised the issue to tech support via newsgroups, here's what they have to say;

The fault in your area is for TXLoad, which is basically a downstream
uitilisation issue on your uBR. This is a transient fault and will only
affect your throughput at peak times. Your power levels are fine, maybe a
slight high on the downstream but since I see no packet loss or latency to
your modem it should be of no real concern.

So fingers crossed .

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

Your downstream power is waaaaaaay out :erm:. You should get that looked at by a tech. Though if your speeds drop in the evenings, it has to be oversubscription.

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

Do you have a business modem or a normal standard issue modem, as they may have different operational parameters, you could ask Kymmy as she has business broadband.

The business arm has its own call centre so I have never dealt with a business call.

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

I have a Scientific Atlanta EPC2100R2

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

Well if you rang in to a non- business call centre I know that myself or any of my colleagues would be sending out a engineer to sort out that high Downstream on that modem, so not quite sure why the business arm would not!!

If you are really having problems ring back and complain ensuring you get to speak to a manager, or ask to come back to the dark side.

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

The thing is that during the day speeds are perfect, and I get no drop outs either - rock sold stable. It's just after about 4pm speeds take a nosedive.

Aparently I'm on New Malden UBR9, which soemtimes when I call in they tell me is sufferign a highTX load and other times they say is less than 50% utilised. Of course this will vary depending on whats happening.

However based on what I have read I am surprised that business faults felt this power level was fine.

Re: Download speed drops significantly
 

I would definitely book a tech if I took your call on the non - business side.