New UCD in effect - anything to worry about? - Page 2

Jon22 · 06-09-2011, 14:15

Right guys, now this is going to sound stupid, but I've been having a look at the connections. Everything seems fine in the brown wall box, so I went to have a look under the metal cover in the pavement and there appears to be an ants nest in there. I know its clutching at straws but you don't think that that could have anything to do with it? Damaged the cable? Yes I know it sounds stupid lol.

Sephiroth · 06-09-2011, 14:25

I think you'd need to shine a torch into the drop point and see if water's lying there or if the ants have indeed chewed through/into the cable. Aren't ants filled with formic acid or something?

In the first instance, though, you're looking for corrosion, IMO.

Also kill them with that ant spray you get in Sainsbury's. They can't be doing any good!

Jon22 · 06-09-2011, 15:01

I've cleared the ants out along with quite a bit of mud. The bit of cable that I could see looked fine. Didn't appear to be any lying water in there. The problem must be on VM's end now unless the modem has gone dodgy. Upstream is still sitting at a solid 61 dBmV.

Jon22 · 08-09-2011, 13:46

Just had a quick look at the service status page and it is actually showing a fault reference number for disrupted broadband service. Perhaps their aware of a problem, assuming that is what the number is relating to.

Infact it may very well be as the upstream power has come down a smidge to 59.5 dBmV, still high but atleast its going the right way.

Jon22 · 08-09-2011, 17:25

Looks as though they have been doing some work as I've gone from one extreme to another now.

Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 2
Upstream Frequency : 22200000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 27.5 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size :2

Is it likely that the upstream power levels will rise by themselves once any work has finished or am I going to need an engineer out?

Sephiroth · 09-09-2011, 00:20

Who knows? This sort of problem is usually on VM's property, like a street cabinet or optical node. An engineer to your home can accomplosh little with the upstream.

Of course we don't see wjhat you see, like the event log and downstream stats.

Jon22 · 09-09-2011, 01:02

Cable Modem Downstream
Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 6
Downstream Frequency : 330750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Symbol Rate : 5360.537 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps32Increment4
Downstream Receive Power Level : 1.3 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 37.1 dB

Been consistent through out.

Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 2
Upstream Frequency : 22200000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 28.0 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

Cable Modem Event Log
First Time Last Time Priority Description
Thu Sep 08 15:12:28 2011 Thu Sep 08 15:12:28 2011 Information (7) New UCD in effect
Thu Sep 08 15:12:28 2011 Thu Sep 08 15:12:28 2011 Information (7) Starting on-the-fly UCD change.
Thu Sep 08 15:10:47 2011 Thu Sep 08 15:10:47 2011 Information (7) New UCD in effect
Thu Sep 08 15:10:47 2011 Thu Sep 08 15:10:47 2011 Information (7) Starting on-the-fly UCD change.
Thu Sep 08 15:07:57 2011 Thu Sep 08 15:07:57 2011 Information (7) New UCD in effect
Thu Sep 08 15:07:57 2011 Thu Sep 08 15:07:57 2011 Information (7) Starting on-the-fly UCD change.
Thu Sep 08 14:59:52 2011 Thu Sep 08 14:59:52 2011 Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Thu Sep 08 14:59:51 2011 Thu Sep 08 14:59:51 2011 Information (7) New UCD in effect
Thu Sep 08 14:59:51 2011 Thu Sep 08 14:59:51 2011 Information (7) Starting on-the-fly UCD change.
Thu Sep 08 14:59:51 2011 Thu Sep 08 14:59:51 2011 Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Thu Sep 08 12:00:05 2011 Thu Sep 08 12:00:05 2011 Information (7) New UCD in effect
Thu Sep 08 12:00:05 2011 Thu Sep 08 12:00:05 2011 Information (7) Starting on-the-fly UCD change.
Thu Sep 08 11:56:25 2011 Thu Sep 08 11:56:25 2011 Information (7) New UCD in effect
Thu Sep 08 11:56:25 2011 Thu Sep 08 11:56:25 2011 Information (7) Starting on-the-fly UCD change.
Thu Sep 08 10:04:28 2011 Thu Sep 08 10:04:28 2011 Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Wed Sep 07 10:11:36 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:36 2011 Information (7) CableModem software upgrade failed
Wed Sep 07 10:11:36 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:36 2011 Error (4) SW upgrade Failed after download - Incompatible SW file
Wed Sep 07 10:11:36 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:36 2011 Information (7) SW dload: Invalid image signature!
Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Notice (6) SW Download INIT - Via Config file kfoA,.iyewrkldJKDHSU
Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Information (7) CableModem software download started
Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Information (7) Software upgrade has started.
Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Information (7) A software upgrade filename was specified in the config file.
Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Information (7) Authorized
Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Information (7) Registration complete!
Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Information (7) We registered with a DOCSIS 1.1 config file!
Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Information (7) Received a REG-RSP message from the CMTS...
Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Information (7) Sending a REG-REQ to the CMTS...
Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:33 2011 Information (7) CableModem SNMP configure complete
Wed Sep 07 10:11:32 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:32 2011 Information (7) IP init completed ok
Wed Sep 07 10:11:32 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:32 2011 Information (7) CableModem TFTP init ok
Wed Sep 07 10:11:23 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:23 2011 Information (7) CableModem DHCP client init ok
Wed Sep 07 10:11:23 2011 Wed Sep 07 10:11:23 2011 Critical (3) DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.

Thinkbroadband ping monitor. Shows quite a bit of packet loss earlier on.

Still waiting for a reply on the VM forum to see what they say.

Sephiroth · 09-09-2011, 01:39

Thanks for that. The downstream doesn't show any irregularity in the stats, as of course you knew.

The upstream displays the same problems as before - the effects of line noise (which you can see by the dropped packets.

Why has the modem flipped to low power? First, to explain that low power on the intended data stream gives noise (from any source) a good chance. We are seeing this.

When you had high power, it was commanded by the CMTS because it need the power to drive initial ranging data. The CMTS then decides on the power level it needs to overcome attenuation (anywheere in the works).

The CMTS is not going to command such low power because for a start, the CMTS expects to see a signal arriving at around no lower than the 20 dBmv mark (thereabouts, lower for QPSK - someone will correct me if necessary). There's more than 8 dB attenuation between your gaff and the CMTS.

So either the modem isn't seeing power raise commands from the CMTS at initial ranging, or it can't deliver the power because it's defective (and maybe made so by sitting for so long at the 60 dBmv earlier).

So I take back what I said earlier and your next move might be to get the modem swapped out.

thenry · 09-09-2011, 01:49

get upgraded to 30Mb for the issues your having to endure.

Jon22 · 09-09-2011, 14:08

Thanks for the explanation Seph, just have to wait and see what the techs say on the VM forum.

Taf · 09-09-2011, 15:14

I had a long-standing upload speed problem on the 30mbps service. Typically I got 0.2mbps on all 4 machines wired to the SH (instead of the promised 3mbps).

An attenuator on the input seemed to help, but it soon dropped back.

A replacement SH arrived and it brought 3 of the 4 machines to full 3mbps upload speed.

BUT the fourth machine, almost the exact spec as the other 3, and on about the same cable length in the home, refuses to get above 0.2mbps. Cable changes, changing ports on the SH have no effect at all, so I think it must be a Vista problem or a screwy network card.

I googled for answers and found that Vista UL speed problems are rife, but none of the procedures to fix this have helped (including several TCP/IP "optimistaion" programs.

Jon22 · 09-09-2011, 16:35

Just a little update, upstream levels have now gone back to normal and I'm also now on QAM16.

Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 2
Upstream Frequency : 22200000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QAM16
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 45.0 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

Cable Modem Event Log
First Time Last Time Priority Description
Fri Sep 09 13:59:36 2011 Fri Sep 09 13:59:36 2011 Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Fri Sep 09 13:58:37 2011 Fri Sep 09 13:58:37 2011 Information (7) New UCD in effect
Fri Sep 09 13:58:37 2011 Fri Sep 09 13:58:37 2011 Information (7) Starting on-the-fly UCD change.
Fri Sep 09 13:57:37 2011 Fri Sep 09 13:57:37 2011 Information (7) New UCD in effect
Fri Sep 09 13:57:37 2011 Fri Sep 09 13:57:37 2011 Information (7) Starting on-the-fly UCD change.
Fri Sep 09 13:57:07 2011 Fri Sep 09 13:57:07 2011 Information (7) New UCD in effect
Fri Sep 09 13:57:07 2011 Fri Sep 09 13:57:07 2011 Information (7) Starting on-the-fly UCD change.
Fri Sep 09 12:44:58 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:58 2011 Information (7) CableModem software upgrade failed
Fri Sep 09 12:44:58 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:58 2011 Error (4) SW upgrade Failed after download - Incompatible SW file
Fri Sep 09 12:44:58 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:58 2011 Information (7) SW dload: Invalid image signature!
Fri Sep 09 12:44:55 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:55 2011 Notice (6) SW Download INIT - Via Config file 87dsfd;kfoA,.iyewrkl
Fri Sep 09 12:44:55 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:55 2011 Information (7) CableModem software download started
Fri Sep 09 12:44:55 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:55 2011 Information (7) Software upgrade has started.
Fri Sep 09 12:44:55 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:55 2011 Information (7) A software upgrade filename was specified in the config file.
Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Information (7) Authorized
Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Information (7) Registration complete!
Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Information (7) We registered with a DOCSIS 1.1 config file!
Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Information (7) Received a REG-RSP message from the CMTS...
Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Information (7) Sending a REG-REQ to the CMTS...
Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Information (7) CableModem SNMP configure complete
Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Information (7) IP init completed ok
Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Fri Sep 09 12:44:54 2011 Information (7) CableModem TFTP init ok
Time Not Established Time Not Established Information (7) CableModem DHCP client init ok
Time Not Established Time Not Established Critical (3) DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Time Not Established Time Not Established Information (7) MAP w/initial maintenance region received
Time Not Established Time Not Established Critical (3) No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Time Not Established Time Not Established Information (7) MAP w/initial maintenance region received
Time Not Established Time Not Established Information (7) Downstream sync ok
Time Not Established Time Not Established Information (7) Beginning initial ranging...
Time Not Established Time Not Established Information (7) downstream time sync acquired...
Time Not Established Time Not Established Information (7) Downstream sync ok
Time Not Established Time Not Established Information (7) starting ds time sync acquisition...

Weird...

Jon22 · 13-09-2011, 16:47

Well after a few days of stability, it looks as though I'm back to losing sync every now again and back on QPSK.

Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 1
Upstream Frequency : 18800000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 47.5 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

Cable Modem Event Log
First Time Last Time Priority Description
Tue Sep 13 13:17:21 2011 Tue Sep 13 13:17:21 2011 Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Tue Sep 13 11:40:29 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:29 2011 Information (7) CableModem software upgrade failed
Tue Sep 13 11:40:29 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:29 2011 Error (4) SW upgrade Failed after download - Incompatible SW file
Tue Sep 13 11:40:29 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:29 2011 Information (7) SW dload: Invalid image signature!
Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Notice (6) SW Download INIT - Via Config file dsfd;kfoA,.iyewrkldJ
Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Information (7) CableModem software download started
Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Information (7) Software upgrade has started.
Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Information (7) A software upgrade filename was specified in the config file.
Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Information (7) Authorized
Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Information (7) Registration complete!
Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Information (7) We registered with a DOCSIS 1.1 config file!
Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Information (7) Received a REG-RSP message from the CMTS...
Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Information (7) Sending a REG-REQ to the CMTS...
Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:25 2011 Information (7) CableModem SNMP configure complete
Tue Sep 13 11:40:24 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:24 2011 Information (7) IP init completed ok
Tue Sep 13 11:40:24 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:40:24 2011 Information (7) CableModem TFTP init ok
Tue Sep 13 11:39:45 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:45 2011 Information (7) CableModem DHCP client init ok
Tue Sep 13 11:39:45 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:45 2011 Critical (3) DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Tue Sep 13 11:39:37 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:37 2011 Information (7) MAP w/initial maintenance region received
Tue Sep 13 11:39:30 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:30 2011 Critical (3) No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Tue Sep 13 11:39:30 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:30 2011 Information (7) MAP w/initial maintenance region received
Tue Sep 13 11:39:29 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:29 2011 Critical (3) No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Tue Sep 13 11:39:29 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:29 2011 Information (7) MAP w/initial maintenance region received
Tue Sep 13 11:39:28 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:28 2011 Information (7) Downstream sync ok
Tue Sep 13 11:39:28 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:28 2011 Information (7) Beginning initial ranging...
Tue Sep 13 11:39:28 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:28 2011 Information (7) downstream time sync acquired...
Tue Sep 13 11:39:28 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:28 2011 Information (7) Downstream sync ok
Tue Sep 13 11:39:27 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:27 2011 Information (7) starting ds time sync acquisition...
Tue Sep 13 11:39:25 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:25 2011 Information (7) MAP w/initial maintenance region received
Tue Sep 13 11:39:14 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:14 2011 Critical (3) No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Tue Sep 13 11:39:14 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:14 2011 Information (7) MAP w/initial maintenance region received
Tue Sep 13 11:39:03 2011 Tue Sep 13 11:39:03 2011 Critical (3) No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out

Jon22 · 19-09-2011, 15:16

Had a reply from VM tech support and they want to send an engineer round due to:

"I have taken a look at your connection and can see your modem is reporting an extremely high number of power adjustments. I have also checked a number of other customers modems who are connected to the same upstream as you and they do not display the same symptoms, this would indicate a local issue."

I just hope the engineer doesn't replace the modem with one of the non-superhubs (VMDG280).

Although I've got to wait until next Monday for the engineer to come.

Mick Fisher · 19-09-2011, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon22

Had a reply from VM tech support and they want to send an engineer round due to:

"I have taken a look at your connection and can see your modem is reporting an extremely high number of power adjustments. I have also checked a number of other customers modems who are connected to the same upstream as you and they do not display the same symptoms, this would indicate a local issue."

I just hope the engineer doesn't replace the modem with one of the non-superhubs (VMDG280).

Although I've got to wait until next Monday for the engineer to come.

I would think he is bound to.

If it's any consolation I was surprised to find the VMDG280 to rock solid. Note my wireless devices are only in an adjacent room about 10 ft and a single brick construction wall away. It was not until I started to use a superhub that all the problems occurred.