Constant Disconnection Issues

[txtman21]

Hello there everyone,

These forums have been of great use to me for a long while now - however I haven't posted much (if at all), I don't think.

I hope someone would be able to help me with this painful issue I'm currently having. About a week and a half ago, I started getting random disconnects, and I'd either have to renew my IP Address or reboot my firewall in order for the connection to start working again. I would always renew to the same IP, in fact it never lost the IP, the connection just stopped working, couldn't ping anything, or visit any web pages until I forced a release and renew.

I got on to VM about this, and they sent me out a new Ambit 256 Modem. I recieved it yesterday, and thought *phew*, my problems should hopefully FINALLY be solved. However, it's started with the random disconnects again. Incidently, this started occuring after I was re-routed through what appears to be a new CMTS, and my IP changed as a result. Before the change, it was working fine.

My modem levels are as follows:

ItemStatusCommentsAcquire a Downstream Channel298750000 HzLockedConnectivity StateOKOperationalBoot StateOKOperational

Downstream Lock :
LockedDownstream Channel Id : 17Downstream Frequency : 298750000 HzDownstream Modulation : QAM256Downstream Symbol Rate : 6952 Ksym/secDownstream Interleave Depth : taps12Increment17Downstream Receive Power Level : 6.1 dBmVDownstream SNR : 38.8 dB


Upstream Lock : LockedUpstream Channel ID : 3Upstream Frequency : 45800000 HzUpstream Modulation : QAM16Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/secUpstream transmit Power Level : 51.5 dBmVUpstream Mini-Slot Size : 2Network Access : AllowedMaximum Downstream Data Rate : 20480000Maximum Upstream Data Rate : 768000Maximum Upstream Channel Burst : 1600Maximum Number of CPEs : 1Modem Capability : Concatenation Enabled, Fragametation Enabled, PHS Enabled
I'd be very grateful if someone could shed some light on the problem I'm having, judging by some of the info I've read, my signal levels seem OK, and others indicate that they are wrong. I thought I'd ask for some first hand advice. As I say, my problems only started occuring after what seemed to be a local upgrade in preparation for the 50meg roll-out. I live in the Guiseley/Yeadon area of Leeds. LS20.

Cheers,

Keith. (txtman21)

[moaningmags]

"LockedDownstream Channel Id : 17Downstream Frequency : 298750000"
That looks off frequency to me unless you're ex-ntl.

[txtman21]

Hi there,

Thanks for your reply.

I am ex-NTL indeed.

[moaningmags]

Then the frequency might be ok.
Is your upstream power level steady at 51.5 or does it fluctuate?

[txtman21]

It seems to be pretty static tbh.

I have another NTL Business Connection, which isn't having any issues, and it's upstream power is 51.8, so virtually the same.

---------- Post added at 18:54 ---------- Previous post was at 18:52 ----------

When I say another, I mean I have an NTL Business connection separate to the residential connection, which is currently the one giving issues

---------- Post added at 19:17 ---------- Previous post was at 18:54 ----------

It's a 51 now

[moaningmags]

Does the modem connect directly to your computer or do you connect to a router?
If using a router, have you tried a direct connection?
What lights go off on the modem when you lose connection?

[Peter_]

All the power levels are fine for an EX-NTL connection so as Mags said are you running through a router as that could be te issue.

When you lose connection does the Sync and Ready lights go off if they stay on it is not the modem.

[txtman21]

I'm using IPCOP as my firewall, running on a dedicated PC. I was running PFSense, during the time that the problem started, it's still persisting on IPCOP with the new modem, and as I say it only started happening after what seemed to be the local preparation for the 50meg rollout.

I haven't tried a direct connection into my PC, as I'm 3 floors up, and it's right downstairs with my firewall, alas, I haven't seen the lights either.

I could try a direct connection, however the problem is so intermittent, it could take anything between 10 minutes and 8 hours to repeat the problem.

Aside from the direct connection into a PC, do you have any other suggestions? I can't honestly see that it would be causing problems on my firewall, unless it's NIC's were faulty, but I changed them over as well to ensure it wasn't that, and the problem still persists.

Thanks for you quick replies, please advise me what would be the best next step.

---------- Post added at 19:44 ---------- Previous post was at 19:42 ----------

As for the Sync and Ready light problem - I'll take a look next time it does it, usually when it does disconnect, I don't have to do anything with the modem, simply have to release and renew the IP on my firewall. I never have to restart the modem which I find odd, I thought it would point to a problem with my firewall, but I've checked it for issues, ran 2 different firewall distros on it, and checked for any errors on the interfaces etc. Of which there is none.

I could try a direct connection - but I can't help but wonder if it's VM that are causing the problems. It's so difficult to get a proper techy on the phone!

[Peter_]

If you do not have to reboot the modem and you are running through a router and you have to renew and release the IP it sounds like it is either the router or a firewall issue.

Well you have 2 techs in this thread.

[txtman21]

I'm a techy myself. Doesn't seem to help me though - hehe.

Thanks for your help guys. I'll see what I can do.

It might even be worth putting the same firewall back on the NTL Business connection, and see if it fails on there. If not, we can rule out the firewall as the issue, if so, then it's my bad, and I've missed something.

The caps were replaced on the board not long ago for the onboard NIC's, so there may still be some issues there.

Thanks.

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by txtman21

I'm a techy myself. Doesn't seem to help me though - hehe.

Thanks for your help guys. I'll see what I can do.

It might even be worth putting the same firewall back on the NTL Business connection, and see if it fails on there. If not, we can rule out the firewall as the issue, if so, then it's my bad, and I've missed something.

The caps were replaced on the board not long ago for the onboard NIC's, so there may still be some issues there.

Thanks.

If you need to call Tech Support then avoid Sunday and try on Monday after 0800.

You might get our Scottish Call Centre up to 10pm tonight though.

[txtman21]

That's fantastic. Thanks again for your help. I appreciate the time you've taken to reply to my messages.

---------- Post added at 19:58 ---------- Previous post was at 19:57 ----------

I'll also let you guys know where I get with it, and whether it was me being a n00b. Or VM.

[moaningmags]

Originally Posted by Moldova

If you need to call Tech Support then avoid Sunday and try on Monday after 0800.

You might get our Scottish Call Centre up to 10pm tonight though.

Oi leave me out of it

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by moaningmags

Oi leave me out of it

Typical if I failed to mention you lot working till 10pm you would have moaned, so I mention it and still you moan.

Whats your username again.

[moaningmags]

Lol, I'm working till 10 no need to give me more work