Know your ISP.

User #238231   4 posts
Participant

Hi, I have just upgraded my AAPT connection to ADSL2+ (upgraded from 512k) . My router/modem is the Netcomm NB9W running the latest firmware (NB9W-C211-S306NCM-C04_R02). I am running XP SP3 and use IE7 and have McAfee security centre installed/running. I usually use the wireless connection.

I do not think I am getting the download speeds I should expect given I haven't noticed a significant change in speeds from my previous 512k connection.

I spoke to AAPT and they say the line speeds are fine. I spoke to Netcomm and they suggested setting the DSL option on the modem to ADSL2+ only which I've done. No change to speed – I've used several of the standard speed tests and am averaging about 320 KBytes/s for downloads. This is similar for wireless/cabled. The NB9W is plugged directly to phone socket and cable is only approx 2m. The exchange is literally across the road from me.

I've looked at the NB9Ws stats and the Rate (Kbps) says 18140 for downloads that appears to agree with the numbers AAPT gave me. So why are download rates so poor? I'm far from expert and don't know what else to change to improve download rates. Not sure what other info to provide – here's the stats from my NB9W. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks, Jonny

Mode: ADSL2+
Line Coding: Trellis On
Status: No Defect
Link Power State: L0

Downstream Upstream
SNR Margin (dB): 5.8 6.5
Attenuation (dB): 14.5 6.0
Output Power (dBm): 7.0 8.8
Attainable Rate (Kbps): 20960 1032
Rate (Kbps): 18140 999
MSGc (number of bytes in overhead channel message): 66 66
B (number of bytes in Mux Data Frame): 254 31
M (number of Mux Data Frames in FEC Data Frame): 1 1
T (Mux Data Frames over sync bytes): 2 1
R (number of check bytes in FEC Data Frame): 0 0
S (ratio of FEC over PMD Data Frame length): 0.4489 0.9922
L (number of bits in PMD Data Frame): 4544 258
D (interleaver depth): 1 1
Delay (msec): 0 0

Super Frames: 355537 355535
Super Frame Errors: 9 12
RS Words: 0 0
RS Correctable Errors: 0 0
RS Uncorrectable Errors: 0 N/A

HEC Errors: 9 5
OCD Errors: 1 0
LCD Errors: 0 0
Total Cells: 245824372 13547829
Data Cells: 326762 31141
Bit Errors: 0 0

Total ES: 17 12
Total SES: 4 0
Total UAS: 56 39

posted 2008-Jul-18, 11pm AEST
User #69666   791 posts
Whirlpool Enthusiast

What you need to do is run a test such as downloading from www2.aapt.com.au/speedtest.bin – maybe run multiple downloads and check the performance.

posted 2008-Jul-19, 10am AEST
User #238231   4 posts
Participant

Thanks Scottatron. This is one of the tests I've already run. With the AAPT test I got a speed of 400KBytes/s (the best result of all the speed tests). I've also done isolation tests as suggested in other posts on similar issues and the results haven't been any different.

I'm also familiar with the multi-part download apps. For the AAPT download test what would be a 'good' result (speed) for a single threaded download (given the setup parameters/environment described in my original post)? What do other folks get? (maybe I'm under false illusions as to what to expect)

I've also run DrTCP and that suggested changing my MTU to 1500 and RWIN to >=187680 & <= 500480. I did the MTU change but not the RWIN change as yet. The MTU change doesn't appear to have made any difference – I changed it on my laptop but couldn't find this setting on the NB9W settings (does the PC/router MTU settings need to be aligned?)

posted 2008-Jul-19, 11am AEST
User #153624   440 posts
Forum Regular

I have the same issue as you, I only get about 300kps though wifi on most speed tests (the www2.aapt.com.au/speedtest.bin and also http://www.ozspeedtest.com/bandwidth).
(Sorry if I am making an assumption that you are using WIFI here)

But when I use my other computer connected using ethernet I get correct speed of almost 800kbps (The almost what my modem says it is sycn'd at).

I am just puttting it down to being a issue with WIFI in general.

P.S. I am a happy EscapeNet user, not AAPT.

posted 2008-Jul-19, 1pm AEST
edited 2008-Jul-19, 1pm AEST
User #69666   791 posts
Whirlpool Enthusiast

400 does seem a little slow, considering you have synced up at around 18meg.

posted 2008-Jul-20, 8am AEST
User #179594   1008 posts
In the penalty box

Scottatron writes...

400 does seem a little slow, considering you have synced up at around 18meg.

Agreed, but if he's syncing up that quickly, then the problem isn't in AAPT's network...

posted 2008-Jul-21, 10am AEST
User #69666   791 posts
Whirlpool Enthusiast

Is there any way you can bypass the wireless and use an ethernet connection to the router?

posted 2008-Jul-21, 10am AEST
User #238231   4 posts
Participant

I could bypass the wireless but that kind of defeats the purpose of the wireless – otherwise I'm gonna have ethernet cable strung across the living room. I could do the 'mains' ethernet adapter thing but that's a pricey option. Besides, when I went cabled ethernet to see how it stacked up against wireless the results weren't very different.

When I did the DrTCP thing, the tweak test said to change my MTU to 1500. I did this (on the Intel PROset/wirless adapter) and it said the changes were saved and I ran the tweak test again and it still said change the MTU to 1500? I presume I wouldn't need to change the MTU setting for the cabled internet adapter given I'm not using it?

I may just have to accept my download speeds aren't going to improve. I agree the AAPT connection is fine.

posted 2008-Jul-21, 7pm AEST
User #96939   5031 posts
Whirlpool Forums Addict

Jonny® writes...

I may just have to accept my download speeds aren't going to improve. I agree the AAPT connection is fine.

I wouldn't give up hope just yet. Try another modem from a friend, make sure its ADSL2+ capable and test the downloads again.

Have you tried running multiple AAPT speedtests at the same time? Give it a go, you may find you can have 2 or 3 speedtests running at 400KB/s which would mean your getting good speeds and the limitations are coming from the sources you are connected to.

posted 2008-Jul-21, 7pm AEST
User #238231   4 posts
Participant

Just ran the AAPT download test in parallel x6 (over wireless) and averaged 250KBytes/s so total rate was approx 1.5MB/s that seems very reasonable. I should be satisfied with that. Thanks to you guys Scottatron, Mr E, 5tumpy & Lat!

posted 2008-Jul-22, 8pm AEST
User #179594   1008 posts
In the penalty box

Jonny® writes...

Just ran the AAPT download test in parallel x6 (over wireless) and averaged 250KBytes/s so total rate was approx 1.5MB/s that seems very reasonable.

Yep... There ya go! Still a little low for an 18mbps connection, but not low enough to worry... Looks like a limitation on the AAPT speedtest... Very interesting!

posted 2008-Jul-22, 8pm AEST
User #24379   566 posts
Whirlpool Enthusiast

Jonny® writes...

Just ran the AAPT download test in parallel x6 (over wireless) and averaged 250KBytes/s

I had this problem when I switched from 1.5mb to 8mb, I downloaded TCPOptimizer, selected 'Optimized settings' from memory and tweaked some others and I could then max out the download speed on one single download. Could be worth a try.

posted 2008-Jul-25, 2pm AEST
User #24379   566 posts
Whirlpool Enthusiast

5tumpy writes...

Agreed, but if he's syncing up that quickly, then the problem isn't in AAPT's network...

While the OP's problem isnt in the AAPT network what you sync up at has nothing to do with their network either.

posted 2008-Jul-25, 2pm AEST
User #179594   1008 posts
In the penalty box

Messiah writes...

While the OP's problem isnt in the AAPT network what you sync up at has nothing to do with their network either.

How do you figure? Granted, the lines are Telstra's problem, but technically speaking with AAPT renting the line, it is AAPT's problem...

posted 2008-Jul-25, 2pm AEST
User #24379   566 posts
Whirlpool Enthusiast

sure, but thats not really in their network is it

posted 2008-Jul-25, 3pm AEST
User #195483   106 posts
Forum Regular

5tumpy writes...

if he's syncing up that quickly, then the problem isn't in AAPT's network...

you are joking I hope ?

no matter what speed your modem connects at their can always be problems in aapts network that prevents you from seeing your full speed.

many, many problems, like how no one will peer with them makes things difficult....

posted 2008-Jul-25, 3pm AEST
User #179594   1008 posts
In the penalty box

SONNiC writes...

no matter what speed your modem connects at their can always be problems in aapts network that prevents you from seeing your full speed.

Yeah, there can be... But 90% of the time, if you're syncing at that high a speed, there's no problem with the line...

many, many problems, like how no one will peer with them makes things difficult....

Exactly my point...

posted 2008-Jul-25, 5pm AEST
User #179594   1008 posts
In the penalty box

Messiah writes...

sure, but thats not really in their network is it

It is in that it's their problem... Even though it's Telstra's network, you cannot log a fault through them diectly...

posted 2008-Jul-25, 5pm AEST
User #102602   7834 posts
Whirlpool Forums Addict

SONNiC writes...

like how no one will peer with them makes things difficult....

I think you have that back to front. :P

posted 2008-Jul-25, 6pm AEST
User #24379   566 posts
Whirlpool Enthusiast

Ok so youre saying that phone lines and DSLAMs are part of an ISPs network, I wouldn't personally particularly when talking about speed issues specifically, but thats obviously where some peoples confusion is coming from with regards to that statement.

posted 2008-Jul-25, 6pm AEST
User #195483   106 posts
Forum Regular

Messiah writes...

youre saying that phone lines and DSLAMs are part of an ISPs network,

yes, also backhaul and peering.
some of these things aapt has trouble with ....

posted 2008-Jul-25, 10pm AEST
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