mmurch03
asked on
10-30% packet loss on DSL from SBC
I have SBC DSL 3mbit connection at home and I have been having connection problems that their tech support can't seem to fix. Hopefully I can find a resolution here...
Basically, my connection is choppy at best and I have a hard time completing downloads as they stall or quit all together. When doing a ping IP -t I consistantly drop 10-30% of the packets I send. SBC says nothing is wrong, and they will charge $60 if they come out and the problem is on my end. I want to make sure it is not on my end before I let them come and look.
The issue persists on winXP home, win2000pro and slax (linux live cd).
Please help!! If it is not an issue on my end, what should I tell sbc?? They seem clueless...
Basically, my connection is choppy at best and I have a hard time completing downloads as they stall or quit all together. When doing a ping IP -t I consistantly drop 10-30% of the packets I send. SBC says nothing is wrong, and they will charge $60 if they come out and the problem is on my end. I want to make sure it is not on my end before I let them come and look.
The issue persists on winXP home, win2000pro and slax (linux live cd).
Please help!! If it is not an issue on my end, what should I tell sbc?? They seem clueless...
ASKER
Nope, no router and only winxp firewall...
And the 2nd part?
Is the DSL on a splitter or are you 100% sure every phone jack is filtered?
Is the DSL on a splitter or are you 100% sure every phone jack is filtered?
ASKER
I'm sorry, no there are splitters and I'm 100% sure each phone jack is filtered.
Best thing to do for testing (if you can) is to take the DSL modem out to the DMARC and plug directly in there. Then go directly from the DSL modem to a computer (no hub, switch, whatever) and see if you still have the problem. This should eliminate any wiring/filtering problem internally.
It's a royal pain, but that's the best way to eliminate anything being "your problem" like they want.
It's a royal pain, but that's the best way to eliminate anything being "your problem" like they want.
ASKER
Yeah, I live in an apartment, and it's impossible for me to do that...
ASKER
Any other tips? If I go to network-tools.com and run a traceroute to my ip, the 17th hop always times out and it is right after the redback router from sbc...could that possibly be the issue? If so, how can I figure out where the problem is? Is it even possible or am I pissing in the wind?
http://www.blackcastlesoft.com/uotrace/download.asp
UO trace is a handy little utility, you can trace route out to wherever and then "poll" and it will continually ping each hop on the way and you can see where the problem might be.
UO trace is a handy little utility, you can trace route out to wherever and then "poll" and it will continually ping each hop on the way and you can see where the problem might be.
ASKER
Thanks, cool tool! Still haven't fixed anything yet though...
Maybe a dumb question, but have you replaced your cabling? If not, try a different ethernet cable into the DSL modem, and also a different RJ-11 phone cord from the DSL modem to the wall jack. I alway start with the most likely scenarios, and cables/wiring is the component that fails the most (in my experience). Also, try hardcoding the NIC in your PC to static settings (i.e. 100baseT, full duplex).
ASKER
Great suggestion, I'll try that and report back!
ASKER
Same problem persists after changing the cables...damn...I was getting optimistic too!
Ask them to replace your modem. Sounds like the firmware is either incomplete or corrupted.
If they won't send you a new modem (or do a line check), you can upgrade the firmware on your modem yourself.
Post back witht he model if they won't reissue a workign modem.
You also have to keep into account over network overhead. Could be that many users are in your area causing network-wide congestion.
AC
If they won't send you a new modem (or do a line check), you can upgrade the firmware on your modem yourself.
Post back witht he model if they won't reissue a workign modem.
You also have to keep into account over network overhead. Could be that many users are in your area causing network-wide congestion.
AC
ASKER
Model: Speedstream 5100 type "B" modem (with 5 lights)
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ASKER
Well, I don't believe it! I updated the firmware and it works just fine now. No packet loss at all...I'm in awe. Thanks everyone!!
ASKER
Scratch that, I apologize, there is still loss...449 sent 444 received 5 lost (1%)
Is that normal or should I not be losing any packets at all?
Is that normal or should I not be losing any packets at all?
minor packet loss on the Internet is pretty normal, unless it is to your next hop (i.e your ISP).
ASKER
Yeah, it is an isp issue...I'm losing the packets before I get out on the internet. They call it the "redback" that I go through to get out to the internet, and I am losing the packets between my apartment and the redback. Nothing I can do but wait for the technician visit and show them that my modem is indeed plugged in to the power strip. The firmware upgrade may have helped anyway as my packet loss is much lower than before. Thanks again for all of your help!
If so do you get a solid ping to that w/o a problem?
Is your DSL on a splitter or do you have filters on all your phones?
This is the most common problem. A lot of people forget about things like Tivo that are plugged into a phone jack and need to be filtered as well.