Router modem speed issues

[Dansin]

I updated the firmware on our DG834GT last week. Ever since then the broadband (BT Broadband) connection speed (via ethernet) has dropped to 2 to 2.5Mb/s. The router has stayed up for five days now but the PPoA connection is dropping out a couple of times a day. Prior to the firmware update I saved the router settings and have reloaded them, so as far as I can tell everything should be the same....

On the router the connection speed is shown as 5.888Mb/s, noise at a consistent 6.5 - 7db, attenuation at 41db, line profile is 5Mb/s.

A speed test via wireless on the laptop gives 5.5Mb/s. Plug an ethernet cable straight in to the router and the same test drops down to 2 to 2.5Mb/s.

We're running a gigabit network using fixed IP's. All DNS settings set to google DNS Servers. I changed the switch from a D Link managed one to a HP unmanaged one a couple of months ago but this is only a recent problem. No difference if I disconnect everything from the switch.

Tried altering MTU settings on the router and on the NIC's - 1500, 1472, 1458. No difference.

Sorry for the long winded post. I'm normally OK with this stuff but this has me stumped. I'm trying another router later to see if that helps, but if anyone has any ideas then please post.

 

[rce]

I always ran the DGteam firmware on mine as it pissed all over the netgear offering.

Problems I have seen that have caused similar issues.

Failed/failing switch

Faulty ethernet cable

Gigabit ports flooding 10/100 ports, if connecting to a 10/100 port using a gigabit ethernet card force the card to 10/100 don't leave on automatic.

 

[cookie]

not sure about netgear routers, but mine does not like it if you reload an old config file after a firmware update. values need to be entered manually.

 

[Dansin]

I always ran the DGteam firmware on mine as it pissed all over the netgear offering.

Problems I have seen that have caused similar issues.

Failed/failing switch

Faulty ethernet cable

Gigabit ports flooding 10/100 ports, if connecting to a 10/100 port using a gigabit ethernet card force the card to 10/100 don't leave on automatic.

Tried the latest DGteam firmware but no different.

I don't 'think' it's the switch but will dig out the managed one and try that anyway.

Used several different ethernet cables so not that.

Flooding ports. Not thought about that one and I guess the unmanaged switch isn't going to help the situation? Although I'm testing connected direct to the router so unlikely.

not sure about netgear routers, but mine does not like it if you reload an old config file after a firmware update. values need to be entered manually.

Tried manual setup too but no different. Not tried to flash it back to an old firmware yet. But I suspect I may end up bricking it if I do.

I thought it may have been packet shaping but the line tested clear of that.

Thanks for the ideas so far. Going to try an alternative router overnight to see if it helps.

 

[shugie]

I've had similar problems with a BT homehub over the last week or so, occasional line drops for no apparent reason. I have better noise and attenuation, being close to the exchange, and I suspect BT are doing some work on their network.

A customer has had similar issues in Reading, so perhaps BT are having a general fiddle as part of their high speed (cough, cough) broadband rollout.

Seems we might be getting fibre to the cabinet next year, shame it's a piece of manky ally multicore between me and the cabinet.

The difference between a wired connection and wireless is strange though, is that with the same machine making both connections?

 

[Dansin]

I've had similar problems with a BT homehub over the last week or so, occasional line drops for no apparent reason. I have better noise and attenuation, being close to the exchange, and I suspect BT are doing some work on their network.

A customer has had similar issues in Reading, so perhaps BT are having a general fiddle as part of their high speed (cough, cough) broadband rollout.

Seems we might be getting fibre to the cabinet next year, shame it's a piece of manky ally multicore between me and the cabinet.

The difference between a wired connection and wireless is strange though, is that with the same machine making both connections?

Same laptop was used wired and wireless.

Had a DG834PN on loan. Reset it to default config and left it up all night. No dropouts, connection speed to the cabinet is up to 6.112Mb/s and more importantly a speed test connects at 4.9Mb/s. The old routers ethernet connection must be goosed somehow.

Time for a new router. I've had my moneys worth out of this one as its a free sky one flashed back to a standard Netgear. Must be eight odd years old now.

 

[Dansin]

Update

Just plugged the old one back in. No lights at all now, a faint high pitched noise and distinct electrical burning smell. Now in the recycling.

 

[shugie]

Just plugged the old one back in. No lights at all now, a faint high pitched noise and distinct electrical burning smell. Now in the recycling.

A burning smell is always a good indicator of the wrong size of voles getting in the wrong place, 'tis fubar as you say.