Sync at 12 mega bits only get 1.7 mb

Joe_Bloggs

I think I was caught out by my local exchange being upgraded to ADSL2+
At the time my modem was capable of syncing at 8 Mbps but it was not ADSL2+ capable. It made many errors, according to it's logs that I never noticed in actual network usage.
I subsequently upgraded my router to a recent model (Netgear DGN2000).
Netgear routers are also supplied by my unnamed ISP.

As in the title the modem syncs at 12Mbps, the download is 1.7Mbs the upload is 0.8 - 1 Mbps. The upload speed has increased considerably when compared to the old router.
Any thoughts regarding where the problem lies. My ISP were responsive, but in the end suggested that the problem may lie between the computer and the router.
J_B.

Glossary
ISP. Internet service provider
Mbps. Mega bits per second
bit. 8 bits make a byte.

espresso

Who is this unnamed ISP? What are you paying for?

[STRIKE]Glossary
ISP. Internet service provider
Mbps. Mega bits per second
bit. 8 bits make a byte.
[/STRIKE]
Not required on Techie Stuff Board.

:rolleyes:

Joe_Bloggs

Thanks expresso.
My ISP is Virgin Media. I am paying for up to 8Mbps. I am not on a contract.
J_B.
I think if you introduce an acronym then it helps the casual reader if you clarify the specific meaning. I accept that one can go too far and end up like a text book.
PS bit (binary digit).

fwor

ISPs do tend to have a habit of blaming anything that could not be construed as their fault. If your computer is connected to the router via fast (i.e. 100Mb/s) or Gig ethernet (or USB 2 for that matter) then it's highly unlikely to be the bottleneck.

However, one thing that can have a fairly large impact on throughput is if you have the wrong MTU size set on your computer. IIRC, if it's larger than your ISP uses then you get a lot of fragmentation, and if it's much too small the line won't be used efficiently.

Joe_Bloggs

The MTU (maximum transfer unit) is 1458. This can be changed.
The Encapsulation is termed PPPoA. The multiplexing is VC-based rather than the alternative of LLC based. Some multiplexing settings are:- VPI 0, VCI 38.
All wireless features are turned off.
J_B.

deanos

Just because you are syncing at that speed it may be capped, my AOL broadband syncs at 6.5mb but fastest i can go is 2mb as thats what im paying for.

Virgin have a habbit of managing peoples speed depending on how busy it it as well.

weegie.geek

If you're connected via ethernet, that rules out the sometimes dodgy wi-fi.

Just because you're syncing at 12mbit doesn't mean you can download at that speed. Allow 15% or so for overheads. Say you should expect 10mbit real world speeds.

Next you have to look at how you're measuring the speed. Speed testers are notorious for misrepresenting the actual speed. Some are miles under, some are miles over.

Ideally you want to run several http downloads at the same time, from different uk locations, and note the throughput.

Thinkbroadband's speed testing app for windows lets you measure the speed over a period of time. I'd start downloading 3 or 4 linux distros from different uk locations, wait a minute for speeds to level out, then use TbbMeter's stopwatch feature for say 5 minutes. It'll tell you your average and maximum speeds over the measured period.

Obviously make sure there's nothing else downloading or using the network, and that there's nobody else on your network using the internet.

VM do throttle, but I thought it was only on their cable service. Perhaps they throttle on ADSL as well, I can't say I know much about their service.

Joe_Bloggs

For speed testing I used the ISP recommended link of http://www.speedtest.net/
I am sure that the maximum speed is being managed somewhere in the network. If I am getting less bandwidth, then someone else is getting more. This may be down to the ISP or perhaps the wholesaler BT. I have no way of knowing .

I do not download significant amounts of data. No iplayer activity or similar services. I do not do file sharing ,P2P etc.

I also do not know where I stand regarding download limits as I do not have a contract. As I see it I am more likely to get a better network connection as a new customer with a new provider than an existing customer of an old provider.
J_B.