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Broadband: Broadband: Is my cable connection becoming saturated?
- 10/2/09 10:18 AM
Cable Broadband
by EricEF - 10/4/09 8:26 PM In reply to: Broadband: Is my cable connection becoming saturated? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Cable Broadband is shared bandwidth, unlike DSL. If your router and modem checkout fine I would suggest there is too much traffic on your cable system. Questions to ask: Have more of your neighbors signed up for cable broadband? Do you live in a location where new construction has recently been finished and more people reside and use cable broadband than when you initially got your cable service?
While cable can be much faster than typical DSL, it often is not. Depends on how many are using it at the same time. Ever notice cable tv On Demand works well at the strangest hours? This uses the same broadband your cable internet works on. At times it gets overloaded and can only function in one direction (broadcast only) Just something to consider.
Saturated with responses! Wow!
by sbogucki2002 - 10/6/09 8:59 AM In reply to: Broadband: Is my cable connection becoming saturated? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
First, many thanks to all for their attention and responses to my query. Since I've been reading questions of the week, I've gotten so many ideas on so many technical questions, that CNET and Lee (and all the contirbutors) should be applauded for their generosity of spirit and talent. It really is a community.
Where to start?
I powered down everything. Powered up my cablemodem, and noticed that the activity light was dark. Powered up my LinkSys WRT54GS router, and the light is now fairly solid (with no computers turned on). I updated the router firmware (hadn’t been done since January 09).
NOTE: no computers were on until I booted my main box to update the firmware. The router uses WEP (I know, but my son’s Nintendo couldn’t go with better, and that was long before the current discussion.) and MAC filtering.
I use AVG, ZoneAlrm free, Adaware, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and SpyBot S&D (although not all at the same time). If I notice even a minor ripple in my placid daily online experience, I run Housecall for a second look. I have BitDefender Quick Scan and No Script on my FireFox Browser. I even use SandBoxie, when really out there. I hope I don’t appear paranoid, but many friends have called on me when their systems have been compromised, and have been satisfied when I’ve handed their PC’s back. I have confidence in my PC’s integrity. (Sorry if that sounded like a rant.)
Anyway, with nothing but the (“adequately-protected”) router, and a nearly solid modem activity light (Surfboard SB4100), I wonder if I should reach out to Linksys support/forums to find out if there’s an issue or setting that needs attention.
As far as sparcely populated areas go, there has been growth in cable internet use in the area, with predictably noticable bogging down with daily traffic cycles. I was intrigued with the one response that mentioned that DSL doesn’t act like a “party line”, compared to the cable bus. But I don’t think DSL would still come anywhere close to cable speeds (and FIOS may never make it to my area.) Wi-Fi piggybackers are not a problem – physical space between neighbors makes it impractical. I had to run CAT6 to my barn (< 80 ft) because the signal didn’t make it.
I’ll do some more inquiring and reading and respond again soon.
Thanks again,
Steve
Good to hear from you...
by JCitizen - 10/6/09 9:36 AM In reply to: Saturated with responses! Wow! by sbogucki2002Now that you have further responded, it does sound like a particularly vexing problem. It has been my experience that LinkSys devices are particularly choosey about voltage, and wild behaviors and failures can result from such.
Oddly enough simply powering one with a line conditioner or UPS with line-conditioning has cured some exasperating problems for some of my clients. Some have even had to go to the extreme of putting a cheap inline hub before and after the router, taking care to use linksys hubs so at least that small segment of cable would have the proper voltage.
When the hubs fail it is no big deal, cost wise that way. I know this probably sounds flaky, but in the Denver area this has worked for many people.
Doing a firmware update definitely improved this problem for previous models, but I thought I read your model had the problem whipped already; so perhaps I should digress. The acid test would be to place another brand router there and check performance. However this may seem expreme to you also.
Although DSL may not be the answer, I can attest that my DSL which runs at 5Mbs is more than adequate for everything you can imagine doing on the internet. I don't have a family, but my machine is capable of multi-threading and with a quad-core duo and a lot of RAM, I've been able to have several utilities updating while downloading FTP files and watching high definition video with flashplayer.
In some locals DSL can be cheaper, and therefor an attractive complement or replacement for cable services. In my area there is no difference in throughput or line speed, as both of them are rated at 5Mbs; however even in the rural areas here, we have fiber optic up to the final loop. As soon as the price of optical modems lowers enough, our ISP has already announced we will be getting much more bandwidth with the change over.
LinkSys and DSL
by sbogucki2002 - 10/7/09 7:03 AM In reply to: Good to hear from you... by JCitizenI've never had any trouble with the LinkSys router, other then when power has flickered. Then I have to do a real power-on-reset. The same with the modem. They are plugged into power strips, but I can't remember whether they have surge protection - probably not. My wife is pressing for the green alternative of completely powering everything off when not in use.
As to DSL, I live about a mile from the local switch (if the building I'm thinking of is my switch). My church is about another half mile farther up the road - they had DSL put in because the dial-up was excruciating. Since I do the geek-work for them, I have seen their response time. It's adequate for their needs, I guess, but I was spoiled by cable when I first got it. It would be an expensive experiment to switch to DSL and find out it would be slower. I have been anxiously awaiting FIOS, but I don't think we have the population density to get it yet. I've been to speakeasy.net/ and my speed averages 2300 kbps and 1000 kbps (download/upload), which is pretty much what I think I pay for, although Comcast keeps emailing me to power off/on my modem for speed upgrades. If the 5Mbs you get only degrades to 3Mbs over the distance to my house, it might be worth it.
On the other hand, I've gotten feedback saying it may be time to update my ancient modem to get a speed boost.
Yes, I see that as difficult...
by JCitizen - 10/7/09 3:56 PM In reply to: LinkSys and DSL by sbogucki2002In this economy I wouldn't switch either.
Re: Saturated...............
by Glenn51 - 10/6/09 10:29 AM In reply to: Saturated with responses! Wow! by sbogucki2002Steve:
I did a little more investigating with the additional info provided. First off the SB4100 is a virtual dinosaur on the Motorola page.
Secondly, with only the cable modem powered on the only light that should be lit is the power light as this is the standby mode.
Once you turn on the LinkSys router, I'm only assuming, it senses that it is in a connected mode and ALL lights should come on steadily with occasional blinking. this would be normal. Same thing for your LinkSys router.
After a little more investigating
it was noted that the cable modem uses a channel that isn't being used for video(TV channel). This being the case I'm fairly sure that everyone in the neighborhood is probably using the same channel for their internet, ergo sharing or "party line."
I'm thinking that this sharing of a channel is what you're experiencing. There is only so many channels available on the cable line, most are being used for TV signals.
As someone else stated your area is becoming saturated with more new homes using the existing cable line and internet capabilities. If I'm correct in my assumption as more homes come on line it will degrade further.
Also, not that it will make any dramatic improvement, I would ask about being upgraded to a newer cable modem from your provider. I had to go to discontinued modems to find your SB4100.
I know some are going to argue the party line thing but it states that the modem uses a channel that is NOT being used as a video/TV channel. How many extra channels are there on the cable line so everyone gets their own internet connect line?????
I hope this helps somewhat in understanding what is happening.
How about this?
by sbogucki2002 - 10/7/09 8:53 AM In reply to: Re: Saturated............... by Glenn51I just spent some time on chat with Comcast about swapping out my modem for a new one (can be done - I can have some one come out (don't want that), or I can go to a local office and swap it out. Odds are I 'd get a newer model. (better)
I asked about tiers of service. He said the only other tier available in my area is POWERBOOST, which would cost $10 more for up to 16Mbs. That's around 5.5 times faster than I have now. (ideally)
I may have to try that. It doesn't require a technician to upgrade the service.
BEST DEAL.
by Good-PC.Guy! - 10/7/09 11:05 AM In reply to: How about this? by sbogucki2002AND THEIR CURRENT ADVERTISING STATES THAT THAT DEAL IS NOW JUST UNDER 20-BUCKS A MONTH (for 6 months)!
LET US KNOW IF YOU GET THAT BEST DEAL!
*whistle*!!! That sounds very good!!
by JCitizen - 10/7/09 4:00 PM In reply to: How about this? by sbogucki2002I do a lot of high def online, and that would do VERY nicely with the video streaming! I doubt a person would need any buffering at that fantastic speed!
Up to 16 MB/S
by Quanmeg - 10/8/09 5:19 PM In reply to: How about this? by sbogucki2002Up to 16 MB/S means exactly that.
UP TO
Most of the time it will be considerably less and maybe even less than you have now.
Don't plan on ever seeing 16 mb/s for more than a few weeks after the time you buy it.
Before you know it you will be posting on C-Net about saturation and the only time you will see your 16 mb/s is on Sunday at 4AM
Test your speed and make your ISP provide what you have paid for.
My high speed provider had me down to 2.8 mb/s and my computer wouldn't even function. When confronted with it they got me up to 11 mb/s without even sending a technician to the house or changing out the modem and they did it in less than 5 hot minutes.
Forget the doom and gloom and get a clue. Upgrading your plan is exactly what the ISPs love, but you still won't get what you are paying for.
I agree...
by JCitizen - 10/8/09 6:57 PM In reply to: Up to 16 MB/S by Quanmeghowever, I've been very happy in the near past with only 1.5mbs!
I found I had to run AdWatch on Adaware, and use CCleaner to get rid of misbehaving temp files, to be able to run my applications and downloads properly.
MBAM lifetime license for real time protection even better- - -
I do not work for any man or company - I just hate malware to pieces!
broadband
by oklahoma64 - 10/8/09 12:09 PM In reply to: Broadband: Is my cable connection becoming saturated? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Well i would suggest a modem test all have a habit of going out being used alot or not so much usually you will be entitaled to a free replacement
Two things about that and the good deal
by sbogucki2002 - 10/8/09 4:56 PM In reply to: broadband by oklahoma64The comcast guy said I could swap modems without any qualifiers, like failures or whatever - so that looks like a good thing to do just to get newer technology (if there's a great difference in basic cable modems since I got mine).
Also, my wife wants to spend less money, not more, and I can't fault her on that. She has a habit of calling me back to earth. (good habit, actually.)
PowerBoost DEAL...
by Good-PC.Guy! - 10/8/09 9:52 PM In reply to: Two things about that and the good deal by sbogucki2002SO WHY NOT GO-AHEAD & MAKE HER & YOURSELF HAPPY (for 6 months)...
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT Comcast WANTS CUSTOMERS TO GET HOOKED ON THEIR HIGHER PRICED 'PowerBoost', SO THEY'VE BEEN CURRENTLY OFFERING IT FOR JUST UNDER $20 A MONTH (while you get hooked on it).
THAT COULD ACTUALLY SAVE YOU (at least) 30-BUCKS OVER THE NEXT HALF A YEAR.
SO DON'T TELL THOSE SAME Comcast-PEOPLE THAT YOU WANT TO UPGRADE,, INSTEAD, CALL THEIR '1-800 C O M C A S T'
NUMBER AND REQUEST THEIR PowerBoost TRIAL-DEAL.
Broadband Saturation
by blurrier - 10/10/09 2:44 PM In reply to: Broadband: Is my cable connection becoming saturated? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Yes. I would say the #1 problem is the broadband connection for service and is there a "filter" at your connection to the servicer? Check it out or have someone else do it for you.
#2: MODEM. Try Motorola SB5120 modem and I was told I should replace my modem every 2 years. This is a fast modem and the best one I've ever used from Comcast. (By the way, Comcast raised the price for modem rental and the service is worse than ever for high speed Internet in my area)
#3: VIRUS
#4: Certain websites have "MEGABYTE ADVERTS!!!" that really slow down the experience. Such sites are overloading the computers. In particular a good site to see this happening is at the Discovery Channel, Dirty Jobs website. On certain webpages when you are watching video clips or playing interactive games, a Toyota MEGABYTE advertisement pops up to the side and you can see the dramatic slow down of action!!!
(It's that Toyota commercial with the "slider bar"). The website seems to run fairly smooth when different adverts are run on the sidebar,etc.
Check these helpful hints.
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