topic Is something wrong with usage recording? in Plusnet Feedback

Is something wrong with usage recording?

jelv — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:59:10 GMT

I've noticed a few posts in here recently from users seeing a huge increase in usage - typically GB's on particular days.
Usually when we see posts like this it turns out that they've just started doing something like watch programs in HD on iPlayer. But these recent ones don't appear to be like that. There's been enough to make me wonder if there isn't more to it.

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

Surfer — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:44:35 GMT

Seems I am not the only one. I would never consider downloading a film to watch as I don't see any point in doing so. I am sure I would remember downloading a large file as it would still be on my computer.

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

Anotherone — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:00:07 GMT

Well there is something going on Either investigation or a bug! My usage normally updates within about 15mins, right now as of midnight nothing is so far recorded.

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:09:29 GMT

Same for me, for nearly the last three hours, I been browsing, emailing, watching videos, and downloading six Ubuntu .iso images at 650MB to 700MB each, yet VMBU is only showing 21.17MB

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

Anotherone — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:22:05 GMT

You've got some then

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:33:33 GMT

Ooops !

I should get some sleep

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:47:50 GMT

Mine is consistently accurate and quick to show usage, ie after an iPlayer download etc and tallies with my local recording of usage.

However, it does most mornings take an hour or so to catch up fully after 8am I have noticed.

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 06:47:55 GMT

It's OK now

While VMBU is usually quite quick at tracking my night time usage, my usage last night was probably not showing because as it says -
[quote=VMBU]Usage from the last 2 hours is not shown on this page
Maybe last night it was not showing for at least 3 hours ! ?

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

JOC — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:06:52 GMT

Yesterday, 27 April, I allegedly ate up 12Gb of data, that was the last day of the billing month so the daily counter has reset so I can't copy a screenshot.
Typically my average usage is 2Gb, there is no way we can have downloaded that much. I was overseas, so there were fewer people at home, I got 2 warning emails each adding another £5 within 2 hours of eachother. My connection is only a standard BT line, not fibre, so chance of pulling that much data in that time would be quite remarkable.
Come on plus net there must be something wrong here.

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

jelv — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:13:02 GMT

Ask them to provide you with an hour by hour breakdown of usage on that day.

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

JOC — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:17:35 GMT

Thanks, I've logged a support ticket.

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

Gus — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:24:06 GMT

12gig is easy to use in a day even if you have a slow connection. I would suspect a game download on steam or similar as you say there were fewer people at home, when the cats away.

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

JOC — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:43:19 GMT

Agreed, but not in a couple of hours though? Nor at the time suggested which was 5-7pm when speed is slower.
I am checking the router logs and pc histories from yesterday though.

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

Oldjim — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:53:08 GMT

I thought mine was so I downloaded NetworX and to my horror on one of my regular sites the usage on clicking through 3 pages was 31MB - no wonder my usage has increased.
Even refreshing the page is as bad

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

JOC — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:03:48 GMT

Thanks Jim, that looks very useful, I've not heard of it before now.

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

Surfer — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:13:26 GMT

Something wrong here! On checking a breakdown of my usage 2% was recorded as gaming. I have never done any gaming online in my life and never will as I haven't a clue how it would be done! I can understand streaming from watching Youtube clips. Something weird is going on with usage figures!

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

spraxyt — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:11:07 GMT

A small amount of misclassified traffic is normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong. The Ellacoya traffic classification devices have no knowledge of what you are actually doing, just make a best guess as packets fly past.

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

Surfer — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:01:58 GMT

Kb is acceptable, but megabytes is not. I did a check on my line via the Kitz website and under the RAG test it showed the following;
Check: The check identified another service on your line which may prevent you from ordering a new ADSL connection. Examples are : Existing adsl connection, DACs, LLU, TPON etc came
Not sure what the above means. Surely it should show no compatibility issues?

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

jelv — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:07:58 GMT

It means you have a broadband connection on your line!
That test is only of use for testing a line before BB is installed.

Re: Is something wrong with usage recording?

Surfer — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:35:48 GMT

Thanks. I thought as much, but was not sure.