topic Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off? in Plusnet Feedback

Interleaving - Why turn it off?

Boz — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:41:27 GMT

I've recently received an email from Plusnet under the title "Important Information..."
In the email, Plusnet made this statement:-
"We have asked our wholesale broadband suppliers to turn interleaving off at your request.
The stability of your service may suffer as a result of turning interleaving off. If you have problems and want to turn interleaving back on, you will need to use the Broadband Fault Checker at our website."
Apart from the fact that I never made any such request, why would anybody want to turn interleaving off if the stability of the service is likely to suffer?
Boz

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

adamwalker — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 09:40:00 GMT

Hi Boz,
It can actually improve ping responses for some connections and is often favored by gamers.
It's not really the case that it's likely to make your connection unstable, infact it's been connected constantly since.
As per the reply to ticket 62461052 this was applied as the result of an upgrade to ADSL2+ but we can go ahead and remove interleaving if that's what you'd prefer.

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

Boz — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:34:57 GMT

Quote from: _Adam_Walker_

As per the reply to ticket 62461052 this was applied as the result of an upgrade to ADSL2+ but we can go ahead and remove interleaving if that's what you'd prefer.

Hi Adam
You obviously did not read my post. I did not ask for interleaving to be turned off - so if you could, please leave it turned on.
BTW, I was upgraded to ADSL2+ in May 2011, so why you would start messing about with interleaving, at this moment in time, is beyond me.

Boz

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

adamwalker — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:53:23 GMT

Ah, sorry . I did read it, butI seem to have interpreted your post differently.

Quote
Apart from the fact that I never made any such request, why would anybody want to turn interleaving off if the stability of the service is likely to suffer?

That's what made me think you wanted it turning off again, I'll cancel the order.

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

Boz — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 14:59:06 GMT

Quote from: _Adam_Walker_
I'll cancel the order.

Many thanks, Adam.

Boz

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

jelv — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 16:18:58 GMT

If you look at the count of FEC errors being logged by the router and that is low it would be safe to turn interleaving off to gain a lower latency and possibly a bit more speed.

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

Boz — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 17:15:13 GMT

Thanks, jelv - that explains why you would want to turn interleaving off. And presumably the converse is true.
Perhaps Plusnet should have fully explained, in their email, their comment: "The stability of your service may suffer as a result of turning interleaving off".

Boz
dick:quote

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

Boz — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 13:29:42 GMT

I'm now being told by Plusnet that the interleaving change was requested through my member centre portal on this link: https://portal.plus.net/my/account_maintenance/interleaving_control.html
How could anyone possibly have access to my member centre portal?

Boz

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

orbrey — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:13:27 GMT

Hi Boz,
I'll pick this up with the agent concerned but I can't see any requests for interleaving to be added to your line via the portal - sorry about that. I suspect it happened earlier this month following a modify order that was placed on your account so it wasn't done via the portal from what I can see.
Hope everything is alright with the line now and interleaving is off?

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

Boz — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 12:11:21 GMT

Quote from: Matt
Hope everything is alright with the line now and interleaving is off?

Am I allowed to swear ?!!
Please, Matt, do not turn interleaving off !!!

Boz

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

orbrey — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 12:36:49 GMT

Sorry about that... I haven't placed any orders at all, and nothing is changing regarding the interleaving (which is indeed still on).

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

MJH — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 06:29:03 GMT

I've just received an identical e-mail and I don't know why. I never asked for interleaving to be turned off and to be honest I don't know what it is. The only thing I did was to upgrade my package a couple of days ago. Mind you, I'm not complaining. I've had excellent support from Plusnet and have done ever since I left the dreaded Talk-Talk. I'm going to let Plusnet turn off the interleaving thingie and see what happens, thereby adding a little tension and drama to my hum-drum life.

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

Boz — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:53:47 GMT

Quote from: MJH
The only thing I did was to upgrade my package a couple of days ago.

Now that may explain a lot, because I also upgraded to the 60GB deal at the beginning of the month - although it didn't take effect until the 21st.
Is it possible that Plusnet are messing about with interleaving every time a customer upgrades?

Boz

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

jelv — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:16:01 GMT

They mess about with your extra usage cap so it wouldn't surprise me if they messed about with this as well!

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

orbrey — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:18:03 GMT

Hi MJH,
Looking at your line, the records are showing that interleaving has been on Auto since at least the start of October and has been set on Fastpath since then as well?

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

markdebby — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:51:22 GMT

I got the email too after upgrading to 60gb, and I've absolutely NO idea what interleaving is. Since not knowing what it is, I'm not in a position to request it turned off or even to leave it on.
But, going by the comments here, and that I'm in my 60s and not a gamer - could my interleaving be left ON, please?
Thank you.

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

orbrey — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:05:31 GMT

Hi there,
Basically interleaving is error correction, which does mean slightly higher pings but also that any errors in the data transmission are much less likely to affect anything. Yours is currently set to Auto which means it's controlled by the equipment in the exchange, at present it's on and given the speed of your line it's very likely it'll stay on. Having said that though if it is turned off automatically it'll be because the line is working fine.
We can set it to On if you wish, but I suspect as above it'll stay on if it remains set to auto. You should be fine with either setting.
Hope that helps explain.

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

spraxyt — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:56:34 GMT

@markdebby
Since you don't do gaming I suggest leaving the Interleaving setting where it is now on Auto. That lets the equipment in the exchange do what it regards as best for you which should be OK. You don't need to do anything to continue with that setting.
David

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

Boz — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 23:25:58 GMT

Quote from: Matt
Looking at your line, the records are showing that interleaving has been on Auto since at least the start of October and has been set on Fastpath since then as well?

What is "fastpath" and what effect does it have on interleaving?

Boz

Re: Interleaving - Why turn it off?

spraxyt — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 00:30:19 GMT

Fastpath means the same as interleaving off. That setting doesn't make line speed any faster but it does reduce latency which is important for gaming.
Kitz explains the process here.