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BBMax (again!)

mutterer
Grafter
Posts: 36
Registered: ‎26-07-2007

BBMax (again!)

I know this subject has been done to death, and I apologise in advance.
I am running XP SP2 through a Netgear 834 router connected directly into a BT ADSL faceplate on the master socket.
My stats are:
Attenuation Down 49Db
SNR Down 14Db. This varies by about +/- 5Db depending on wind direction  ;).
At present I am on a 2Mb fixed connection and getting a consistant 1.95Mb speed.  I have just switched from PAYG(RIN) to BBYW Opt. 2.
I am a Happy Bunny  Grin
My question is, bearing in mind the high Attenuation, should I switch to BBMax?
I am not that far from the exchange but I am told by One Who Should Know that the Slade Green exchange was recabled in the 1970s with Alloy cables, but these are due for replacement.
Any thoughts?
13 REPLIES 13
James
Grafter
Posts: 21,036
Thanks: 5
Registered: ‎04-04-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

With an attenuation of 49Db, your cabling probably runs 1.5-2 miles before it actually gets to the exchange.  Never mind though.
I'd expect you to see synchronisation speeds in the region of 4Mbps once you move to the Max service.  The SNR might present a problem though.  We can upgrade you to max and if it doesn't work out, I can get you moved back within 24 hours if you want me to do so.
The choice, is yours!
mutterer
Grafter
Posts: 36
Registered: ‎26-07-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

Thank you, I will have a brood about it.  Might see if any neighbours have any experience with Max.
pjemmanuel
Grafter
Posts: 354
Thanks: 2
Registered: ‎05-04-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

If it's any help, I moved to Max about a month ago now - and I usually sync at around the 2600 to 2700 mark and get a 2Mb profile. Prior to the upgrade I was on a fixed 1Mb line with attenuation of 58-59db and SNR of between 9 and 15db depending on the weather.
Since the upgrade I have lost a little stability, the router may resync up to once a day, usually in the wee hours of the morning, but other than that, no problems at all.
mutterer
Grafter
Posts: 36
Registered: ‎26-07-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

Being upgraded on Monday.  We will see what we will see.
mutterer
Grafter
Posts: 36
Registered: ‎26-07-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

Downstream = 3308
Upstream = 382
Sync = 4896
A worthwhile increase, I shall reboot the router from time to time and see what happens at the middle of next week.
Thank you PlusNet, excellent service as always.
mutterer
Grafter
Posts: 36
Registered: ‎26-07-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

Scary Stuff!
Router Log:
Mon, 2007-09-24 21:31:12 - Loss of synchronization :20
Mon, 2007-09-24 21:34:13 - Loss of synchronization :21
Mon, 2007-09-24 21:43:43 - Loss of synchronization :22
Mon, 2007-09-24 21:47:13 - Loss of synchronization :23
Mon, 2007-09-24 23:03:44 - Loss of synchronization :24
Mon, 2007-09-24 23:06:44 - Loss of synchronization :25
Mon, 2007-09-24 23:33:45 - Loss of synchronization :26
Tue, 2007-09-25 00:13:46 - Loss of synchronization :27
Tue, 2007-09-25 00:48:16 - Loss of synchronization :28
Tue, 2007-09-25 00:50:16 - Loss of synchronization :29
Tue, 2007-09-25 01:00:47 - Loss of synchronization :30
Tue, 2007-09-25 01:18:47 - Loss of synchronization :31
Tue, 2007-09-25 01:52:18 - Loss of synchronization :32
Tue, 2007-09-25 02:23:18 - Loss of synchronization :33
Tue, 2007-09-25 02:25:48 - Loss of synchronization :34
Tue, 2007-09-25 02:26:48 - Loss of synchronization :35
Tue, 2007-09-25 02:32:49 - Loss of synchronization :36
Tue, 2007-09-25 02:36:49 - Loss of synchronization :37
Tue, 2007-09-25 02:37:49 - Loss of synchronization :38
Tue, 2007-09-25 02:43:49 - Loss of synchronization :39
Tue, 2007-09-25 02:46:49 - Loss of synchronization :40
Tue, 2007-09-25 03:05:49 - Loss of synchronization :41
Tue, 2007-09-25 03:23:50 - Loss of synchronization :42
Tue, 2007-09-25 06:30:53 - Loss of synchronization :43
Tue, 2007-09-25 11:36:29 - Loss of synchronization :44
Tue, 2007-09-25 15:58:05 - Loss of synchronization :45
Tue, 2007-09-25 16:45:36 - Loss of synchronization :46
Tue, 2007-09-25 17:30:06 - Loss of synchronization :47
Tue, 2007-09-25 17:32:37 - Loss of synchronization :48
Tue, 2007-09-25 17:43:07 - Loss of synchronization :49
Tue, 2007-09-25 17:54:37 - Loss of synchronization :50
Router Stats:
Connection Speed:  4384 KBPS
Attenuation 53 Db
Noise Margin varies between Minus 0 and 5 Db
Another loss of synch while posting this - Connection speed now 4096 - SNR 4 Db.
Linetest speeds vary between 1300 and 1900 kbps down and a stable 384 up.
Is this situation likely to improve?
Or should I ask to be put back on the 2MB Fixed connection which gave a solid 1950 +/- 20 kbps?

mutterer
Grafter
Posts: 36
Registered: ‎26-07-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

Quote from original post:
"I am running XP SP2 through a Netgear 834 router connected directly into a BT ADSL faceplate on the master socket."
I understand that if the proper filtered faceplate is used then no other filters are required.
I really do not want to sacrifice even more speed than I have done already, I am seeing drops of up to 700 kbps over what I was getting on a 2 Mb fixed service.  If I cannot get consistent speeds over 2 Mb then going to MAX is a pointless exercise.
I have had 2 Sync losses while writing this.  This cannot be right even during the training period, or am I missing something here?
spraxyt
Resting Legend
Posts: 10,063
Thanks: 674
Fixes: 75
Registered: ‎06-04-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

Re-syncs are almost guaranteed if noise margin drops much below 5dB (6dB is the normal target).  From the stats you quoted (noise margins 0 - 5dB, and 4dB soon after a re-sync) it looks like your maxADSL connection is very noisy.  Since you connect into an ADSL faceplate and had a decent noise margin on your fixed-speed service, the cause is most likely external, perhaps at the exchange (faulty line card?), assuming nothing has been done in your home and no new domestic equipment (heating, security lights?) turned on.
BT might need to look into this though PlusNet would have to advise whether they would do so at this stage of your new service.
You might find it useful to read the firmware upgrade comments in the Netgear 834 section on Kitz's website and also run the RouterStats program mentioned there to get a continuous monitor of your noise margin.
David
mutterer
Grafter
Posts: 36
Registered: ‎26-07-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

BT Test results:
IP profile for your line is - 3000 kbps
    DSL connection rate: 448 kbps(UP-STREAM)  4032 kbps(DOWN-STREAM)
    Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 1817 kbps
The speed is roughly in line with what I have been getting, although towards the top of the range.  Apart from a very brief period speeds have always been lower than on the fixed line product.
The BT quiet line test shows no audible noise on the line, and nothing in the house has changed recently.
What is the effect of increasing the target SNR if the Line can't support the new SNR,  I am floundering here.
James
Grafter
Posts: 21,036
Thanks: 5
Registered: ‎04-04-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

Hi there,
I've just bumped your profile to 3000Kbps, so you should see an improvement in speed following a reboot.
If your line is intermittent, then an increase in SNR might be an idea.  Long and short is that if you have done all the wiring and filtering tests and your line is intermittent, then a fault should be raised.
mutterer
Grafter
Posts: 36
Registered: ‎26-07-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

Speedtest now shows 2832 down.
Much better...........
I will work through the checks and raise a fault if and when necessary (yes, I do know how to spell necessary).
Thanks to all for the help and advice, I will keep a close eye on things for a while.
mutterer
Grafter
Posts: 36
Registered: ‎26-07-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

Speed down seems to have settled at circa 2850.
Still getting some losses of sync but not nearly as many as before.
Attenuation is down to 51 Db;  SNR still very low in the evening, could this be Contention?
Thank you jameseh, you seem to have magic fingers  Grin
mutterer
Grafter
Posts: 36
Registered: ‎26-07-2007

Re: BBMax (again!)

Just an update.
Attenuation back to 51 Db
SNR down to 2 Db (Gulp)
Speed tests show a stable 2830 (ish)
The old Netgear is hanging in there  Grin
Still some Sync Losses, mainly around either side of Midnight, when I just don't care.  Only one since 01:30 this AM.