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Intermittent drop outs

toweliechaos
Dabbler
Posts: 14
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎08-09-2016

Intermittent drop outs

I wonder if anyone could offer a suggestion on my issue. 

In the last week or two, I appear to be getting regular temporary disconnections but only seems to be wireless devices. Wired devices (e.g. Raspberry Pi) don't seem to lose their connection, but may just be disguising it with cache buffers etc. My Android tablet frequently fails to connect to email, apps etc. and my ruark hifi when connected to Internet radio will lose the signal for about 45-50s before reconnecting for anything between 5 minutes and a few hours. 

I have just been in the loft (where the router and master socket reside) to find it showing a solid orange light and 'b' lit up. Then it turned green, then flashing orange and then blue. I suspect this is happening often and why the disconnections occur and are short-lived. 

Looking at the event log, I can see nothing helpful, although it does look busy:

 

16:00:29, 03 Feb. ( 1926.120000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>55539, internal ports: 55539, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:27, 03 Feb. ( 1924.130000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>55538, internal ports: 55538, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:25, 03 Feb. ( 1921.920000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>55537, internal ports: 55537, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:23, 03 Feb. ( 1919.910000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>55536, internal ports: 55536, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:21, 03 Feb. ( 1917.870000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>50948, internal ports: 21, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:19, 03 Feb. ( 1915.840000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9040, internal ports: 9040, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:17, 03 Feb. ( 1913.830000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9039, internal ports: 9039, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:14, 03 Feb. ( 1911.560000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9038, internal ports: 9038, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:12, 03 Feb. ( 1909.490000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9037, internal ports: 9037, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:10, 03 Feb. ( 1907.400000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9036, internal ports: 9036, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:08, 03 Feb. ( 1905.320000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9035, internal ports: 9035, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:06, 03 Feb. ( 1903.260000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9034, internal ports: 9034, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:04, 03 Feb. ( 1901.020000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9033, internal ports: 9033, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:02, 03 Feb. ( 1898.920000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9032, internal ports: 9032, internal client: 192.168.1.10
16:00:00, 03 Feb. ( 1896.810000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9031, internal ports: 9031, internal client: 192.168.1.10
15:59:58, 03 Feb. ( 1894.690000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9030, internal ports: 9030, internal client: 192.168.1.10
15:59:55, 03 Feb. ( 1892.580000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9029, internal ports: 9029, internal client: 192.168.1.10
15:59:53, 03 Feb. ( 1890.260000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9028, internal ports: 9028, internal client: 192.168.1.10
15:59:51, 03 Feb. ( 1888.080000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9027, internal ports: 9027, internal client: 192.168.1.10
15:59:48, 03 Feb. ( 1885.310000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9026, internal ports: 9026, internal client: 192.168.1.10
15:59:46, 03 Feb. ( 1883.090000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>9025, internal ports: 9025, internal client: 192.168.1.10
15:59:44, 03 Feb. ( 1880.740000) Port forwarding rule deleted via UPnP/TR064. Protocol: TCP, external ports: any-​>6690, internal ports: 6690, internal client: 192.168.1.10
15:58:47, 03 Feb. ( 1823.900000) CWMP: session completed successfully
15:58:47, 03 Feb. ( 1823.730000) CWMP: HTTP authentication success from https://dbtpnhdm.bt.mo
15:58:40, 03 Feb. ( 1817.280000) CWMP: Server URL: https://dbtpnhdm.bt.mo; Connecting as user: ACS username
15:58:40, 03 Feb. ( 1817.270000) CWMP: Session start now. Event code(s): '4 VALUE CHANGE'
15:58:38, 03 Feb. ( 1814.950000) WAN operating mode is VDSL
15:58:38, 03 Feb. ( 1814.950000) Last WAN operating mode was VDSL
15:58:36, 03 Feb. ( 1813.460000) PPP IPCP Receive Configuration ACK
15:58:36, 03 Feb. ( 1813.450000) PPP IPCP Send Configuration Request
15:58:36, 03 Feb. ( 1813.450000) PPP IPCP Receive Configuration NAK
15:58:36, 03 Feb. ( 1813.440000) PPP IPCP Send Configuration ACK
15:58:36, 03 Feb. ( 1813.440000) PPP IPCP Receive Configuration Request
15:58:36, 03 Feb. ( 1813.440000) PPP IPCP Send Configuration Request
15:58:35, 03 Feb. ( 1812.340000) PPPoE is up -​ Down Rate=39950Kbps, Up Rate=1999Kbps; SNR Margin Down=21.5dB, Up=30.0dB
15:58:35, 03 Feb. ( 1812.320000) CHAP authentication successful
15:58:35, 03 Feb. ( 1812.270000) CHAP Receive Challenge
15:58:35, 03 Feb. ( 1812.270000) Starting CHAP authentication with peer

 

Any thoughts? Dodgy router? Dodgy connection? 

Thanks in advance 

33 REPLIES 33
MrSilver
Pro
Posts: 550
Thanks: 82
Fixes: 9
Registered: ‎05-10-2016

Re: Intermittent drop outs

I think this is your problem

( 1812.340000) PPPoE is up -​ Down Rate=39950Kbps, Up Rate=1999Kbps; SNR Margin Down=21.5dB, Up=30.0dB

 

Plusnet have an issue and trialling a fix for a bug that causes the 2mb upload lines to drop out under heavy uploads. Suspect that is the same problem you have. Post on the end of the thread above and  bob is enabling on lines as and when he can.

 

https://community.plus.net/t5/Fibre-Broadband/Plusnet-fibre-broadband-does-not-cope-with-uploads-and...

pjhitchins
Hooked
Posts: 5
Registered: ‎03-02-2017

Re: Intermittent drop outs

Fairly confident this is a separate issue, he says he wasn't uploading and that wired devices don't disconnect. Also, AFAIK the router doesn't change the colour of lights when this occurs (I may be wrong here to)
jafreer
Aspiring Pro
Posts: 858
Thanks: 41
Registered: ‎13-10-2012

Re: Intermittent drop outs

If the router lights are changing I doubt the disconnection is only occurring on wireless devices. Sounds like the connection to the cabinet is dropping.

I can't comment as to whether it is the upload issue causing this but I wanted to chip in and say I don't think it is isolated to wireless only.

jwsg
Rising Star
Posts: 166
Thanks: 32
Registered: ‎16-08-2013

Re: Intermittent drop outs

For the last couple of days I'm seeing disconnects for the first time in a year of use - in particular I've seen it cycle many times over a few minutes before stabilising - which I'm sure will show up on the logs PN will have. I'll keep monitoring and if this continues raise a fault.

toweliechaos
Dabbler
Posts: 14
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎08-09-2016

Re: Intermittent drop outs

I only say that I'm pretty sure that wired devices are ok as I was streaming on the Pi when the internet radio in the next room dropped connection. However, that may be the cache buffer on the Pi allowing 50s worth of streaming before the disconnect affects it? 

Unfortunately with the router in the loft it's not practical to maintain "eyes on" to check the light status. 

jafreer
Aspiring Pro
Posts: 858
Thanks: 41
Registered: ‎13-10-2012

Re: Intermittent drop outs

Do you happen to have a Home Hub 5A or 5B by any chance? (and if so, which model)

toweliechaos
Dabbler
Posts: 14
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎08-09-2016

Re: Intermittent drop outs

It's the plusnet one hub, which I believe is a rebadged BT home hub. I can find out more if you tell me where to look / what to look for. 

jafreer
Aspiring Pro
Posts: 858
Thanks: 41
Registered: ‎13-10-2012

Re: Intermittent drop outs

There is a version of Routerstats which works with the Hub One.

 

http://www.vwlowen.co.uk/RouterStatsHub/routerstatshub.htm

Note there is also a link on that page for config info to let it work with the Hub One.

If you can get that software up and running you can start getting some metrics around what is happening or at the very least, how often the drops are occurring and when.

 

MrSilver
Pro
Posts: 550
Thanks: 82
Fixes: 9
Registered: ‎05-10-2016

Re: Intermittent drop outs

The current plusnet bug drops the ppp session so will cause the router to flash the internet light.
Yes it could reconnect and have buffered on the pi, but like Spotify on the train through a tunnel works when no signal still.
DS
Seasoned Champion
Posts: 2,307
Thanks: 504
Fixes: 22
Registered: ‎06-01-2017

Re: Intermittent drop outs

I actually think there's two issues going on here....Shocked

Ones the tinternet dropping, the others the wifi dropping.

A loft really isn't the best place to have a router located inhmo, summer time it'll bake, winter time it'll catch a cold.

The wifi also would be struggling downstairs (assuming it's not a bungalow).

You could really do with moving it to a lower position, but changing the wifi settings might help a bit.

 

Firstly, on a mobile look for an install a wifi analyser. Then run it in the location where the furthest fixed device is. Note which of these channels has the least congestion - 1, 6, or 11. Then access the hub's wifi page - click me and you'll get straight there - and change the wifi channel to the one you found. Click apply. Then click on the 5GHz tab and do the following - on the sync with 2.4GHz select no, add 5GHz to the SSID shown and click apply.

Now go to the portable devices in use, scan for networks. If they can see a good strong <yourwifi5GHz> SSID select this. If you can still see a poor 5GHz and your normal SSID, go with the normal one.

5GHz is good at short range

2.4GHz is better at longer distances from the routers location

Some devices can work on both 2.4Ghz and 5GHz and these hubs can confuse our equipment.

toweliechaos
Dabbler
Posts: 14
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎08-09-2016

Re: Intermittent drop outs

The master socket is in the loft so the router needs to be there. The temperature is at neither end of the extreme all year. The wifi signal downstairs is fine in all but one area of the kitchen. I also have powerline adapters, one with WiFi extender on a separate SSID, so there is nowhere without a good signal. It's a very rural location so there is minimal congestion / interference around. 

So, in short, I don't think you've identified the issue. I believe the wifi issue is the same as the disconnect but I use wireless devices more often and therefore notice it more. 

jafreer
Aspiring Pro
Posts: 858
Thanks: 41
Registered: ‎13-10-2012

Re: Intermittent drop outs

I think the clue is when you stated the router lights flash. As I said earlier, I believe the connection to the cabinet is dropping. Did you manage to get routerstats installed?

DS
Seasoned Champion
Posts: 2,307
Thanks: 504
Fixes: 22
Registered: ‎06-01-2017

Re: Intermittent drop outs

I know some powerline adapters have been found not to work well with the Hub One. I can't tell you which because PN never revealed which ones are known not to work well.

Also, over the years some users have reported issues with PLA's that was found to be caused by the house wiring (radial circuits).

I guess I'm wrong but if the wifi devices are dropping more than others, it can only be wifi related, an IP conflict or you've forwarded some ports (based on the event log above) and there's a mismatch going on.

I've tried using port forwarding in the days of using BT Hubs and found that by leaving UPnP to do it's job, it did it far better than me Wink (more so when multiple devices needed the same port opening).

 

MrSilver
Pro
Posts: 550
Thanks: 82
Fixes: 9
Registered: ‎05-10-2016

Re: Intermittent drop outs

Im still pretty sure its the upload bug, worth at least posting in that other thread to see if you can get the fix tested on your line too.

Hub going orange, green then blue sounds like its re-connecting which is exactly what others are seeing int he above thread too.

Can you paste the whole WAN log (attach at file) as the bits before the Starting CHAP is the useful bit to see why it disconnected first.

 

The wifi only disconnect could be a red herring as you say, as the lan devices could have buffered what they were doing and so appear connected. When you say wifi devies appear to be disconnected are they losing data to the internet or actually dropping off the wifi network?