Full Fibre 300 - slow download speeds. Am I missing something?

[#1]

Thanks all.

I rebooted works laptop, and did NOT log into the work VPN then ran Ookla speedtest (WiFi only). Still shows AMAZON, but a good speed..... 

[#2]

I'm wondering if the works VPN is 'hard-coded' or locked in, somewhere?

[#3]

And WhatIsMyIPAddress.com shows me as being in London and not Manchester, again NO work VPN connected and on WiFi (as OH is in the house so can't test using Ethernet cable and disabling laptop WiFi).

I think I'll give up using the laptop as it's confusing me and throwing a spanner into the works. 

Will try using my desktop PC via a l-o-n-g ethernet cable from bedroom down to Hub 2 in the hall later. My head is spinning and can't believe works laptop seems to be on VPN despite me not connecting on boot up 😞

I guess there's no point in me turning power off to ONT then Hub 2 and leaving it off for 5 minutes, then power up ONT and then Hub 2 5 minutes later.

Thanks for the continued advice / help.

[#4]

That screenshot shows you ISP as Cisco - which  I suspect is the VPN software - so you are still routing through that!

[#5]

Last one for now, as we seem to now know the CISCO answer - so definitely NOT using my work laptop for any future speedtests.

https://cardenitservices.co.uk/what-is-cisco-umbrella-and-how-does-it-work/

This is turning into Resident Evil territory now! 

[#6]

Just to confirm, what does whatsmyip say if you use your desktop?

[#7]

@andyt1970 

Ignoring the "cisco secure client umbrella" running the speedtest with the VPN not running suggests you are getting the expected speed for your broadband profile.

Edit: I would expect some overhead for the umbrella  service

@MisterW 

any other suggestions?

Edit: The desk top test with the extended trip hazard will hopefully prove all is well with the broadband.

[#8]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the comments.

Going out now, but this was Ookla speedtest on my NOKIA C21+ basic mobile (only 2.4Ghz), but at least it shows Plusnet!

Will try and do the PC > ethernet cable > Hub 2 test method later, but if I get caught I might end up with the darn lead wrapped around my neck....

[#9]

@Dan_the_Van 

Ignoring the "cisco secure client umbrella" running the speedtest with the VPN not running suggests you are getting the expected speed for your broadband profile.

Edit: I would expect some overhead for the umbrella  service

@MisterW 

any other suggestions?

No, that sounds about right.

@andyt1970 

Re: the last speed test , around 50Mb sounds right for a 2.4Ghz Wifi connection. 

[#10]

Final post of today, tests done on upstairs desktop PC connected via WiFi, not going to be able to test using Ethernet cable connection today as OH is in a right bad mood and screaming "You're paying for 300Mbs download, yet you don't get that so *YOU* get on the phone to Plusnet and get it sorted".... jeez 🙄

Here's the speedtest results (Ookla, FAST, Virgin Media and Think Broadband) and some Device Manager print screens. Looks like I need a new PCI-E card that will at least let me connect this desktop PC to faster 5Ghz. 

Forget the works laptop, that's fine.

Thank you all.

[#11]

@andyt1970 

Hope the climate is better today.

For 2.4GHz with a 20 MHz bandwidth signal the maximum speed would be up to 72Mbps, this would be with a strong signal. So depending on distance from the Hub the signal strength reduces along with the speed.

Other than not getting the full speed on this desktop PC is it actually causing you a problem?

It is not unusual for VPN connections not to receive the full speed due to network overheads for the VPN connection, again is the drop in speed causing you an issue.

Edit: For VPN speeds the performance of the server being connected to needs to be considered as well.

[#12]

Morning all, OH has gone out briefly with our son so dashed upstairs and desktop now connected via Ethernet cable with long lead and Wi-Fi turned off on PC.

Results are fantastic (better than I expected).

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So, everything is fine. Just my old mobile that can only connect at slower 2.4Ghz and this desktop PC when NOT connected via Ethernet cable. So now, can anyone recommend a replacement PCI-E card so I can get 5Ghz on this desktop wirelessly (anything is better than the average 50Mbps I currently get), or is it worth a USB -WiFi dongle, but I hear they can be temperamental and keep cutting out.

Yes, I understand now Wi-Fi will always be slower but looking at those results, crying shame I can't connect this PC via ethernet, but it's a definite no no. Who wants 50Mbps when I could have near 300Mbps! It's six times faster. Anyway, not my house so Ethernet cabling is out of the equation ☹️

Thanks for all the comments and help / suggestions.

[#13]

I also tried turning off the ONT power then Hub 2 power. Left it 5 minutes, powered on ONT then Hub 2 power 5 minutes later, while doing that noticed the short ethernet cable from the ONT to the Hub 2 is Cat 7. Is that okay to have?

Anyway, like I said, can anyone now please recommend a newer better PCI-E card, or USB WiFi stick? Google seems to suggest you must plug a USB WiFi stick into a USB 3.0 port, and I believe there is one on the back of this PC, but then again OH might notice it so better stick to an internal PCI-E card in a straightforward swap! Not bothered by Bluetooth (that some have built in) as already have a mini USB dongle for that, so wouldn't need to faff connecting any provided cable from the card to a slot on the motherboard.

Thanks

[#14]

I'm using an inexpensive USB Wi-Fi dongle perfectly satisfactorily on 5GHz to the PN Hub 2 router. But bear in mind I am on a 150 Mbps contract and the router is only the other side of the room. If you choose one with the right specifications and performance they seem to me to work perfectly reliably. The USB 3 recommendation is simply to ensure they are being used on the highest speed USB input device.

The one I am using is a TP-Link Archer T3U, AC13000 Mini Wireless, MU-MIMO USB Adaptor - specs: 867 Mbps on 5 GHz, 400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz*. Quite possibly obsolescent by now (driver comes on a CD), so I'm not 'recommending', but there are many available online to choose from.

* I have seen a near 867 Mbps 5 GHz link connection listed once in my router event log, but typically about 600-700 Mbps. At 2.4 GHz things are a little more 'complicated' than implied by the simple 400 Mbps specification.

[#15]

£13.99 seems a tempting bargain, thanks. Some reviews say it disconnects but overall top reviews.

.https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9397525

Can't find any PCI-E cards for similar price with equally good reviews as the above stick.

Will keep looking, thanks.