you don't help yourselves plusnet

[orbrey]

@whistler - as per the link Chris has posted, the dynamic line management system (DLM) based in the exchange works automatically, and as I said a disconnection is a disconnection no matter what the cause. To be fair your profile did jump right back up within 24 hours which is a minor miracle (again that was automatic, there was no intervention from us) - usually this takes a couple of days.

[whistler]

The general tenet here seems to be this: Disconnections, the pattern of which seems to be somewhat of a gray area, may or may not result in BT slowing down a connection. So what happens to modem orientated connections as opposed to router connections?

[jelv]

Why do you think we don't like modems?

[orbrey]

There's no difference between a modem disconnect and a router disconnect - if the connection is terminated, a disconnection is registered. If there's a number of disconnections within a certain time the exchange equipment picks this up as an intermittent drop and lowers the speed of the line to make it more stable and resistant to further disconnections.

[jelv]

Matt,
I think the point of his question is that while routers may be left on all the time, PCs with modems are far more likely to be turned on and off!

[whistler]

Quote from: Matt

There's no difference between a modem disconnect and a router disconnect - if the connection is terminated, a disconnection is registered. If there's a number of disconnections within a certain time the exchange equipment picks this up as an intermittent drop and lowers the speed of the line to make it more stable and resistant to further disconnections.

But this is exactly the point I'm trying (and obviously struggling) to make. From what you've told me in this thread, BT is taking a brute force and ignorance approach. Instead of using any sort of intelligence to determe whether there is actually a problem, they're blindly slowing connections for absolutely no valid reason whatsoever. How many people on this forum who are having slow connection problems ACTUALLY don't have a problem at all other than the one BT have created through crude mis-diagnosis.

[Mand]

You need to connect lots of times within a short period for the DLM to slow your speed massively.
For example, one disconnect a day (turning off your USB modem at night for example) wouldn't mean that your profile gets lowered. Bear in mind that it looks at things like errors on the line, and changes in sync speed as well (if you constantly connect at 8128 for example you can reset more often and not get impacted than if your connection speed fluctuates).

[WarringtonWolf]

I have only just joined plusnet and when I switch off my PC I switch off the router too and switch off the power supply at the socket on the wall. Is this okay or should I be leaving the router switched on 24-7?

[pierre_pierre]

during the initial 10 days, you should leave the router on to get you optimum speed.  after that is you have a good synch, it doesnt hurt to turn it off at night and back on in the morning, but as Mand say above to many times in a day and BT will muck up your speed

[WarringtonWolf]

Okay,thanks very much for the advice. I will leave the router on from now on then,just switching it off at nightime once the initial 10 days has elapsed then.

[whistler]

Quote from: pierre_pierre

during the initial 10 days, you should leave the router on to get you optimum speed.

:o
a quote from http://www.plus.net/support/broadband/speed_guide/dslmax_guide.shtml#Firstdays

Quote

3. The first 10 days During the first 10 days of Max your phone line will be automatically measured to establish what speed it can support, and in particular at what speed the line will remain stable. The test will look to find out the lowest broadband speed you've received during the last 10 days. You'll see your sync speeds vary during this time, and you're likely to get disconnected from time-to-time. Whilst the testing is being carried out you should regularly make new connections to the Internet. It's a good idea to power off/on your modem or router when doing this, as this will force your equipment to reconnect.

[pierre_pierre]

but if you dont have the router switched on for most of the day - as per the question - BT wont have any thing to look at,  Therefor leave it on, but do the momentary disconnect

[shutter]

What that "bold type" paragraph fails to do, is to warn you against "repeatedly" in a "short period of time" (say over 1 hour) re-booting,...... as the equipment will then register many disconnections, and report a faulty line, thereby reducing the speed....
I think that paragraph should be re-written. to give "precise" instructions regarding

Quote

Whilst the testing is being carried out you should regularly make new connections to the Internet

to ensure that regularly and repeatedly are not confused..... :-\

[jelv]

Substitute "daily" for "regularly"?

[whistler]

any more bets ladies and gentlemen?
Anyone reading this thread from the beginning could be forgiven for thinking - to disconnect or not to disconnect - if so for how long - how often - that is the question.
If I do it MAY result in my connection being ultimately faster. But then again it MAY result in it being ultimately slower. It seems to depend on who's advising at any given time, who's interpreting what's going on with the line at any given time, whether they're having a good day or not. Whether there's a R in the month...
BTW - whatever ACTUALLY is the best thing to do - NO-ONE at PN advised me of this when I signed up. By the time I knew that this may or may not be a good or bad idea - my ten days were up. What a horlicks...