Site Totals

61166 Questions Answered 262 Categories

Intermittent DSL Service

My Verizon DSL 1.0 Mbps service is intermittent. Before phoning customer service I thought I would see what help I can get on this forum.

My System

Westell 6100F [ Modem / Router ] (model: F90-610015-06 rev H)

NETGEAR FA 311v2 PCI [ethernet adapter]

Windows XP SP3

I have noticed many complaints on this forum associating slow or intermittent connections with precipitation. MY problems started as the summer thunderstorms started here in Florida, although the problems can occur on days without any local precipitation.

I have included a Westell diagnostic log that seem to be recording my connection problems.
============

The following diagnostic log file was copied from my Westell yesterday.

Diagnostic Log
Date: June 23, 2009
Time: 19:6:49

All Entries

CURRENT MODEM STATUS

DSL Modem Status....... Up

PPP Session Status...... n/a

Connection Type......... Routed Bridge

Time set from............. Daylight Savings

Time since last boot.... 0 days, 0 hrs: 39 mins: 33 secs

EVENTS
**********************************************************************
Events are listed starting from the most recent.
**********************************************************************
TUE JUN 23 19:05:50 2009
CWMP: Final Http Return Code = 401

TUE JUN 23 19:05:50 2009
CWMP: Inform (401). The following events are true: 1 BOOT, 4 VALUE CHANGE

TUE JUN 23 19:05:50 2009
CWMP: TCP Connected, SSL Connection Succeeded, Auth Type = Basic

TUE JUN 23 19:05:19 2009
CWMP: Inform (401). The following events are true: 1 BOOT, 4 VALUE CHANGE

TUE JUN 23 19:05:19 2009
CWMP: TCP Connected, SSL Connection Succeeded, Auth Type = Basic

TUE JUN 23 19:04:20 2009
US Atten: 31.5 DS Atten: 54.5

TUE JUN 23 19:04:20 2009
US Margin: 17.0 DS Margin: 6.0

TUE JUN 23 19:04:20 2009
US Tx Power: 11.9 DS Tx Power: 14.1

TUE JUN 23 19:04:20 2009
US DSL Rate: 448 kbits/sec DS DSL Rate: 608 kbits/sec

TUE JUN 23 19:04:20 2009
WanMgr reports DSL is UP

TUE JUN 23 19:03:57 2009
WanMgr reports DSL is Down

TUE JUN 23 19:03:54 2009
US Atten: 31.5 DS Atten: 54.5

TUE JUN 23 19:03:54 2009
US Margin: 16.0 DS Margin: 6.0

TUE JUN 23 19:03:54 2009
US Tx Power: 11.8 DS Tx Power: 14.5

TUE JUN 23 19:03:54 2009
US DSL Rate: 448 kbits/sec DS DSL Rate: 768 kbits/sec

TUE JUN 23 19:03:54 2009
WanMgr reports DSL is UP

TUE JUN 23 19:03:34 2009
WanMgr reports DSL is Down

TUE JUN 23 19:02:59 2009
CWMP: Final Http Return Code = 0

TUE JUN 23 19:02:59 2009
CWMP: Inform (0). The following events are true: 1 BOOT, 4 VALUE CHANGE

TUE JUN 23 19:02:59 2009
CWMP: TCP Connected, SSL Connection Succeeded, Auth Type = None

TUE JUN 23 19:02:48 2009
US Atten: 31.5 DS Atten: 55.0

TUE JUN 23 19:02:48 2009
US Margin: 17.0 DS Margin: 6.0

TUE JUN 23 19:02:48 2009
US Tx Power: 11.9 DS Tx Power: 14.1

TUE JUN 23 19:02:48 2009
US DSL Rate: 448 kbits/sec DS DSL Rate: 608 kbits/sec

TUE JUN 23 19:02:48 2009
WanMgr reports DSL is UP

TUE JUN 23 19:02:26 2009
WanMgr reports DSL is Down

TUE JUN 23 19:02:21 2009
US Atten: 31.5 DS Atten: 54.5

TUE JUN 23 19:02:21 2009
US Margin: 16.0 DS Margin: 1.0

TUE JUN 23 19:02:21 2009
US Tx Power: 11.9 DS Tx Power: 14.2

TUE JUN 23 19:02:21 2009
US DSL Rate: 448 kbits/sec DS DSL Rate: 672 kbits/sec

TUE JUN 23 19:02:21 2009
WanMgr reports DSL is UP

TUE JUN 23 19:02:21 2009
WanMgr reports DSL is Down

TUE JUN 23 19:01:22 2009
US Atten: 31.5 DS Atten: 54.5

TUE JUN 23 19:01:22 2009
US Margin: 16.0 DS Margin: 6.0

TUE JUN 23 19:01:22 2009
US Tx Power: 11.9 DS Tx Power: 14.2

TUE JUN 23 19:01:22 2009
US DSL Rate: 448 kbits/sec DS DSL Rate: 672 kbits/sec

TUE JUN 23 19:01:22 2009
WanMgr reports DSL is UP

TUE JUN 23 19:01:02 2009
WanMgr reports DSL is Down

TUE JUN 23 19:00:44 2009
CWMP: Final Http Return Code = 401

TUE JUN 23 19:00:44 2009
CWMP: Inform (401). The following events are true: 1 BOOT, 4 VALUE CHANGE

TUE JUN 23 19:00:44 2009
CWMP: TCP Connected, SSL Connection Succeeded, Auth Type = Basic

TUE JUN 23 19:00:42 2009
US Atten: 31.5 DS Atten: 54.5

TUE JUN 23 19:00:42 2009
US Margin: 17.0 DS Margin: 6.0

TUE JUN 23 19:00:42 2009
US Tx Power: 11.9 DS Tx Power: 14.4

END TXT FILE

-------------------------

JackGuy

Comments

westom

@JackGuy wrote:
My Verizon DSL 1.0 Mbps service is intermittent. Before phoning customer service I thought I would see what help I can get on this forum.

You assumption is problems on the Verizon side of the modem. Unacceptable data rate numbers from the diagnostic log confirm a problem exists on that side.

Three useful tools provide other numbers to identify what and where the problem lies. Signal strength (on another modem status page) in dB, Ping, and Traceroute. How to use them, what numbers are most important here, and what those numbers say are described in “Verizon DSL Connection Problems” originally posted by lorddonk.

Before going ‘into the ring’ with Verizon, first establish that problem is only in their wires; not in yours. For example, any other wire in the building could cause your problem. Simply connect the DSL modem directly to the NID or whatever you have for an interface between Verizon’s wires and yours with no other telephone wire connected. Do you symptoms (diagnostic log or those other tools) still report failure? If yes, the problem is 100% Verizon.

This is why I usually wire (or change) a DSL installation so that all other wires meet the DSL connection only at the service entrance. And so that all other wires are ‘filtered’ at the service entrance. A temporary disconnection of that filter means all other phone lines inside the house do not work while DSL works uninterrupted. That filter relocated (inside the building) so that any other wire that might ‘eat’ DSL signals does not see DSL signals.

JackGuy

Thanks for the help. My connection has not dropped out today (yet) but connection speed has been very variable - from 500 to 950 kbps.

At the present time my ping and tracer routes have good numbers, but my data rates and db are low.

Transceiver Information Downstream Path Upstream Path
DSL Speed (Kbits/Sec) 640 448
Margin (dB) 9.5 16.0
Line Attenuation (dB) 54.5 31.5
Transmit Power (dBm) 13.5 11.8

-----------

I don't understand the second part of your message! Are you talking about my telephone wall jack? Do you want me to remove the filter from my telephone?

westom

@JackGuy wrote:
Transceiver Information Downstream Path Upstream Path
DSL Speed (Kbits/Sec) 640 448
Margin (dB) 9.5 16.0
Line Attenuation (dB) 54.5 31.5
Transmit Power (dBm) 13.5 11.8
-----------

I cringe when I see your numbers. Your problem is obvious to anyone with basic knowledge – and often the kind of problem that causes a Verizon customer service rep to not roll a truck. These guys have no idea what dB means. And will do anything to avoid a truck roll. Routinely make problems like yours more difficult. Get the lineman and solutions start happening immediately - because their supervisor is not a business school graduate.

Last time I saw your numbers, the wire was connected to a block inside the CO. But the lineman found copper inside that wire was cracked. Wire was acting like a capacitor - not a conductor. Therefore connection (and dBs) would change with humidity and vibration.

When DSL service is lost (according to front panel indicator lights), dBs typically drop significantly below 10. Your dBs should be 16 or higher. If not, you still have a major failure – even if data is transferring.

DSL filter: anything can eat DSL signals. So we block DSL signals from anything that might eat those signals. All POTS devices eat DSL. But a stray nail inside the walls can also cause a phone wire to eat DSL signals.

So we install filters – so that DSL signals will not pass through and get eaten. If that filter is near a POTS device (your phone, answering machine, etc), then that POTS device does not eat signals. But if that filter is down in the basement where your wires meet Verizon’s, then your wires also will not eat DSL signals.

Eaten DSL signals mean lower dB numbers. Anything you do to protect DSL radio waves from being eaten means higher dB numbers. Anything you do to make it obvious that your wires and POTS devices are not causing problems means the lineman solves problems faster and the first time.

Diagnostic test means all wires are disconnected from Verizon’s wires. And your DSL modem is directly connected to Verizon's wire. If dB numbers remain low, the problem is only on Verizon equipment – not inside your walls. This paragraph describes a test.

If that filter is located closer to Verizon’s wires, then less items inside you house can eat DSL radio waves. This paragraph defines better household wiring.

Message Edited by westom on 06-25-2009 03:03 PM

JackGuy

I only have one phone jack except for the phone companies test jack on the exterior of the building. Are you suggesting I connect to that? It would be a way to bypass the interior wiring for test purposes, but I don't have a long enough Ethernet cable. I may leave that test for the professionals. I have indoor wire maintenance anyway.

I had 3 months of flawless service prior to my current problems and I doubt that my indoor wiring has changed.

roadsession

I am experiencing intermittent DSL drop out as well.

Just replaced the DSL modem but same symptoms.

Here are my numbers from the DSL modem:

VPI: 0

VCI: 35

DSL Mode Setting: Auto

DSL Negotiated Mode: G.DMT

Connection Status Showtime

Speed (down/up) 3360/832 kbps

ATM QoS class: UBR

output Power (Down/up) 11.9/14.4 dBm

Attainable Rate (down / up) 7104/948 Kbps

HEC Errors 0/0

OCD Errors 0/0

LCD Errors 0/0

SNR Margin (Down/up) 17.1/10.0 dB

Attenuation (Down/up) 44.0/24.0 db

What do you think / make of this connection?

Thanks

JackGuy

All four Techs said yes on some meter or other. Electrical interferrence on my in house wiring was the most popular original guess. My problem is being managed on the Verizon Direct forum so, I am not really interested in going into great detail here also. Thanks for your interest however.

I was just interested in comparing notes with someone else who was experiencing DSL drop-outs, but the roadsession person has not responded to my reply.

Child Item