Some of this may be suitable for the FAQ I think...
Firstly, if you are wanting to keep tabs on your router and see what it's up to, take a look at the router monitor software here:
http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~vwlo...rnet/files.htm
As for SkyBB and some of the issues people are seeing, the following covers my experience and findings so far.
I am on the Connect package, so this may only be relevant to that service.
When you first connect, you get a 10 day training period at the exchange where basically the router and exchange have a 10 day long conversation during which time they agree what your line is capable of. During this time, your connection will NOT be reliable in the least. It's also recommended that during this time you force a reconnection daily (I've been using the router reboot option).
Also, as well as the sync speed and noise margin, there is another factor at play here (almost the reason for me canning SkyBB). The exchange has an IP speed setting which adjusts itself automatically. This IP speed is around .5mbs less than your sync speed.
If it sees you at a slower rate for 75mins without disconnection, it will drop your allowed IP rate, if it sees you at a higher speed for 3 days without disconnection, it will increase you to the new rate.
Now spot the problem here?
During the 10 day period, you are encouraged to reset the connection daily so you will never be connected for 3 days solid, yet if it sees you at a slower rate for 75mins, your speed will be reduced. In short, during the 10 day period, if you are following the recommendation and resetting, the only way for your IP speed to go is down.
At the moment, my sync speed is about 4mbs, but due to me trying different things and being sync'd at around 2mbs for a couple of hours one night, my IP rate is currently 1.5mbs.
You can see your sync speed by visiting the BT checker, but as you require your Sky username and the extraction of which is beyond this sites T's and C's I'm not going into that
Without this knowledge, I would be blaming Sky for a poor service and it's not their fault.
So, a sensible way to look at a new connection would be as follows:
Day 1
Activation
Install the router monitor software so you can easily see what's happening with your connection.
Days 1 - 10
Reboot router daily
Forget about stability, transfer speeds, latency
Days 11 - 13
Don't reboot router so your exchange IP speed can adjust to its fullest
Day 14
Carry out speed tests
Enjoy your connection
Of course, one main issue someone should really raise with Sky is that their 8 day cancellation period is inapropriate, you can't really guage your account properly until around day 14.
I hope this information helps you the way it's helped me and prevented me from going through the hassle of cancelling what could end up being a truly great service.
