New to Sky, advice please on Sync, etc

[nicke1]

Hi,

Sky broadband was activated today and everything pretty much seems to have gone without a hitch. I had issues with an unstable wireless connection initially but everything seems fine now.

When I signed up Sky indicated I would get approx 14mbs. I also checked this on another site (andrew's) by entering my DSL max sync speed and attenuation and noise values - this also returned a max speed for ADSL2 of 14mbs.

My current SKY connection details are:

Connection Speed down : 9205kbps
Attenuation : 36.5
Noise Margin : 6.3db.

After running the TCPOptimizer utility various speed test sites are reporting a download speed of approx 8000kbps and downloading large files it can average 1mb/s.

Is there any reason why my sync speed is lower than was originally indicated? is it because Sky BB has only just been activated? could I get a higher sync given the attenuation and noise values?

Many thanks
Nick

[reddwarfcrew]

use mognuts util (see my sig) and post your full detailed router stats so we can comment properly.

[NewsreadeR]

Without seeing your stats or more info, hard to say.

Have you tried plugging the router into your test socket, behind the master socket?

http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/view.php?pg=master

If you can try that and repost your stats, we can see if the sync speed is higher for you.

[nicke1]

Thanks for the replies.

I don't have a test socket. The BT 'box' I guess is fairly old. I'm connected (with microfilter) to the main socket in the house. There are no extensions running of it.

My stats are below,

/usr/sbin/adslctl: ADSL driver and PHY status
Status: Showtime Channel: FAST, Upstream rate = 764 Kbps, Downstream rate = 9205 Kbps
Link Power State: L0
Mode: ADSL2+
Channel: Fast
Trellis: ON
Line Status: No Defect
Training Status: Showtime
Down Up
SNR (dB): 6.1 12.5
Attn(dB): 36.5 22.7
Pwr(dBm): 1.3 12.4
Max(Kbps): 9372 864
Rate (Kbps): 9205 764
G.dmt framing
K: 245(0) 24
R: 10 16
S: 1 8
D: 64 8
ADSL2 framing
MSGc: 70 68
B: 244 23
M: 1 8
T: 1 1
R: 10 16
S: 0.8482 7.7037
L: 2405 216
D: 64 8
Counters
SF: 557205 557203
SFErr: 586 1
RS: 42347634 4736225
RSCorr: 4801075 0
RSUnCorr: 1784 0

HEC: 363 0
OCD: 0 0
LCD: 0 0
Total Cells: 194967801 16163963
Data Cells: 4172596 478515
Drop Cells: 0
Bit Errors: 0 0

ES: 232 1
SES: 29 0
UAS: 14 36
Total time = 2 hours 30 min 0 sec
SF = 557205
CRC = 586
LOS = 29
LOF = 0
ES = 232
Latest 1 day time = 2 hours 30 min 0 sec
SF = 557205
CRC = 586
LOS = 29
LOF = 0
ES = 232
Latest 15 minutes time = 0 sec
SF = 0
CRC = 0
LOS = 0
LOF = 0
ES = 0
Previous 15 minutes time = 15 min 0 sec
SF = 55832
CRC = 10
LOS = 6
LOF = 0
ES = 9
Previous 1 day time = 0 sec
SF = 0
CRC = 0
LOS = 0
LOF = 0
ES = 0
15 minutes interval [-30 min to -15 min] time = 15 min 0 sec
SF = 55832
CRC = 6
LOS = 2
LOF = 0
ES = 5
15 minutes interval [-45 min to -30 min] time = 15 min 0 sec
SF = 55895
CRC = 8
LOS = 1
LOF = 0
ES = 6
15 minutes interval [-60 min to -45 min] time = 15 min 0 sec
SF = 55832
CRC = 23
LOS = 2
LOF = 0
ES = 17

[dholdi]

Are you sure you dont have a test socket ? It looks like the picture in the post pasted below and is revealed when you remove the front cover. Your noise margin is quite low and there are quite a few errors listed for the short period your stats relate to.
Post back and let us know - someone will help
cheers
dave
http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/cabli...fraid-ask.html

[nicke1]

Hi, yes definately no test socket. It must an old faceplate/wiring

[nicke1]

Hi, could anyone help please with my issue as detailed above?

Essentially I'm trying to determine:

1. if my sync speed, etc. is appropriate given the noise and attenuation

2. if my sync speed seems reasonable if there's anything I can pursue to reduce the noise which would therefore presumably allow the router to negotiate a higher sync.

Given various postings & websites I was expecting a sync of around 14-15mb.

Many thanks
Nick

[Saturday]

Your sync speed is low for your attenuation. On a relatively noise free line you could expect ~13500kbps so it looks like your line is noisy.

Your line is showing a fairly high level of errors.

Your noise margin when you took the stats was 6.1db which will be contributing to the errors.

If you don't have decent wiring, all you can do is replace it - there's no magic cure I'm afraid. The biggest benefit is likely to be from adding a new NTE5 with filtered faceplate next to your old socket. Connect the two then make all connections to the new.

[nicke1]

Thanks for the reply Saturday.

Is there any mileage in having BT investigate, e.g. could the noise be due to a problem at the exchange or is it more likely the wiring inside my old faceplate/box?

Can nearby electrical sources affect noise? I have within a few inches of the BT faceplate (and router connection to socket) a 4 way power adapter connected to lights, etc. May it beneficial trying to relocate this?

Thanks
Nick

[Saturday]

Yes you could contact BT but there is a risk you'll be charged if you call them out and they find no fault within their responsibility. Can you hear any noise on voice calls?

In the large majority of cases noise is local (house phone wiring) rather than remote (line to the exchange). Sometimes it's remote, sometimes it's both.

Local causes are most commonly from extension wiring either hard wired or dodgy plug in ones (e.g. those that Sky "engineers" fit). Sometimes it is old/corroded connections or from equipment such as faulty microfilters, old phones or digiboxes. Things like dimmer switches and cheap energy efficient bulbs can cause problems. Every attached phone device e.g. phone, fax, digibox should have its own microfilter, not shared. Avoid cheap line splitters.

You should avoid anything electrical close to ADSL wiring or equipment. Phone wires should be at least 5cm from power cables. Phone sockets should be as far away as possible from fuse boxes.

HTH