Issues with Charter

darlin · Post by **darlin** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:47 pm

Hi,

I am with Charter/5mb package, and I have been having slow speeds since the last outage in our area/bad node. Actually, I started having issues when they changed backbones providers from wvfibers to Level 3 Communications.

I have sent test after test, and nothing is resolved. Today I talked with yet another supervisor, and he had me ping my on IP. The results are as follows:

Reply from xx.xxx.xxx.xx: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Reply from xx.xxx.xxx.xx: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Reply from xx.xxx.xxx.xx: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Reply from xx.xxx.xxx.xx: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for xx.xxx.xxx.xx:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

The tech said that it should show all 1 ms's instead of <10ms.

My average is about 1 mbps, however the upload speed is fine.

I have another computer, and the connect speeds are are the same on it.

Before this happened, and before they switched to Level 3, I was getting 4.78 mbps.

Here is a general tracert:

Tracing route to excite.com [208.45.133.23]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 13 ms 9 ms 17 ms 10.139.0.1
2 68 ms 85 ms 62 ms 172.26.97.145
3 23 ms 21 ms 24 ms atlnga1wcx1-pos4-0.wcg.net [64.200.231.245]
4 45 ms 45 ms 44 ms drvlga1wcx2-pos6-0-oc48.wcg.net [64.200.127.97]

5 69 ms 77 ms 106 ms hrndva1wcx3-pos14-0-oc192.wcg.net [64.200.210.23
8]
6 60 ms 51 ms 41 ms 64.200.249.158
7 70 ms 59 ms 56 ms te-7-3.car4.Washington1.Level3.net [4.68.110.1]

8 31 ms 36 ms 40 ms ae-13-55.car3.Washington1.Level3.net [4.68.121.1
44]
9 29 ms 39 ms 40 ms qwest-level3-te.Washington.Level3.net [4.68.110.
178]
10 45 ms 47 ms 31 ms dcx-core-01.inet.qwest.net [205.171.251.33]
11 36 ms 53 ms 35 ms ewr-core-01.inet.qwest.net [67.14.7.10]
12 48 ms 64 ms 68 ms ewr-cntr-01.inet.qwest.net [205.171.17.146]
13 290 ms 371 ms 372 ms 63.146.100.2
14 86 ms 95 ms 90 ms 208.47.215.67
15 156 ms 182 ms 187 ms excite.com [208.45.133.23]

_________________________________________________________________

1 11 ms 7 ms 16 ms 10.139.0.1
2 18 ms 16 ms 29 ms 172.26.97.145
3 33 ms 31 ms 18 ms atlnga1wcx1-pos4-0.wcg.net [64.200.231.245]
4 45 ms 25 ms 35 ms drvlga1wcx2-pos6-0-oc48.wcg.net [64.200.127.97]

5 31 ms 33 ms 34 ms hrndva1wcx3-pos14-0-oc192.wcg.net [64.200.210.23
8]
6 28 ms 32 ms 35 ms 64.200.249.158
7 35 ms 40 ms 36 ms te-7-3.car4.Washington1.Level3.net [4.68.110.1]

8 * * 57 ms ae-32-56.ebr2.Washington1.Level3.net [4.68.121.1
90]
9 62 ms * * ae-1-100.ebr1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.69.132.2
9]
10 * * 100 ms ae-2.ebr1.Atlanta2.Level3.net [4.69.132.85]
11 140 ms 132 ms * ae-3.ebr1.Dallas1.Level3.net [4.69.132.81]
12 82 ms 49 ms 59 ms ae-14-51.car4.Dallas1.Level3.net [4.68.122.16]
13 67 ms 65 ms 60 ms THE-PLANET.car4.Dallas1.Level3.net [4.71.122.2]

14 86 ms 85 ms 74 ms te7-2.dsr01.dllstx3.theplanet.com [70.87.253.10]

15 77 ms 79 ms 80 ms vl42.dsr02.dllstx4.theplanet.com [70.85.127.91]

16 63 ms 67 ms 60 ms gi1-0-2.car17.dllstx4.theplanet.com [67.18.116.8
5]
17 54 ms 55 ms 69 ms testmy.net [67.18.179.85]

Trace complete.

Does this seem like a Charter/Level 3 issue or an issue on my end?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:03 am

Whats your signal power levels?

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 11:57 am

YARDofSTUF wrote:Whats your signal power levels?

yes what are the levels.. seems that the nod fix may have hampered the amp power at the pole to you.

darlin · Post by **darlin** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:55 pm

Hello Guys,

Thanks for the input. Charter came out yesterday and brought their laptop with them. I asked them to use my modem for testing, which they did, and they got 4.7 mbps.

Note - that the computer I am using has Windows 98 SE. I also have a PC with Windows ME, and I get the same low speed, around 1mbps. I do not have any spyware, malware, adware or viruses. I reformatted the 98 machine, and still get the slow speeds.

I brought a laptop over from a friends house with XP, and it got 4.7 mbps. I brought his desktop tower over, which has XP installed, and it got 4.4 mbps.

We then brought over a freshly formatted 98 SE system, and it got around 1000 kbps - same as mine.

Another friend in the area brought his laptop over, which has ME, and it only got 1.3 mbs.

I took my tower over to his house to test, since he has a 6 meg DSL package, and I received 5.78 mbps.

This is very strange. Before, I was getting around 4.80 with Charter.

This is a puzzle that I can't piece together. If anyone has any suggestions, I am all ears, and I would very much appreciate any and all suggestions.

Thanks.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:17 pm

Do the TCP analyzer test and share the results.

darlin · Post by **darlin** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:29 pm

Hello YOS,

Thanks for your help.

I wasn't sure which part to paste, so I pasted both:

Code: Select all

SpeedGuide.net TCP/IP Analyzer


TCP properties for IP = 24.240.19.79 (24.240.19.79)
Browser/OS = Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98)
Notes: Read the Analyzer FAQ if the above is not your IP address. 

TCP options string = 020405b401010402
 
MTU = 1500
MTU is fully optimized for broadband.
 
MSS = 1460
Maximum useful data in each packet = 1460, which equals MSS.
 
Default TCP Receive Window (RWIN) = 8760 
RWIN Scaling (RFC1323) = 0 bits 
Unscaled TCP Receive Window = 8760 

RWIN seems to be set to a very small number. If you're on a broadband connection, consider using a larger value.
RWIN is a multiple of MSS
Other RWIN values that might work well with your current MTU/MSS: 
513920 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 8)
256960 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 4)
128480 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 2)
 64240 (MSS x 44)
 
bandwidth * delay product (Note this is not a speed test):

Your TCP Window limits you to: 350 kbps (44 KBytes/s) @ 200ms
Your TCP Window limits you to: 140 kbps (18 KBytes/s) @ 500ms
Consider increasing your RWIN value to optimize TCP/IP for broadband.
 
MTU Discovery (RFC1191) = ON
 
Time to live left = 118 hops
TTL value is ok.
 
Timestamps (RFC1323) = OFF 
Selective Acknowledgements (RFC2018) = ON
 
IP type of service field (RFC1349) = 00000000 (0)

Code: Select all

« SpeedGuide.net TCP Analyzer Results » 
Tested on: 12.29.2006 17:20 
IP address: 24.240.xx.xx 
 
TCP options string: 020405b401010402 
MSS: 1460 
MTU: 1500 
TCP Window: 8760 (multiple of MSS) 
RWIN Scaling: 0 
Unscaled RWIN : 8760 
Reccomended RWINs: 64240, 128480, 256960, 513920 
BDP limit (200ms): 350kbps (44KBytes/s)
BDP limit (500ms): 140kbps (18KBytes/s) 
MTU Discovery: ON 
TTL: 118 
Timestamps: OFF 
SACKs: ON 
IP ToS: 00000000 (0)

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:30 pm

Take your RWIN to 513920

reboot and retest

darlin · Post by **darlin** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:45 pm

Sava700 wrote:Take your RWIN to 513920

reboot and retest

Thanks Sava. Where do I make this change at?

darlin · Post by **darlin** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:41 pm

Ok, I changed the RWIN to what you suggested, and thus far the best results are at 128480. However, when I ran the test again it's showing that's not what I have, but I checked the reg., and it's there.

Here are the new results:

Code: Select all

TCP options string = 020405b401010402
 
MTU = 1500
MTU is fully optimized for broadband.
 
MSS = 1460
Maximum useful data in each packet = 1460, which equals MSS.
 
Default TCP Receive Window (RWIN) = 65535 
RWIN Scaling (RFC1323) = 0 bits 
Unscaled TCP Receive Window = 65535 

Note: TCP 1323 Options need to be enabled for RWIN over 2^16 (65535). Windows 9x might also need the MS Vtcp386 fix.
For optimum performance, consider changing RWIN to a multiple of MSS.
Other RWIN values that might work well with your current MTU/MSS: 
513920 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 8)
256960 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 4)
128480 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 2)
 64240 (MSS x 44)
 
bandwidth * delay product (Note this is not a speed test):

Your TCP Window limits you to: 2621 kbps (328 KBytes/s) @ 200ms
Your TCP Window limits you to: 1049 kbps (131 KBytes/s) @ 500ms
 
MTU Discovery (RFC1191) = ON
 
Time to live left = 118 hops
TTL value is ok.
 
Timestamps (RFC1323) = OFF 
Selective Acknowledgements (RFC2018) = ON
 
IP type of service field (RFC1349) = 00000000 (0)

Code: Select all

« SpeedGuide.net TCP Analyzer Results » 
Tested on: 12.29.2006 22:34 
IP address: 24.240.xx.xx 
 
TCP options string: 020405b401010402 
MSS: 1460 
MTU: 1500 
TCP Window: 65535 (NOT multiple of MSS) 
RWIN Scaling: 0 
Unscaled RWIN : 65535 
Reccomended RWINs: 64240, 128480, 256960, 513920 
BDP limit (200ms): 2621kbps (328KBytes/s)
BDP limit (500ms): 1049kbps (131KBytes/s) 
MTU Discovery: ON 
TTL: 118 
Timestamps: OFF 
SACKs: ON 
IP ToS: 00000000 (0)

.

I did a speed test, and there was a world of difference. Pages seem to open a little slow, but the connect speed is about 4.67 mbps now. I don't understand why the test is telling me the following:

"Default TCP Receive Window (RWIN) = 65535
RWIN Scaling (RFC1323) = 0 bits
Unscaled TCP Receive Window = 65535

Note: TCP 1323 Options need to be enabled for RWIN over 2^16 (65535). ".

I have TCP 1323 entered in the reg. at a value of 0, and the RWIN is set at 128480.

Any ideas?

darlin · Post by **darlin** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:47 pm

Just a side note - I'm not getting but around 80 KBs/sec D/L. ):

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 6:34 am

Turn on windows scaling, i dunno the reguistry sections for it but the TCP omtimizer will do it, it'll be on the right side of the first screen, click custom settings on the bottom right first, you can turn windows scaling on and put in the RWIN you want right there and reboot.

darlin · Post by **darlin** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 11:14 am

Thanks YOS,

Lastnight, I downloaded the file - "sguide_tweak_9x.zip" and installed it. Do I still need to run the "TCP omtimizer "? Heres the results now:

Code: Select all

TCP options string = 020405b401010402
 
MTU = 1500
MTU is fully optimized for broadband.
 
MSS = 1460
Maximum useful data in each packet = 1460, which equals MSS.
 
Default TCP Receive Window (RWIN) = 65535 
RWIN Scaling (RFC1323) = 0 bits 
Unscaled TCP Receive Window = 65535 

Note: TCP 1323 Options need to be enabled for RWIN over 2^16 (65535). Windows 9x might also need the MS Vtcp386 fix.
For optimum performance, consider changing RWIN to a multiple of MSS.
Other RWIN values that might work well with your current MTU/MSS: 
513920 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 8)
256960 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 4)
128480 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 2)
 64240 (MSS x 44)
 
bandwidth * delay product (Note this is not a speed test):

Your TCP Window limits you to: 2621 kbps (328 KBytes/s) @ 200ms
Your TCP Window limits you to: 1049 kbps (131 KBytes/s) @ 500ms
 
MTU Discovery (RFC1191) = ON
 
Time to live left = 54 hops
TTL value is ok.
 
Timestamps (RFC1323) = OFF 
Selective Acknowledgements (RFC2018) = ON
 
IP type of service field (RFC1349) = 00000000 (0)

Code: Select all

« SpeedGuide.net TCP Analyzer Results » 
Tested on: 12.30.2006 11:12 
IP address: 24.240.xx.xx 
 
TCP options string: 020405b401010402 
MSS: 1460 
MTU: 1500 
TCP Window: 65535 (NOT multiple of MSS) 
RWIN Scaling: 0 
Unscaled RWIN : 65535 
Reccomended RWINs: 64240, 128480, 256960, 513920 
BDP limit (200ms): 2621kbps (328KBytes/s)
BDP limit (500ms): 1049kbps (131KBytes/s) 
MTU Discovery: ON 
TTL: 54 
Timestamps: OFF 
SACKs: ON 
IP ToS: 00000000 (0)

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 1:17 pm

If your speeds are fine now then I wouldnt worry about it.

darlin · Post by **darlin** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:38 pm

YARDofSTUF wrote:Turn on windows scaling, i dunno the reguistry sections for it but the TCP omtimizer will do it, it'll be on the right side of the first screen, click custom settings on the bottom right first, you can turn windows scaling on and put in the RWIN you want right there and reboot.

Using Windows 98SE, will I first need to install "MS Vtcp386 fix" before I proceed with "TCP omtimizer "?

I appreciate the help very much.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:02 pm

THeres no mention of needing it so I would say it should work fine as is.

darlin · Post by **darlin** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:18 pm

YARDofSTUF wrote:THeres no mention of needing it so I would say it should work fine as is.

Thanks YOS.

I had to install the patch first. I have RWIN set to 513920. I get very close to 5 mbps now on a speed test. Webpages are a little slow to load, and it takes a few seconds before it actual locates the server the site is on.

I'm not sure what to do to correct that issue. Any ideas?

Code: Select all

TCP options string = 020405b40103030301010402
 
MTU = 1500
MTU is fully optimized for broadband.
 
MSS = 1460
Maximum useful data in each packet = 1460, which equals MSS.
 
Default TCP Receive Window (RWIN) = 513920 
RWIN Scaling (RFC1323) = 3 bits (scale factor of 6)
Unscaled TCP Receive Window = 64240 

RWIN is a multiple of MSS
Other RWIN values that might work well with your current MTU/MSS: 
513920 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 8) <-- current value
256960 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 4)
128480 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 2)
 64240 (MSS x 44)
 
bandwidth * delay product (Note this is not a speed test):

Your TCP Window limits you to: 20557 kbps (2570 KBytes/s) @ 200ms
Your TCP Window limits you to: 8223 kbps (1028 KBytes/s) @ 500ms
 
MTU Discovery (RFC1191) = ON
 
Time to live left = 54 hops
TTL value is ok.
 
Timestamps (RFC1323) = OFF 
Selective Acknowledgements (RFC2018) = ON
 
IP type of service field (RFC1349) = 00000000 (0)

Code: Select all

« SpeedGuide.net TCP Analyzer Results » 
Tested on: 12.30.2006 19:18 
IP address: 24.240.xx.xx 
 
TCP options string: 020405b40103030301010402 
MSS: 1460 
MTU: 1500 
TCP Window: 513920 (multiple of MSS) 
RWIN Scaling: 3 
Unscaled RWIN : 64240 
Reccomended RWINs: 64240, 128480, 256960, 513920 
BDP limit (200ms): 20557kbps (2570KBytes/s)
BDP limit (500ms): 8223kbps (1028KBytes/s) 
MTU Discovery: ON 
TTL: 54 
Timestamps: OFF 
SACKs: ON 
IP ToS: 00000000 (0)

CableDude · Post by **CableDude** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:35 pm

Do you have the most recent drivers for your network card?

darlin · Post by **darlin** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:20 pm

CableDude wrote:Do you have the most recent drivers for your network card?

Probably not. I've had the NIC card for about 3 years, and I've never updated the driver.

It's a Linksys LNE100TX.

I wonder, too, if the "sg_webtweak_9x.zip" patch may help? Also, I notied that my sound card is on the same IRQ, 3, as the network card. I don't know if this would have anything to do with it.

CableDude · Post by **CableDude** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:09 pm

darlin wrote: I notied that my sound card is on the same IRQ, 3, as the network card. I don't know if this would have anything to do with it.

I could be wrong, but I don't think that's a problem. Does everything look good in device manager?

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:12 pm

darlin wrote:Probably not. I've had the NIC card for about 3 years, and I've never updated the driver.

It's a Linksys LNE100TX.

I wonder, too, if the "sg_webtweak_9x.zip" patch may help? Also, I notied that my sound card is on the same IRQ, 3, as the network card. I don't know if this would have anything to do with it.

you could change the IRQ path.. but yeah it wouldn't hurt to run that webpage patch, clean out your temp files and make sure you have spyware cleaned off and nothing else that might be causing issues with surfing now. Glad the changes helped.

darlin · Post by **darlin** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 4:05 pm

Thanks everyone

I'm gradually getting there. I will install the other patch as well. all is good in device manager. I may need to try different RWIN numbers to get optimal peformance. Any idea which would be the best on 98 SE, using cable internert at 5 megs?

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 4:17 pm

64240, 128480, 256960, 513920

Those are good numbers, the 513k one might be kinda high.

CableDude · Post by **CableDude** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 7:17 pm

I think I used 256960 then 64240 when I had 98.