Router issue

[Phatso]

I am cross-posting this on every forum I am on trying to get some light shed on the topic.

PLEASE HELP :(

I have a Billion 800VGT Router running in half-bridged mode. (I have to as 2 PC's at home run through router ISP and I run through another ISP)

This has been happening even before I upgraded my 384line to a 4meg line.
My loses drops / loses sync quite often and seems to happen primarily while I am gaming. Upon closer inspection to the event log below, it seems like it drops even when I am not on though.

(just an extract to give the point)

Apr 28 14:13:25 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is DOWN!
Apr 28 14:13:56 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is UP!
Apr 28 14:31:05 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is DOWN!
Apr 28 14:31:36 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is UP!
Apr 28 15:55:52 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is DOWN!
Apr 28 15:56:23 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is UP!
Apr 28 16:01:48 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is DOWN!
Apr 28 16:02:12 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is UP!
Apr 28 18:48:45 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is DOWN!
Apr 28 18:49:27 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is UP!
Apr 28 20:53:37 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is DOWN!
Apr 28 20:54:18 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is UP!
Apr 28 21:57:59 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is DOWN!
Apr 28 21:58:33 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is UP!
Apr 28 22:08:51 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is DOWN!
Apr 28 22:09:30 home.gateway:turbo_extEvtHandlerProc:none: ADSL line is UP!

No idea what these mean, but I do know that they are generated whenever I lose sync.

I have logged multiple faults, they even fixed some other issue at my exchange. This error still sticks.

Its f*cking annoying to be honest, and I have NO idea what it could be...

Any ideas? :(

[Paul]

I am no techie but could this not be an ISP problem and not a telkom problem?

[Phatso]

Happens with all my ISP's. Webafrica/Telkom/Axxess.

It may also be of value to state that my LA (line attenuation) and SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) are both fine.

[Megageth]

Can only give you an account of my story.
Had a similar problem, line was dropping every now and then and disrupting gaming. Logged a complaint with WebAfrica, they logged a complaint with telkom.
Telkom called 24hrs later and said they wanted to test the line, I told them to go for it. An hr or so later I jumped on and the speed had been throttled but the line drops stopped. Dont remember what speed I ended up with but it was well worth it to be able to play without disruption.

[Phatso]

Shameless bump.

(They tried dropping my line speed already)

[SlipperyDuck]

Dude, you've got so much o problemz - if i had a spare router I'd send you one... but alas.
I've been replying to the thread on the SGS side o life

If I could drive up and sit at your place for the weekend, I'd happily sort all your shit out - seriously - I feel helpless and so want to help

[L3pr3c4un]

Phats I have a spare router you can try & see if it helps.

[NiteShade]

Extract from link:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/archive/index.php/t-186308.html

Firstly, I will like to know which firmware version you are using because that might be the problem! One other thing that you can try is to change your ADSL mode to ADSL 2+.
To change this you can login to the router's GUI with the IP address of the router

1. You have to connect a physical (LAN) cable to the router and to your computer.
2. Open up your web browser and type in your router’s IP address to open the router’s
GUI. The username and password is “admin”.
3. Once you are in the interface of the router click on configuration > WAN >
ADSL>then change the connection mode to ADSL 2+ Auto-fallback and
make sure that the activate line is set to True. You can try that and if you need any
further assistance, please send an email to support@billionsa.com

Or you can get support on the Billion site:
http://www.billionsa.com/support/support.php

The online manual:
http://www.telkom.co.za/products_services/equipment_accessories/modems/billion_800vgt/support/billion800vgt_manual.pdf

[NiteShade]

Info about ADSL Lines:
Here is some information about requesting an LTS line test that was posted previously by Leftfoot.



OK.....as an ex Telkom technician I can tell you the following:

If your DSL modem disconnects (or loses sync) on a regular basis....insist on a line test......in fact insist on the results of that line test (even though it might not make any sense)

Most modern cables in Telkom are PVC but can be influenced by moisture or other systems that carry higher voltages.

The test should reflect:
-absolutely no Earth potential
-no more than 12v contact (foreign -ve)
-also watch out for how many phones are connect to your line at any stage - The more phones, the higher the line capacitance.....the easier it it for your modem to lose sync by not understanding the incomming carrier signal.

I too have a 4meg line and had frequent disconnects at a stage.....insisted on a line test (through the supervisor as the "Kelly personel" operator insisted that because I could browse the net all was Cool)......The test result showed a -38v contact that went to -49v when it rained. note: Audibly I could not hear any problem during normal conversation......somtimes you can here a slight "cross-line" with this type of condition.

A line fault was reported and a spare pair of wires was used to bypass the fault......then the "Kelly personel" chic phoned me back to write the fault off.....once again....insist on the results of a second test....if all is clear then allow them to write the fault off

These people are stats driven.....so its important not to allow them to write the fault off if it is not clear.....you will get higher priority on the system a more people will try to resolve your problem

Incidently.....The testing system (LTS) CANNOT perform a test while you are talking on the line, they have to tell you to put the phone down then ring you back with the results.

Hope this is of help to you guys!


Good chance that if you had a lightning strike on the line that there will be problems elsewhere ie. other lightning protection on phones/faxes etc, poles or the exchange itself degraded. Insulation in cables blown through and perhap touching a tree. "Kelly temps" at Telkom do the line testing most of the time and they ignore some fault conditions. Its a time consuming exercise that they dont like to do on the LTS system. A telkom line test should be no worse that these limits:

Foreign earth - 10M? (line touching the greater mass of the earth through trees, wet soil, nests etc)
Foreign contact or negative (-ve) - <12v (line touching another line through low insulation, dampness, etc.
Line capacitance - more that 8µF on the line indicates too many phones and as such has been known to weaken analogue data signals.

Anything other than this....the line is faulty. I always insist on these results from the "Kelly temp" and if they cant supply it, they have not tested the line. They cannot test the line while you are talking on it, they have to ring you back. If they cant help you with the results immediately, demand to speak to an operator. Do not accept a reference number until the results are given to you.

A standard cable cable pair has:
- an E-SIDE (from Exchange to SDC-Street distribution cabinet
- a V-SIDE (from SDC-Street distribution cabinet) to the terminal equipment

The E-side is usually pressurised to resist water penetration
The V-side is not pressurised an has many connect points and potential problem sources. (trees rubbing through insulation, animals eating insulation, bats urinating and corroding connections...the list goes on)

9 times out of 10 the problem will be on the V-SIDE

In order to change your pair the whole way the tech needs to divert in at least 3 places (the Exchange -MDF, the street box -SDC, and the Local Distribution Point - DP).....can also be as much as ten points if your line in aerial cable fed.

[Megageth]

Awesome find Shadey. If anyone from Telkom EVER applies to this clan, I say we give them immediate VIP membership, even if they turn out to be another "Candidate".
We really need someone on the inside to Pimp our Lines.

[rainynight65]

I recently had a case where my line was constantly disconnecting, then reconnecting but no data went through. Tested 3 modems and 2 ISPs before going to Telkom. They reset the port and ran a line test and said everything was fine, but I still had the same problem. Then it got worse, the modem synced at a lower speed and my landline was off completely. I phoned Telkom 3 times to make sure they did a proper test on the line. What I did notice was that my router (at the time it was a Linksys) showed an outrageously high number in the line stats, downstream margin (a noise value if I am correct). I tried to explain that to the Telkom techs but their first line knows as much about technology as I know about open heart surgery.

Long story short, on the third day after my first call, I picked up the phone and it was working again. I checked my modem and it synced at full speed, no more disconnects. My line has been stable since. I am pretty sure it was a faulty port on the DSLAM or something to that effect. The technicians in my area are good, the obstacle is usually Telkoms hotline.

We also have a DSL reseller facility for our company, and I sometimes do basic diagnostics when a branch reports that they're down. Something I often see as reason for disconnects are Port Errors, which usually indicates a Telkom problem. Often it is enough for them to reset the port, but sometimes they have to go further than that.