Strange Spark Network Issue

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Strange Spark Network Issue

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sJBs

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#2532862 1-Aug-2020 20:04

snnet:
are you sure it isnt the device? I know with mine for a while now if I've had tabs opened or a process is stuck open such as chrome it can hog resources and slow things right down on the device itself

If you mean by device, the computer? Yes, I can confirm that all the devices simultaneously will not be able to make any new connections.

The MTR test would the all indicate that there is no response from after the tower will all packet dropped.

Strangely enough, if you had a stream going, it would not be interrupted. EG streaming brianfm, zooming or teams call would just continue, but you can not initiate a new connection, such as a new webpage, new call, new meeting etc.

Linux Mint 19.3 (Yes upgrade is overdue) with ZFS and multiple replicating XigmaNas servers (BSD with ZFS) for storage, all connected via Mikrotik Routerboard (firewall) to a Huawei 618 for Spark Wireless Broadband...

snnet

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#2532863 1-Aug-2020 20:06

So connections carry on - dns issue? I don't really buy the packet loss as being the reason as it's been addressed earlier

quickymart

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#2532864 1-Aug-2020 20:08

I would just place a new fibre order and get it installed.

sJBs

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#2532865 1-Aug-2020 20:12

snnet:
So connections carry on - dns issue? I don't really buy the packet loss as being the reason as it's been addressed earlier

I also initially though DNS issue, but you can't connect to the address directly either. Thus DNS not really the issue.

I'm back on the default Spark DNS, after using 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8 for a while. But these did impact anything.

freitasm

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#2532866 1-Aug-2020 20:12

Are you on the fringes of coverage? Remember 4G "breathes" and more users means smaller coverage, and when users move or disconnect then the coverage grows again.

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sJBs

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#2532867 1-Aug-2020 20:18

freitasm: Are you on the fringes of coverage? Remember 4G "breathes" and more users means smaller coverage, and when users move or disconnect then the coverage grows again.

I have very good and consistent signal. Basically full signal. 4 or 5 bars.

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sbiddle

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#2532872 1-Aug-2020 20:34

LTE will never be as as good performance wise as VDSL2 or fibre particularly for web browsing - speed is only one factor that ultimately determines the end user QoE. The higher latency and the way bursty traffic works over LTE means it will never be as snappy for many use cases.

Considering you seem to infer you're a high use user I'm really surprised you're on wireless because fibre will always be a vasty superior solution.

hio77

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#2533749 3-Aug-2020 14:11

sbiddle:

LTE will never be as as good performance wise as VDSL2 or fibre particularly for web browsing - speed is only one factor that ultimately determines the end user QoE. The higher latency and the way bursty traffic works over LTE means it will never be as snappy for many use cases.

Considering you seem to infer you're a high use user I'm really surprised you're on wireless because fibre will always be a vasty superior solution.

come now, you know for some users it might simply be better option, such as the OP in this case it seems :)

Suspect something might be a little off here though, I've raised a possible soultion for the OP.

Will need to give it a few days to validate.

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sJBs

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#2535463 5-Aug-2020 20:11

So, my Wireless Broadband is reliable again.

In particular, thanks to hio77 & Spark who managed to make some tweaks on the Spark network.

Ever since he got involved, I have now have had 3 days without any connectivity issues. I even managed stress testing at 19h00 with multiple HD and 4K Youtube streams (6 streams in total), Steam updating, Linux Updating, and even added the latest LinuxMint torrent in there for good measure. Also started the Chorus speed test to see what the spare capacity was! All the phones and tablets remained responsive during this time with Telegram, WhatsApp, Gmail, news, Facebook, banking apps etc. And during all of this, we could all browse the web (including this forum) without any issues.

Yes, Fibre might provide a speed and latency advantage, but for now Wireless Broadband is good enough for my simple setup with the advantage that it doesn't require permanent installation in our rental house.

PdeB

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#2556914 4-Sep-2020 12:25

Damn! Those symptoms sound exactly like my experiences with my Spark 4G Rural connection for the last 6 weeks. Been battling to get anyone at Spark to look at it despite replacing all Spark hardware in the house.

New Connections fail (which annoyingly means I can be on a Teams call and not be able to see a screenshare... or sometimes even the participants) or are really slow (seems like it waits for a timeout before retrying or moving on). Sometimes you just can't connect to a team call even after 10 attempts.....

And this is a connection that was ROCK SOLID (and fast) during lockdown 1.0.

Anyone know how to get Spark to look at these issues, it was "escalated to a higher technical team" in July......

hio77

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#2557002 4-Sep-2020 13:51

PdeB:

Damn! Those symptoms sound exactly like my experiences with my Spark 4G Rural connection for the last 6 weeks. Been battling to get anyone at Spark to look at it despite replacing all Spark hardware in the house.

New Connections fail (which annoyingly means I can be on a Teams call and not be able to see a screenshare... or sometimes even the participants) or are really slow (seems like it waits for a timeout before retrying or moving on). Sometimes you just can't connect to a team call even after 10 attempts.....

And this is a connection that was ROCK SOLID (and fast) during lockdown 1.0.

Anyone know how to get Spark to look at these issues, it was "escalated to a higher technical team" in July......

Please DM me your account number.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

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