FibreX Performance Issues

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remedy

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Wannabe Geek

#247805 24-Feb-2019 06:27

Hi,

3 months ago I moved from my old Vodafone cable internet connection to FibreX.

There was a bit of mucking around getting VLan tagging to work on my router but once this was sorted the speeds were all that were promised. Initially.

Then over a number of days the service started to deteriorate. Actually the family noticed it first and when I would check using speedtest, results would vary -5-10 mps down, next check 60mps etc. I restarted the Vodafone router and speeds would then be back up over 150mps.

This has become a recurring thing, over time speeds would deteriorate and I would restart their router and the issue would be fixed. For example over the last few days it was 20mps down 50mps up - 11mps down 80mps up - 30mps down 80mps up etc. Restarted the Vodafone router and now - 280mps down and 100mps up.

My old cable connection was slower but much more reliable and consistent. Its annoying me so much I am now thinking of changing providers.

Some info:

I live in Island Bay Wellington - my street doesn't have Fibre.

I use my own ASUS router (RT-AC87U).

My questions are:

1. Does anyone else suffer this problem with the FibreX routers? Have you manage to solve it?

2. The routers are in the roof and getting up there to do a restart is super tedious - does anyone know if these routers allow a remote or scheduled restart?

3. If I should just change providers any recommendations?

Thanks in advance...

DjShadow

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#2186136 24-Feb-2019 06:42

Has Vodafone's helpdesk been able to provide any explanation?

quickymart

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#2186153 24-Feb-2019 08:56

Since you mention fibre as well, when is it scheduled to be available?

RunningMan

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#2186154 24-Feb-2019 08:59

remedy:[snip]

2. The routers are in the roof and getting up there to do a restart is super tedious

Is the router overheating? Roof space can easily get hotter than the specified operating temperature of a lot of electronics.

cyril7

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#2186209 24-Feb-2019 10:16

Router in roof is sure to root it.

Cyril

antoniosk

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#2186271 24-Feb-2019 13:21

remedy:

Hi,

3 months ago I moved from my old Vodafone cable internet connection to FibreX.

I use my own ASUS router (RT-AC87U).

My questions are:

1. Does anyone else suffer this problem with the FibreX routers? Have you manage to solve it?

2. The routers are in the roof and getting up there to do a restart is super tedious - does anyone know if these routers allow a remote or scheduled restart?

3. If I should just change providers any recommendations?

Thanks in advance...

1. Are the speeds you're mentioning for WIRED ETHERNET or WIRELESS ETHERNET? They really look like wireless speeds but if the router is in the roof cavity then youd struggle to get any wifi.

2. Is the roof materials corrugated iron? Is the roof space ample or constrained? and is your house hit by all day sun or mostly shade?

3. Does the Asus software allow you to report on CPU/Memory/Temperature of device

Island Bay Cable performance was infamous for poor performance - the design of the gig ring and the backhaul transport must have astonishingly rubbish - but it was corrected. So before this community launches into vodafone, be good to understand your home setup.

________

Antoniosk

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#2186298 24-Feb-2019 14:15

My questions are:

1. Does anyone else suffer this problem with the FibreX routers? Have you manage to solve it?

2. The routers are in the roof and getting up there to do a restart is super tedious - does anyone know if these routers allow a remote or scheduled restart?

3. If I should just change providers any recommendations?

I also live in Island Bay and have been using "FibreX" HFC cable since the day it became available. Initially 200/20, then gigabit/100. There is a new cable node at the end of our street.

There were a few teething problems with the new DOCSIS 3.1 technology, but for the last 12 months at least there have been no outages, no evening congestion, and very good (wired) speed tests (see below), both locally and overseas.

Here are wired OOKLA speedtests for Wellington and Melbourne:

As others have said, having your router in the roof space is a very bad idea, for several reasons already stated.

"Real" fibre is coming to Island Bay later this year. You should have received a mailer about this last week.

Vodafone is he only cable provider.

Whether you go with cable or UFB, move your router. 😕

Sideface

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remedy

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2186435 24-Feb-2019 17:49

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses and advice.

A bit more info:

Yes, the speeds are over wireless.
I have a huge roof space / attic with drop down stairs.
My wireless router and Paradise/Vodafone modem has been housed up there for over 10 years with no problems. I also run a NAS in the same location.
The problem only started when the existing cable modem was upgraded to the FibreX modem 3 months ago
The issue is instantly resolved by restarting the FibreX modem - I'm not sure this would be the case if it was temperature related
I have a fixed IP
No I haven't called Vodafone yet - I probably should but am loathe to due to the rather anecdotal nature of the problem.

I guess I'm asking if anyone has experienced deteriorating performance with the FibreX modem? It seems unusual that the upload speeds are largely unaffected.

Thanks

Linux

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#2186442 24-Feb-2019 18:04

And what are the speeds when you test over Ethernet?

cyril7

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#2186449 24-Feb-2019 18:32

Hi, if you have gear in teh roof space then you need to ensure that ambient temps for the gear is managed. If its above the insulation line then its going to be bad, but if its a room space below the insuation line then you can potentially manage it.

In the past I where I have had no option but to put stuff in the roof space then I have created a vented cavity below the insulation line, this could be a simple box structure that has the same insulation state as the ceiling, and has batts/insulation above it and vents to the room space below, so in essence the cavity is as if in the room below.

All though based on your latest post sounds like a potential FibreX issue, or purhaps your network if via wireless is not up to GigE WAN capability, in a recent install for a client I threw the Voda provided router in the corner and put in a Mikrotik Hex-S, no problems like what you are experiencing.

Cyril

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#2186455 24-Feb-2019 18:53

I guess I'm asking if anyone has experienced deteriorating performance with the FibreX modem? It seems unusual that the upload speeds are largely unaffected.

My short answer is no.

I presume that your FibreX modem is a Technicolor TC4400.

Mine has run perfectly since new in November 2016, and has never required a reboot (except when re-wiring my LAN).

Apart from the first few weeks of DOCSIS 3.1 (introduced in 2016), I have had full (wired) downstream & upstream speeds 24/7.

Hope this helps. 🙂

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mdf

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#2186459 24-Feb-2019 18:58

+1 to what others have said in general.

I am also in Island Bay on FibreX. Like @sideface, I had lots and lots of initial teething issues (micro outages - no internet for 15-20 minutes - were a particular problem). It then settled down and was fairly reliable for the better part of 2 years. More recently I have had some problems with degraded performance. Vodafone eventually sorted though the communication with anyone below the CEO was problematic. Today I was down around 50 mbps download before a cable modem reset restored things.

So it is certainly possible Vodafone need to fix something at their end (I remember the upgrade to DOCSIS 3.1 did flush out quite a few sub-optimal connectors). That said, they won't do anything until you eliminate all the possibilities at your end, including going back to the Vodafone supplied router (probably an Ultra Hub or HG659) so you need to exhaust those first.

In terms of making resets easier, you could look at an RF controlled power strip.

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cyril7

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#2186463 24-Feb-2019 19:07

Hi, as for remote reboot, something like this could work, they do not seem to offer AU/NZ plug options, but simple UK<>AU/NZ adaptors or wired on plugs will sort that, others may have links to local equivalents, nice thing about this one is you set off a reboot, it looks after the disconnect and reconnect x seconds latter.

Cyril

antoniosk

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#2186479 24-Feb-2019 20:02

@remedy

1. Whatever the thoughts on Vodafone’s unsurprisingly poor historical support centre performance, it’s simply not ok to bag them without giving them a chance to hang themselves in your case. You should always call and log a ticket - nothing will happen without it - and even direct conversations with the ceo still lead to one of his minions having to log a fault call with missing information on your behalf at his request.

Processes exist for folks to do their jobs, and even when isps suck at being customer responsive, go8ng outside process causes lots of confusion

2. A quick review of the technicolor specs reveals:

Operating temperature up to 40C, which in my experience means most kit when it get close to the upper bound starts performing poorly. Look at the humidity stats as well... I’m sure your older kit has been good at working in the roof space, but this new kit seems.... picky....

________

Antoniosk

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#2187078 25-Feb-2019 20:11

antoniosk:

... A quick review of the technicolor specs reveals:

Operating temperature up to 40C, which in my experience means most kit when it get close to the upper bound starts performing poorly. ...

I had not realised that your new Technicolor modem was also in the attic space. Bad idea. 😕

This device runs hot - and mine is in a cool, dark, well-ventilated downstairs location - where it works perfectly.

Do yourself a favor and move your equipment downstairs. (and test speeds via ethernet) 🙃

Sideface