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Maelstrom

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#109807 27-Sep-2012 10:32
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Hello GZ friends,

At our office, we have BizNet VDSL provisioned by TelstraClear.  We have nine workstations (a mix of Mac and PC) connected by both wired and wireless to a Linksys WRT54GL router.  That router is connected to a Thomson modem/router that Telstra provided (one of these, I believe):

http://www.technicolorbroadbandpartner.com/dsl-modems-gateways/products/product-detail.php?id=186&seg=7

So, that's a broad overview of the setup.  Most of the time, this works okay, and we get a pretty constant ~14mbps connection speed.

HOWEVER, around 3-4 times a day, our net connection drops.  I log into the LinkSys, and it shows it's disconnected from the net, and it can't reconnect for a good two minutes, claiming an authentication error of sorts.  I talked to Telstra support about this, and they said the reason the auth error is bubbling up is because they think we're still connected, and therefore our reconnect attempts are denied.  However, after about two minutes, it seems like Telstra realizes we're no longer connected and clears us for reconnection.

Telstra's advice to us has thus far been "Replace your Linksys", or to be prepared to have a technician of theirs come out at a cost to us.

Before I replace the Linksys, which operated perfectly on Orcon before we switched to Telstra, I thought I'd run the issue past you lot, O Great Ones ;-) with the added knowledge that we have realized the connection drops when someone leaves their desk for more than five minutes.

Yes, when someone goes to lunch or out for coffee or whatever, that's when the connection drops.  It doesn't happen every time someone leaves, but every time it goes down, someone HAS left (if that makes sense -- i.e. someone walking out doesn't indisputably result in a drop, but drops only occur when someone's gone out).

This is doing our heads in, and given the fairly specific nature of the fault, I thought I'd run it up the flagpole.

Eventually I'll replace the router, and if that doesn't work, get a Telstra tech out.  However, wanted to start here, 'cos y'know, we all love tricky problems, right?

Cheers!

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sbiddle
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  #692105 27-Sep-2012 10:48
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How are you connected, PPPoE? Sounds like you're using PPPoE, setting a timeout inactivity period set in the PPPoE and once it drops the BRAS takes a few minutes to disconnect the session before it will allow it to reconnect.




Maelstrom

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  #692110 27-Sep-2012 10:59
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Yessir, we are connecting via PPoE.  KeepAlive is selected, with a redial of 20 seconds.

Zeon
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  #692112 27-Sep-2012 11:01
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I would be focussing on the disconnects. Seems like you are getting relatively poor speeds so could be a wiring issue. Also Telstra's VDSL2 service is based off their own copper network AFAIK and their DSLAM may be quite a bit further away than say, a Chorus DSLAM. What's your street/approximate address?




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Maelstrom

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  #692116 27-Sep-2012 11:04
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Thanks for your help (both replies, that is, sorry forgot to say thanks earlier)

We're in Achilles House, which is number eight Commerce Street, Auckland CBD.

Would you say ~14mps is poor for a VDSL connection shared amongst an office of (depending on the day) 6-9 people?  I'd be interested to know if that's so.

We switched in anger from Call Plus because they couldn't deliver more than 2mps (grr)

Maelstrom

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  #692807 28-Sep-2012 10:58
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Just a small *bump*, 'cos, you know... want to take to the router with an axe...

coffeebaron
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  #692813 28-Sep-2012 11:01
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Can you please post line stats from your router?




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Maelstrom

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  #692824 28-Sep-2012 11:19
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Hello!  Thanks so much for the reply.  The router is attached to a Thomson modem, which I don't believe I can access directly...?  My understanding is that I cannot get line starts from the Linksys, is that right?

 
 
 

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coffeebaron
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  #692842 28-Sep-2012 11:36
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Maelstrom: Hello!  Thanks so much for the reply.  The router is attached to a Thomson modem, which I don't believe I can access directly...?  My understanding is that I cannot get line starts from the Linksys, is that right?

You will need to plug directly into the Thomson to get the stats (unless the is a static route setup).




Rural IT and Broadband support.

 

Broadband troubleshooting and master filter installs.
Starlink installer - one month free: https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-32845-88860-71 
Wi-Fi and networking
Cel-Fi supply and installer - boost your mobile phone coverage legally

 

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com


Zeon
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  #692844 28-Sep-2012 11:44
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Maelstrom: Thanks for your help (both replies, that is, sorry forgot to say thanks earlier)

We're in Achilles House, which is number eight Commerce Street, Auckland CBD.

Would you say ~14mps is poor for a VDSL connection shared amongst an office of (depending on the day) 6-9 people?  I'd be interested to know if that's so.

We switched in anger from Call Plus because they couldn't deliver more than 2mps (grr)


Ah no, you are right on the edge of the central Exchange so ADSL2 only (and on the edge of that area too). Just a little way off from a Chorus cabinet! In terms of copper services, this is probably your cheapest bet at the moment as you will be using Telstra's own copper which they can offer VDSL2 over. I would seriously consider checking out fibre though. It may be more expensive but you will get far greater reliability. The building is probably already lit so installation costs wouldn't be that hard.

In terms of your current problem though, disconnects are a real pain. I'd raise this as a technical issue with Telstra as stopping those will make your problem go away.




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Ragnor
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  #693244 29-Sep-2012 03:16
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Stock firmware on the WRT54GL was pants, suggest flashing third party open source firmware eg: TomatoUSB.

Otherwise just replace it with a newer router.

LennonNZ
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  #693248 29-Sep-2012 06:48
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We (where I work) Already have Chorus Fibre in there already supplying services to quite a number of tenants there.. I Have PMed you some details..

ADSL (Chorus)/VDSL(TelstraClear) there is horrible yes due to the distance to the exchanges (I know as I installed an a Chorus ADSL connection there before we put the Fibre in and it was painfully slow).







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