Buffer Bloat

[johnv]

My daughter got a new ISP and we decided to try a video call via Skype. It did not go well. My upload connection was very poor, hers was great.
Using DSLR's speed test, my bufferbloat grade was F, at about 1200-1600mS. My speed was about 20/2.5.
I even bypassed my router and connected directly through my bonded DSL modem in bridge mode (Sonic provided; Pace 5168N), but the results were the same.

I paid extra to get bonded DSL so that I would have better upload speeds for video conferencing, but so far, it has not done much good. Is there anything I can do about this, such as adjustments to the modem, or is this something that is on Sonic's end? I have heard rumors about new firmware for the 5168N because of issues with using bridge mode with bonded, but I do not have any issues with that...unless you consider high bufferbloat as an issue.

[blackmage]

Are you using WiFi or Ethernet? WiFi interference can cause all kinds of issues, especially when streaming media or dealing with anything that is heavily affected by latency. Your upload bandwidth probably isn't causing an issue, as Skype states 1.5Mbp/s is recommended for HD video calling (https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA1417 ... skype-need).

-Blackmage

[johnv]

This was a wired connection direct to the modem. So the problem is either with the modem or Sonic.

[blackmage]

This was a wired connection direct to the modem. So the problem is either with the modem or Sonic.

The next step may be to give Sonic a call then. If the issue is bandwidth and you are on an ADSL2+ circuit, you can have them enable Annex-M which draws from your download to give to your upload. From 2.5Mbp/s I would only expect you to hit (maybe 4?) from Annex-M, but for Skype that would make a huge difference.

-Blackmage

[amayfield]

Hey John,

One of your lines appears to have a short or ground. Either that or you have a phone off the hook. But I'm suspecting it's an impairment on the line somewhere. That line is also generating errors which can be contributing to your Skype issues. I'd urge you to call in to support when you have some time to troubleshoot. A good contact number is 888.766.4233 and customer support is available until 10pm.

[johnv]

My granddaughter apparently did that a little while ago. It is now on hook. However that is not the problem as the buffer bloat issue still exists. I will call.

[johnv]

I would like to re-raise this issue. Any type of video conferencing with Skype is just terrible. Users see only blotches that don't even move sometimes.

I find that I also have annoyingly large delays when I try to work from home using remote desktop via a VPN.

My neighbor, who also has Fusion but with only a single line, also has a very large bufferbloat delay on uploads and he also gets a grade of "F" on the DSLReports speed test.

To others that may read this: Can you run the speedtest located at the below URL and report back on your bufferbloat value for uploads? Also post whether or not you are using Fusion.

http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest

Thanks

[geogriffin]

Wow, OK. I almost wrote this off as a line-quality issue, but then I tested it myself.

This first test is through the AC wifi on an ASUS RT-AC56U running DD-WRT. The ASUS router is running through a "subport" (single lan port bridge-mode) on Sonic's Pace 4111N. My sync speed is 6240Kbps/1251Kbps.


http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest/2159418

When I put in this ASUS, it surprised me how much faster web loading was. I really didn't think before that a recently manufactured router like the Pace 4111N would be slowing anything down, but no, this ASUS is the fastest router I have ever used (and I'd extremely recommend it, being only $90.)

OK now on the Pace 4111N 2.4Ghz "G" wifi with OK reception (RSSI -67 dBm):


http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest/2159507

Wow, that's bad. Same speed (almost), but lots of apparent bufferbloat. Attribute that to the fact that wifi sucks right? Well here's the kicker: same test but wired lan to the Pace 4111N (normal NAT mode):


http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest/2159619

Not sure what else to say, other than I'm glad I have an additional, REAL router. Sorry, fellow sonic customers, I really hope I'm measuring this wrong or something, but my experience (speed and otherwise) with the Pace 4111N has not been good.

[johnv]

Thanks for the test. I should add that I am using an ASUS RT-N66U with stock firmware; but even when I directly connect to the modem (bypassing the router), I get similar results.

Here are my results as of about 10:45pm tonight:


http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest/2159737

The above result was on wireless. The below link is for a wired connection, but again, the bufferbloat is about the same no matter what I do.
http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest/2159815

[geogriffin]

To be clear, I think the difference is in using bridged-mode vs. routed (NAT) mode on the Pace 4111N. In other words, the Pace's NAT routing is slow. Have you tried bridged-mode at all?

Unfortunately, you either have to pay for multiple static IPs from sonic to use the "subports" feature, or go full on bridged-mode which doesn't let the Pace reach out to sonic for firmware upgrades and tech support..