Brief Internet Interrupts

[haze11111]

Internet Provider: Comcast
Modem: Motorola SB5120 (not docsis 3.0)
Router: Asus RT-N53

(I know I'm about the describe an xbox one related problem, but I am seeking help here in finding what tools might help find the issue.)

I'm having an issue that I don't know how to narrow down. When playing online games on my Xbox One such as Elder Scrolls Online, World of Tanks, or Destiny I will lag out of the game randomly. In both ESO and Destiny this means losing connection to the server and often I also lose party chat. Party chat can quickly be resumed by leaving party and rejoining.
In World of Tanks it means my tank lags out for ten seconds before I regain control. My xbox is on a wired connection.

The above issues can occur numerous times an hour, or I may go hours with no problem.

This is not a full internet outage as I do not lose my connection to xbox live and if my wife or son are watching netflix over Chromecast they do not lose the stream (although it will degrade in quality for a few seconds around the time I lose my connection.) I also game on my PC but lately it's been single player games so I haven't experienced the same problem there yet.

Are there any free tools I can use to monitor my traffic and see if there is a device on my network that is suddenly spiking in bandwidth use? I looked at the log on my router but I don't see anything there during the times my game connections are interrupted. There are many devices on my network and I keep wondering if one of them is periodically "spiking" my connection.

Any help appreciated.

-Haze

 

[Fardringle]

Did you purchase the Motorola SB5120 or is it one that Comcast provided? That's an old modem and is no longer officially supported on the Comcast network so it really should be replaced with one that is on the supported devices list. If the modem is provided by Comcast, tell them to give you a new one. If not, look for a replacement from this list:
http://mydeviceinfo.comcast.net/

 

[haze11111]

The modem is from Comcast and is quite a few years old. I did receive a letter from them stating that I could still use it, but would not get the higher speeds offered by one that supports docsis 3.0

I hadn't acted on that offer yet because I'd like to buy one at some point when newegg or amazon have a sale. It hasn't been a priority purchase for me because I haven't been unhappy with my speeds and I can't be sure that the modem is the root cause of the problem I stated in my post.

If I knew for sure that was the issue I'd just go get a new modem, but if I replace it, and still have this issue, I'll be bummed.

I will contact comcast and get a replacement for now to see if that will fix it and if so, I will buy one later to skip the modem rental fee.

Would still like to see if anyone else has experienced anything like this or knows how to narrow it down.

 

[nsafreak]

It sounds like it's losing one or more of its downlink channels but not all of them from time to time. Are there any splitters between the modem and the cable outlet or barrel connectors? I've seen bad splitters and barrel connectors have this kind of symptom.

 

[haze11111]

It sounds like it's losing one or more of its downlink channels but not all of them from time to time. Are there any splitters between the modem and the cable outlet or barrel connectors? I've seen bad splitters and barrel connectors have this kind of symptom.

No splitters. I do have an access point in my home where the comcast line comes in and is then connected to one of many other coax connections (each for a different jack in the house) and a single barrel connector is being used there. It's the same one I've had for 10 years or so, is it possible for it to go bad over time? Interesting thought and I am happy to swap that out and try it.

 

[nsafreak]

Yep, I've had barrel connectors go bad over time and 10 years is plenty of time for one to go bad. Make sure the replacement connector is a fully capable 3Ghz connector. It doesn't need to be expensive, just a good quality one which should be around $2.

 

[lazybedone]

Can you use vpn on an Xbox? I wonder.