Not able to get even close to full speed of Comcast High speed internet service.

[Thetech]

After ordering it last week, I just got my Comcast high speed internet and phone service installed on Tuesday. I tried running bandwidth test on my connection at various times of the day, and my speeds range from 2 mbps (2000 kbps) to 9 mbps (9000 kbps) and on average the speed is 4-6 mbps, I purchased the 16 mbps down and 2 mbps up plan and confirmed the fact that I had it (at first they had me set for the 8 down/ 1 up plan). I called and after a bit of trouble they could not figure it out so they scheduled a tech to come out in a few days.

Prior to that, the day after the installation the tech came back and checked the cable line connected to the modem, he said that the line was in great condition but he could not figure out why I was not getting full speed.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Am I missing something, is there something I need to tweak or adjust to get even close to the speed I purchased, I used the bandwidth meters at speakeasy and broadbandreports to get my numbers. While I do know that things can vary a bit I didn't think that the bandwidth should vary this much on average, when I ordered the service from the sales rep, she said that the speeds don't vary like with DSL.

I bring my problem here because this issue has left me clueless, I've checked my setting and made sure DHCP is enabled, I've also ran the bandwidth tests from within Linux. I've heard that with cable internet service there is a node on the line, is it possible that their could be something wrong with the equipment on the pole?

I appreciate any comments and suggestions.
-Thank you.

 

[p0lar]

Originally posted by: Thetech

After ordering it last week, I just got my Comcast high speed internet and phone service installed on Tuesday. I tried running bandwidth test on my connection at various times of the day, and my speeds range from 2 mbps (2000 kbps) to 9 mbps (9000 kbps) and on average the speed is 4-6 mbps, I purchased the 16 mbps down and 2 mbps up plan and confirmed the fact that I had it (at first they had me set for the 8 down/ 1 up plan). I called and after a bit of trouble they could not figure it out so they scheduled a tech to come out in a few days.

Prior to that, the day after the installation the tech came back and checked the cable line connected to the modem, he said that the line was in great condition but he could not figure out why I was not getting full speed.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Am I missing something, is there something I need to tweak or adjust to get even close to the speed I purchased, I used the bandwidth meters at speakeasy and broadbandreports to get my numbers. While I do know that things can vary a bit I didn't think that the bandwidth should vary this much on average, when I ordered the service from the sales rep, she said that the speeds don't vary like with DSL.

I bring my problem here because this issue has left me clueless, I've checked my setting and made sure DHCP is enabled, I've also ran the bandwidth tests from within Linux. I've heard that with cable internet service there is a node on the line, is it possible that their could be something wrong with the equipment on the pole?

I appreciate any comments and suggestions.
-Thank you.

What devices are between your cable modem and the testing node?

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: Thetech

While I do know that things can vary a bit I didn't think that the bandwidth should vary this much on average, when I ordered the service from the sales rep, she said that the speeds don't vary like with DSL.

Isn't htat the opposite of the DSL and cable definitions?

 

[Thetech]

Originally posted by: heymrdj

Originally posted by: Thetech

While I do know that things can vary a bit I didn't think that the bandwidth should vary this much on average, when I ordered the service from the sales rep, she said that the speeds don't vary like with DSL.

Isn't htat the opposite of the DSL and cable definitions?

@Polar
I tested with the modem connected directly to the lan port on my computer, and also with the modem connected to my router.

@Heymrdj
What do you mean? the fact that DSL is supposed to vary and cables not?

Thank you.

 

[spidey07]

What is the speed and duplex setting of your computer's network card. It should be set to autonegotiate speed/duplex.

Apart from that, the speed test sites aren't very reliable for high speed connections.

And for all testing eliminate ANY home networking gear as that can be your bottleneck.

 

[mxnerd]

Try to download a big file from a big web site in my opinion is more accurate.

Like the follwoing link from Microsoft.

http://www.microsoft.com/downl...784933D&displaylang=en

Read the speed on IE download dialog box.

 

[Thetech]

Ok, I'll try that stuff out. I also must note I have a software firewall I disable when windows boots, do I have to uninstall that for an accurate test or can I use msconfig to keep it from loading when windows starts.

 

[JackMDS]

Optimizing the TCP/IP Stack - http://www.ezlan.net/Internet_Speed.html

 

[mxnerd]

It has nothing to do with firewall.

 

[spidey07]

I'm confused. You mentioned linux, now you say you are running windows?

If so you need to modify your tcp/ip stack to accomodate high bandwidth, high latency connections. google DrTcp I think it is, or go to dsl reports for more info on tuning your stack.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Optimizing the TCP/IP Stack - http://www.ezlan.net/Internet_Speed.html

you suck!

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Optimizing the TCP/IP Stack - http://www.ezlan.net/Internet_Speed.html

you suck!

JackMDS Posted 08/23/2007 10:07 PM

Spidey Posted 08/23/2007 10:09 PM

120 seconds is long time.

 

[Thetech]

I have a livecd of Ubuntu(and 1.25GB of ram) , that's how I ran Linux.
I've tweaked my TCP/IP stack already, I did so when I had DSL and made a minor adjustment to it yesterday. I should have mentioned that but sorry.
It's tweaked according the the broadbandreports speed test, please let me know if that's inaccurate.

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: Thetech

Originally posted by: heymrdj

Originally posted by: Thetech

While I do know that things can vary a bit I didn't think that the bandwidth should vary this much on average, when I ordered the service from the sales rep, she said that the speeds don't vary like with DSL.

Isn't htat the opposite of the DSL and cable definitions?

@Polar
I tested with the modem connected directly to the lan port on my computer, and also with the modem connected to my router.

@Heymrdj
What do you mean? the fact that DSL is supposed to vary and cables not?

Thank you.

Exactly. DSL is Digital Subscribers Line, or dedicated lines per client. Except for the noise pollution on a given day, DSL should be relatively stable in its performance. However cable is ramming a hole bunch of bandwidth down a line and sharing multiple households from it. When that line reaches max, the users begin to get cut down on speed.

 

[Thetech]

Tried it all, and still had no luck, .

Can anyone think up anything else to try?

 

[spidey07]

What, where and how are you measuring your speed?

 

[mxnerd]

Originally posted by: Thetech
Tried it all, and still had no luck, .

If the result did not change, probably that's the fastest you can get. Just image you have a Porche that can drive as fast as 200 mph. But once you are on the highway and in the traffic, the fastest you can get is probably 30 mph.

 

[Thetech]

Originally posted by: spidey07
What, where and how are you measuring your speed?

speedtest.net, speakeasys other speed test, and broadbandreports.com's flash and java speed test, in addition to downloading from MS as suggested.

 

[spidey07]

Keep in mind, you purchased an "up to" service. Doesn't mean you will get that speed.

If you're not happy with it then call them and say you want to downgrade your service. Or ask if they have a speed test that is internal to their network before going on the intarweb.

 

[mxnerd]

Yeah, if you can't get the speed you want, downgrade, replace a Porche with a Ford.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Can't imagine what you would do with a 16mbit/sec down plan, that you couldn't do with an 8mbit/sec down plan. I could see the improvement with 2mbit/sec upload, if you upload to usenet a lot.

I think that I would downgrade too, if they can't provide the service desired, what with it being an "up to" plan. It really depends on the neighbor's non-usage of the line, which is something outside of your control.

 

[Old Hippie]

Keep in mind, you purchased an "up to" service. Doesn't mean you will get that speed.

Usually, no where near the published specs. And if you do downgrade to the 8 down/ 1 up, your speeds will be halved.

 

[Thetech]

I do a bit of online gaming, that's why I needed the better upload speed, maybe I'll just move to FIOS when it comes.

 

[Thetech]

Just fully checking things out guys, but should I be able to saturate my connection and get close to 16mbps using a download manager?

 

[spidey07]

You should get close in bursts, probably not consistently though.

What is the speed and duplex of your network card?