Adsl 2

[101RRS]

This is one for the techos who know about ADSL2+.

Over the past couple of years I have upgraded from dial up through a couple of versions of ADSL and yesterday to ADSL 2 and find its actual speed a bit of a diappointment compared to what it promises.

With 56k dial up my actual download rate was about 4kb/sec, with 256K adsl it was about 5 times faster - about 20kb/sec and my recent 512k system - yesterday was running at about 50kb/sec.

My new ADSL 2+ is supposed to 24,000k (24megabits per sec) so based on actual download speed is about 10% of what the plan speed is (based on my past plans) I was expected an actual download rate of about 2400kb/sec.

Well first download was only at 80kb/sec - only double the speed of what I had before - Ok the site must have had a slow upload rate - but now the system seems to have settled down to about 600kb/sec (with a download accerator) and about 100 without it - now that is really fast but no where near what it should be. I went onto a couple of different speed test sites that I use. On the I normally use - I was getting 56k from dial up, about 465kb/sec with my old 512 adsl but with ADSL2+ that is supposed to be 24mb/sec it only gets about a best of 7mb per sec and averages about 5 mb per sec.

Have I been ripped off or sucked in my over generous speed claims by TPG who supplies my 24000k ADSL2+ (note they do say speeds up too 24mbs but I am getting no where near it where in my old systems was getting about 90% of the speed claimed)

Thanks

Gazzz

[p38arover]

My new ADSL 2+ is supposed to 24,000k (24megabits per sec) so based on actual download speed is about 10% of what the plan speed is (based on my past plans) I was expected an actual download rate of about 2400kb/sec.

The reason for that is that the data transfer rate is quoted in bits/second whilst the download rate is in bytes/second. Also in data comms, I think a kilobit is 1000 bits not 1024 bits.

There are about 10 bits per byte - actually 8 bits in the byte plus a parity bit (if used) and 1 or 2 stop bits, etc.

Ron

[abaddonxi]

The maximum speed of ADSL2+ is only really achievable if you are within spitting distance of your exchange. I'm about 500m from mine and get a max of 21Mbps.

Other factors:

Do you have an ADSL2+ modem? Old modem will work, but the limit on them is about 8Mbps.

How much other stuff you have have plugged into your phone line at home? ADSL2+ is much more sensitive to interference on the line. I put my modem line first out of the phone plug, and keep the modem/router as close to first phone plug as possible. Then I have filter, then other things. The test is to unplug everything except modem/router and see how it goes. Dodgy phone extension cables are a no-no.

Try that stuff out and tell us how you go.

Cheers
Simon

[101RRS]

Simon,

We are 3.5km from the exchange - the drop from is from 24mbs to 7 mbs in just that distance - I would hate to be any real distance away.

The modem is what was supplied by the ISP with the setup kit so it should be OK.

You are spot on about the line and other phones etc - when initially setup the system would not work - when I changed the ADSL modem to be first off the line it was Ok - and of course every phone etc has to be filtered.

Still the hype exceeds the deliverable - however ADSL2+ does seem to work better with acceralator software than either dial up or standard adsl.

cheers

Garry

[abaddonxi]

Have a look at this graph
http://www.internode.on.net/adsl2/graph/
http://www.internode.on.net/images/copyright/internode-adsl2-distance.jpg

Looks like you're getting to the limit on service.

If you do a bit of fossicking about on the whirlpool forum -
http://whirlpool.net.au/
you should get an idea of what kind of service your provider gives on your exchange, maybe.

I think there's also a certain amount of difference between hardware. From that graph I should be getting max speed, and don't I'm a bit suspicious of my modem (netgear).

I'm with IINET, they have a control panel that you can log in and change your connection setting from speed freak to grumpy old man. Yours might have the same. It lets you set dropout rate vs. connection speed.

Other thing is, and this is going to make you very happy.

Go to a big site, IBM, Microsoft, someone with monstrous numbers of servers and connections. Download something huge. Watch the little line zip from left to right.

That pretty much covers the pleasures of ADSL2. You only really get the advantage on huge sites.

of course you could make friends with someone living closer to the exchange, get them to connect and setup a couple of direction wireless antenna. I saw a plan to make them out of $5 woks and usb 802.11b dongles, got up to a couple of kms when lined up. Maybe try it with wireless G dongles.;)

Cheers
Simon

Cheers
Simon

[abaddonxi]

And here's the exchange list.

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/index.cfm?a=wiki&tag=Australian_Exchange_Guide

Cheers
Simon

[101RRS]

Despite my whinging - ADSL 2+ is still faster than ADSL (8mbpm) and is actually cheaper. My older 512kb ADSL with less download is the same price so I shouldn't complain too much.

Thanks for the links - interseting stuff.

Garry

[Pedro_The_Swift]

its interesting how on my 512 plan i get 52kbps,,,

which is what I'd get living next to the exchange--

but if I want to go any faster,, sorry sir,, you are too far from the exchange.

:confused:

[shorty943]

Yes sir, Garry. At your distance from the exchange, you are tip toeing on the edge of reception.
Does your ISP run a wireless ADSL setup. I'm further from the exchange locally, 6 Km NW of town, the exchange is about 3 Km SE, Internode supplied me with a roof mounted Canopy wireless system, that is cabled, via a Billion Router, no damn insecure wireless LAN for me, via 100mb LAN to my systems various.
512 K\s feed theoretical, 60 ish most sites in practice.
Price, $39.95\mth with an 8 Gb limit. Still got 80% left this month, new month starts next week.
Hey, I just realised, I am ripping me off in downloads.:p

Shorty.

[loanrangie]

its interesting how on my 512 plan i get 52kbps,,,

which is what I'd get living next to the exchange--

but if I want to go any faster,, sorry sir,, you are too far from the exchange.

:confused:

On my 512 i get 1500 !

[DarrenR]

As already mentioned, ADSL2/2+ will vary depending upon your distance from the exchange.

But keep in mind with any ADSL, ADSL2/2+ general guides or rules are only that. There are many other variables to consider with regards to connection/performance speeds.

Some of the variables include;
-Quality of the physical phone line between you and the exchange.
-Environmental conditions on the exchange equipment, the phone line, and your own equipment.
-Quality of the phone line throughout your house.
-Having your house physically right next door to the exchange is no guarantee your phone line is right next door to the exchange, nor is it going to guarantee the best performance.
-ADSL line filters are often the cause of most ADSL related problems/speed issues etc, LSE filters (try OzTechnologies.com, or me if you live close) I have found to be without exception the best filters to use.
-The ADSL modem/router supplied by your ISP generally is used because they have a good purchasing agreement with the supplier and is not a given it's the most ideal device for any given situation.
-Other equipment (phones etc) including between your phone outlet and the ADSL device, such as surge protection equipment.
-Your ISP and their equipment.

Best regards
DarrenR