I have been struggling with a high Latency and Packet Loss issue with my router and hope someone here can point me in the right direction. I apologize in advance for the long winded story but I've gathered some info and it's not totally straight forward.
Background: I have Comcast internet with a Cisco modem in bridge mode and up till this past Saturday was using an ASUS RT-N66U router that has been flawless for at least 2 years now maybe longer. Periodically Comcast will have some issue or another, and about 2 months ago, I had one of those blips. At the end I know my service was solid and stable. Latency numbers were <50, DL/UL was 180/20 and packet loss steady 0% with that equipment.
Trouble starts: The weekend before last I started having an issue where my internet DL speeds dropped off sharply late at night. The would run anywhere from 8-20 (on download only), during those times the latency would creep up and packet loss was all over the map and usually 10-15%. Getting comcast to solve this problem was difficult because it only happened at night so everyone wanted to just clear the ticket during the day and that would just start the whole process over. However, last night was the first time the service appeared to be normal around 11 PM. I missed doing any tesing around 8 or 9 when it would typically have begun going down hill but I will check again tonight.
Issue with my router: So what does Comcast's trouble have to do with my router? Comcast typically tries to first blame my equipment. I'm usually pretty obstinate that my equipment is fine but decided one afternoon while Comcast was there to go ahead and run some tests with my PC plugged directly to the modem (while still in bridge mode). While this was daytime and my speed numbers were correct, the latency / packet loss numbers were high with the router run normally. When I went direct from PC to the modem the latency / packet loss issue went away. After going back and forth a few times and continually proving there was an issue with my router in the loop, I said well, I guess I'm ordering a new router.
It gets complicated: That night, my internet service went back in the tank with terrible download speeds. Doing some more testing while the latency / packet loss associated with the reduced speed issue was back, when the router was in place, the numbers were far worse. The latency jumping up to 400+ and packet loss over 30%. When I took the router out of the equation, it was more like 100 & 5-10%. Back on day shift the speed was normal, and latency / packet loss <50 / 0% only WITHOUT my router. 200/20% WITH the router in place. I even went as far as to test two cables from the PC to modem that performed perfectly when direct connected, and used those to connect the router, but still having the poor results. So, I ordered the RT-AC66U_B1. It came in Saturday and I installed. Much to my frustration, it changed nothing. During the day, perfect numbers when PC is plugged into modem, bad latency/packet loss when running through the router, with proven cables. I even unplugged the rest of the network so no other traffic would have an impact. Also of note in this process, I did replace the modem to a Technicolor. I still have the Cisco at the house and may switch back before returning one of them.
Last night, the Comcast speed issue for the first time was seemingly resolved, at least after 11 PM, but the same condition still existed with the router. Perfect numbers with no router, terrible with. I'm at a loss other than return the router as defective for a new one, but I'm having a hard time beliving my RT-N66U had this type of failure and then a new RT-AC66U was purchased and has the exact same failure. I'm stumped on any other ideas of how to trouble shoot.
If anyone has any thoughts, is greatly appreciated so thanks in advance even for taking the time to read this
!!!
Background: I have Comcast internet with a Cisco modem in bridge mode and up till this past Saturday was using an ASUS RT-N66U router that has been flawless for at least 2 years now maybe longer. Periodically Comcast will have some issue or another, and about 2 months ago, I had one of those blips. At the end I know my service was solid and stable. Latency numbers were <50, DL/UL was 180/20 and packet loss steady 0% with that equipment.
Trouble starts: The weekend before last I started having an issue where my internet DL speeds dropped off sharply late at night. The would run anywhere from 8-20 (on download only), during those times the latency would creep up and packet loss was all over the map and usually 10-15%. Getting comcast to solve this problem was difficult because it only happened at night so everyone wanted to just clear the ticket during the day and that would just start the whole process over. However, last night was the first time the service appeared to be normal around 11 PM. I missed doing any tesing around 8 or 9 when it would typically have begun going down hill but I will check again tonight.
Issue with my router: So what does Comcast's trouble have to do with my router? Comcast typically tries to first blame my equipment. I'm usually pretty obstinate that my equipment is fine but decided one afternoon while Comcast was there to go ahead and run some tests with my PC plugged directly to the modem (while still in bridge mode). While this was daytime and my speed numbers were correct, the latency / packet loss numbers were high with the router run normally. When I went direct from PC to the modem the latency / packet loss issue went away. After going back and forth a few times and continually proving there was an issue with my router in the loop, I said well, I guess I'm ordering a new router.
It gets complicated: That night, my internet service went back in the tank with terrible download speeds. Doing some more testing while the latency / packet loss associated with the reduced speed issue was back, when the router was in place, the numbers were far worse. The latency jumping up to 400+ and packet loss over 30%. When I took the router out of the equation, it was more like 100 & 5-10%. Back on day shift the speed was normal, and latency / packet loss <50 / 0% only WITHOUT my router. 200/20% WITH the router in place. I even went as far as to test two cables from the PC to modem that performed perfectly when direct connected, and used those to connect the router, but still having the poor results. So, I ordered the RT-AC66U_B1. It came in Saturday and I installed. Much to my frustration, it changed nothing. During the day, perfect numbers when PC is plugged into modem, bad latency/packet loss when running through the router, with proven cables. I even unplugged the rest of the network so no other traffic would have an impact. Also of note in this process, I did replace the modem to a Technicolor. I still have the Cisco at the house and may switch back before returning one of them.
Last night, the Comcast speed issue for the first time was seemingly resolved, at least after 11 PM, but the same condition still existed with the router. Perfect numbers with no router, terrible with. I'm at a loss other than return the router as defective for a new one, but I'm having a hard time beliving my RT-N66U had this type of failure and then a new RT-AC66U was purchased and has the exact same failure. I'm stumped on any other ideas of how to trouble shoot.
If anyone has any thoughts, is greatly appreciated so thanks in advance even for taking the time to read this
!!!
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