Intermittent "Request Timed Out" While Pinging ISP

[MJBlacko]

Hello All,

I've been having some intermittently high ping issues lately. I think the issues began when I moved to a new city (new ISP), but I can't be sure. Before bugging you all with a question supported by no information, I looked into it myself. I found that when continuously pinging my DHCP Server (which I assumed to be a test of my ISP network), I get a random high ping or "request timed out" error about once (1 second) every minute or two. This pinging was done directly plugged into my modem. Usually, the pings take somewhere between 12-28 ms, but the intermittently high pings are over 300 or timed out.

I also noticed that when I ping my wireless router, i get high pings (over 200) about every 20 seconds. It seems like a strange coincidence that both my ISP and my routers are experiencing intermittently high ping. The pattern and the intensity of the high pings are different between the two, but strange nonetheless.

UPDATE: I ran the same tests on another device. Additionally, I pinged my ISP's IP. The results were exactly the same. I also used my second device (laptop) to ping my first (desktop) via wireless network and experienced the same issues.

In summary, device 1 experiences this issue pinging the router and the ISP (after removing the router), device 2 experiences the same, and device 2 experienced the issue while pinging device 1.

If anyone could provide some insight on the the issue or let me know if my pinging is done incorrectly, I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!

-MJB

 

[bill001g]

You have to be very careful not to confuse the issue. It is very common to see errors like this on any wireless and this is generally due to interference of one form or another. Unfortunately you need to find the cause of the interference and try to work around it and it is not all that easy to do.

Now when you are plugged directly into the modem and you see errors it will depend on the pattern you see. If you get a packet here and there that is dropped or gets high latency then it could just be how ping works. Ping (ie icmp) is considered low priority traffic by devices. If the ISP router is busy passing actually traffic when you ping comes in it will delay responding since passing real traffic is much more important and sometime it does not respond at all if it is too busy.

If you are seeing say greater than 1 or 2% of the packets with errors then you can call the ISP and have them check the line. A indication there is a problem generally is groups of ping packets that have problems not just one here and there

 

[MJBlacko]

Thanks Bill,

Pinging the router and secondary device sounds more like the interference you are describing. However, the pattern when plugged directly into the modem (on both devices) is usually 3-10 seconds of "Request Timed Out" errors. I actually had my ISP come out to test the connection a few months ago, but they insisted that there was nothing wrong. They even tried to charge me after fixing nothing... I laid down the hammer on their billing department. Anyway, according to your description, the pattern when directly plugged into the router seems like an ISP issue. If my ISP insists that everything is working properly on their end, is there anything I can do, aside from changing my ISP?

UPDATE: I just checked my packet loss again this morning, and it seems to be fine (0%). The issue I'm having manifests itself as intermittent lag during gaming, which puts me at a great disadvantage. The problem only seems to be noticeable during peak hours. Perhaps I'll try again later tonight.

-MJB

 

[thicks083]

I would test out your UP/DOWN during times when you feel your connection is running smoothly and during those "peak hours" that you're experiencing latency issues. Then compare the two. You can even call up your ISP and tell them those exact numbers.

 

[MJBlacko]

Hello All,

Thanks for the replies. I have done what you requested and looked into differences during peak hours and normal hours. I haven't had the problem in a couple of days after I started plugging in directly to my modem. I thought I had figured out the problem. However, it is Thursday evening and I'm back at square 1. The problem persists. I suppose this would be considered peak hours, but everything was fine just last night. Any suggestions?

-MJB

 

[engr ifa]

To the best of my knowledge i have the same issue you have long time ago and dont think the issue manifest or go on his own what i will advice you is to tract the network cable one by one so that you will surelly know where the problem is coming from and i will also advice you to connect the cable that come from your RADIO or MASK directly to a single computer that will also tell you may be the problem is truely from your end or ISP if the issue is from your end tract the cable and find the computer that is sending packet

Thanks.