[SOLVED] Router cutting speeds?

[CharlesWinthrop]

The details:

Spectrum Internet (400/20 plan) on a Wave2 (Hilton EN2251) modem.

Connected to that is a 3 day old Netgear AC1750 running the latest firmware (1.0.4.102_10.0.75)

Then my desktop system using an Intel I219-V. All running on Cat6 ethernet.

I'm getting 117 down, 23 up on average. Latest test going through the router is 130 down, 23 up (»[Cable Speed test: 130.38/22.37 34 ms]).

IF I connect my desktop straight to the modem, I get 450-475 down, 23 up on average. Latest test running straight to the modem is 476 down, 23 up (»[Cable Speed test: 476.10/23.90 34 ms]).

Tried connecting my old router (Linksys EA8300). Same result, 117 down, 23 up. That's actually why I bought the new Netgear, actually.

Just for fun, I tried swapping in another router I have laying around, (TP-Link Archer A7). Exact same result.

QoS, VPN, and Wifi all disabled during testing, so we can rule that out. Tried multiple cables too, so it's not a bad cable either.

Had Spectrum send out a tech. They replaced the modem (with an identical model), got the SAME result, and then said it's a bad router. I could see that, if it were just ONE router. But THREE different routers, from THREE companies?

As an aside, I let the router clone the MAC of my desktop. Speed reached 300 down, 22 up for about 15 minutes before dropping back to 117 down, 22 up again.

I've tried 4 different desktops and 2 laptops by this point. Total of 36 tests. Same results.

I've used the DSLReports speed test, SpeedTest.net, AND Spectrum's speed test (which is just a branded version of speedtest.net). All report the same thing.

Modem -> Computer, 400+ down.
Modem -> Router -> Computer: 117 down.

Any ideas on how to fix this?

 

[CharlesWinthrop]

Close enough to be twins! Just the two lights on our's though, power and "Online."

Roomies and I have been discussing buying a modem outright, but the best we can find in our price range is the Netgear CM1000. Would it be worth it?

My thought is order it, try it, and if it works, boot the current pile of plastic back to Spectrum and tell everyone about how they lied all along. If it doesn't work, send it back and try something else.

Borrowing one would be a hassle.

Agree.

So there is something astray with the current router but unlikely related to the original download issue.

That original download issue being something knocking down the network speeds for all connected computers from 300 back down to 117.

After 15 minutes.....

Reading back:

"The modem is hobbled (badly) by Spectrum. 1 ethernet port, no user accessible functions. Any changes to it have to be made by Spectrum. "

That modem seems to be the common factor or actually the modem-router connections - from an earlier post:

Modem -> Computer, 400+ down.
Modem -> Router -> Computer: 117 down.

As you said: "Whatever is causing this speed issue is between the modem and the router. "

Are you able to get in to at least view the Modem's configuration settings:

Does the following link show the modem that Spectrum provided?

https://www.dslreports.com/r0/download/2368783~a4e865c2dfa26fb46c02cd90ba80dd25/E31U2V1 Quick Installation Guide.pdf

Here is their 5/7/2020 supported modem list:

https://www.spectrum.net/support/internet/compliant-modems-spectrum-network/

And some unflattering notes about Spectrum....

https://www.dslreports.com/r0/download/2368783~a4e865c2dfa26fb46c02cd90ba80dd25/E31U2V1 Quick Installation Guide.pdf

Starting to believe you may need your own modem....

Are you able to borrow a modem from someone just to test without the current Spectrum Modem - Netgear Router relationship?

 

[Ralston18]

This Modem:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...0_100nas_ultra_high_speed_cable.html/overview

Modem appears to be on Spectrums supported list. Do double check.

Not familiar with the modem per se. Will defer to anyone who is using the modem and can appropriately comment.

=====

As for being worth it - how much per month are you paying to rent the "current pile of plastic"?

When will you breakeven?

Overall, you should end up with more control of the situation and be able to maintain a closer eye on things via your own modem and the corresponding admin access.

Big trade-off is that any problems with your ISP service will likely be blamed on the modem. Nothing new and I am sure you are fully aware of that.....

FYI:

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-modems,review-2832.html

 

[CharlesWinthrop]

We're paying $10/month for the "rental," which wasn't by choice. Our old modem got toasted back in June, and we needed a replacement right then (2 people here working from home). So we started renting from Spectrum, and have had nothing but trouble since.

I think we'd break even faster since we wouldn't have so much downtime.

This Modem:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...0_100nas_ultra_high_speed_cable.html/overview

Modem appears to be on Spectrums supported list. Do double check.

Not familiar with the modem per se. Will defer to anyone who is using the modem and can appropriately comment.

=====

As for being worth it - how much per month are you paying to rent the "current pile of plastic"?

When will you breakeven?

Overall, you should end up with more control of the situation and be able to maintain a closer eye on things via your own modem and the corresponding admin access.

Big trade-off is that any problems with your ISP service will likely be blamed on the modem. Nothing new and I am sure you are fully aware of that.....

FYI:

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-modems,review-2832.html

 

[CharlesWinthrop]

Fixed! Well, partly, anyway... The router is now going at nearly full speed.

419.58 down, 23.24 up.

Downgraded the router's firmware to the last version.

Still seriously considering replacing that modem though...

 

[Ralston18]

Hopefully that downgrade will last.

However, with the problem originally spanning three routers I am not convinced that the firmware is/was the real problem.

Starting to think that Spectrum just finally quietly fixed something..... maybe a modem firmware update, a modem configuration change, or some change on their end.

I would go for the new modem. Just to have admin access, control, and some visibility into whatever is going on via Spectrum's part of the bargain.

Also not sure about how much you like to get into the numbers. However, to help monitor all that is going on.....

https://devops-collective-inc.gitbo...l-networking-guide/getting-network-statistics

 

[CharlesWinthrop]

Oh, we're definitely getting the new modem. And new NICs for 2 of the roommates, and new ethernet cables (apparently we have mice now, 2 cables are chewed up).

This is quickly becoming an even bigger issue than I'd thought.

Hopefully that downgrade will last.

However, with the problem originally spanning three routers I am not convinced that the firmware is/was the real problem.

Starting to think that Spectrum just finally quietly fixed something..... maybe a modem firmware update, a modem configuration change, or some change on their end.

I would go for the new modem. Just to have admin access, control, and some visibility into whatever is going on via Spectrum's part of the bargain.

Also not sure about how much you like to get into the numbers. However, to help monitor all that is going on.....

https://devops-collective-inc.gitbo...l-networking-guide/getting-network-statistics

 

[Ralston18]

"becoming a bigger issue....

Not surprising overall. Things are becoming much more complex for varying reasons - happens in any number of real world situations.

The way you manage that is by discipline.

Control what is changed and when it is changed. Overall, one change at a time then test.

For example: get one computer successfully up and running without issues. Then go on to the next computer ....

Keep notes, document, and always be ready to undo some change.

Everyone should ensure that their data is backed up, recoverable, and proven readable.

Work as a team.