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[NEXUS2345]

Hi, I am essentially suffering from a phenomenon where my bandwidth is varying between its normal 17Mbps down to 0.1Mbps and everything in between. My ping is also seeing massive spikes, with packet loss, sometimes reaching as high as 1500ms. At the moment it doesn't seem to be affecting normal web browsing, or even video streaming, but VoIP is suffering.

I am with Zen Internet and my MDWS username is NEXUS2345. I don't think my line is the issue, as the stats seem alright, although the bit swapping graph seems to be a bit concerning.

I also have a TBB graph here which illustrates the ping issue: http://www.thinkbroadband.com/ping/share/64ee6ec726436581c6037ffee90612c4.html

I will be speaking to Zen tomorrow, but otherwise any help would be appreciated.

[Weaver]

Is there a possibility that you're under attack?

[NEXUS2345]

It is possible, although I have no way to check if so, as I have a static IP... I will do some investigating and see if I can track the inbound packets.

[burakkucat]

As you are using the TBB ping monitor, your static IPv4 address will appear as an enticing target to the Internet vermin. Are you sure that no ports are visible for your IPv4 address? 

[NEXUS2345]

There are 4 ports open which to my best effort on several occasions simply refuse to shut. Those ports being 22, 53, 80, 427, and 8200. I will probably request a new static IP if possible tomorrow to see if this resolves the issue, but otherwise I do believe this is most likely an issue with backhaul, possibly even the DSLAM I am connected to. I don't think an average internet user would notice these issues, as it is only affecting UDP and is not affecting things like audio and video streaming, so it is definitely a possibility.

[burakkucat]

There are 4 ports open which to my best effort on several occasions simply refuse to shut. Those ports being 22, 53, 80, 427, and 8200.

So if I were to scan your IPv4 address I would then see those ports? 

How are you observing those ports to be open? Do you have a remote system from which you can initiate a scan? Or have you made use of, say, GRC's ShieldsUP! or CanYouSeeMe's Open Port Check Tool? 

[NEXUS2345]

I used nmap from my local machine to scan my remote IP. In hindsight that was probably seeing internal services. I have just used a remote dedicated server I have access to and performed the same scan and found no open ports. This reaffirms my thoughts that this is an issue in the backhaul, as I have tried 2 different routers and modems (TP-Link C2600 + HG612, Asus DSL-N55U).

[NEXUS2345]

Ok, some testing later I have come to the conclusion that it is my secondhand bought HG612 which is the issue... The default gateway was seeing packet loss but my router wasn't, so I pinged my modem using it's internal IP and was getting the same pattern of packet loss I had been seeing. Time to look for a new modem... I would like to get a VMG8324 or VMG8924, but the pricing can be ridiculous buying new. Any recommendations for places?

[burakkucat]

I used nmap from my local machine to scan my remote IP. In hindsight that was probably seeing internal services.

Ah yes, that explains it. They will be the open ports, LAN-side. 

[burakkucat]

Ok, some testing later I have come to the conclusion that it is my secondhand bought HG612 which is the issue... The default gateway was seeing packet loss but my router wasn't, so I pinged my modem using it's internal IP and was getting the same pattern of packet loss I had been seeing. Time to look for a new modem... I would like to get a VMG8324 or VMG8924, but the pricing can be ridiculous buying new. Any recommendations for places?

As you are currently using a G.992.5 service, why not just look out for a ZyXEL VMG1312-B10D? They can be obtained for around the £40 mark and can be configured for G.992.1, G.992.3, G.992.5 & G.993.2 (i.e. G.Dmt to VDSL2).

I am currently using one, configured as G.992.3 and is currently my modem/router of choice. It came from an eBay seller who had four available, all new and boxed in the original cartons.

[NEXUS2345]

I was looking at that one, but I was not sure if ZyXEL were still providing firmware for it, although it would appear that it doesn't really need updating anyway. I have placed a bid for one anyway as I am quite desperate to get my hands on a replacement. Thank you for your help in the meanwhile!

[burakkucat]

Hmm . . . The latest firmware that I installed was dated 6th July 2016

Here's the link to the relevant ZyXEL download library page for the VMG1312-B10D device.

[NEXUS2345]

This is becoming a very confusing issue. I have further found that whenever my gaming PC is turned on, this issue is present, however when I turn it off the issue disappears. I am not sure what could be causing this. Any help is appreciated.

EDIT: Fixed it! Apparently the driver was corrupted in some way, or the adapter misconfigured. Reinstalled the device using Device Manager and it resolved the issue... Stupidest issue I have ever seen! 

[burakkucat]

I'm pleased to know that you have resolved the problem. 

As for a source of ZyXEL VMG1312-B10D devices, Zen (your ISP) are selling them for £95-00. (As of the date of this posting.) 

[NEXUS2345]

I have managed to obtain a brand new one at the bargain price of £10.30 !!! Really pleased. It is preconfigured for an ISP, but it shouldn't be locked down as such, so I will most likely use it in place of my HG612, and keep the HG612 as a backup, or if I need to test a friend or neighbour's line. Thanks for your help burakkucat, it is certainly appreciated.