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[MP99]

[Moderator note: This topic has been split off from Kitz's review of the device.]

Hi all.

Hoping this is the right thread...

I am trying out a DSL-AC68U in place of BT home hub 6 / smart hub 1 on BT Internet VDSL2 connection.

With the hub I had down sync rate of approx 60mbps, and consistent speed tests around 52mbps:
https://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/1624976134128012755

With the Asus, my speed tests are 46mbps, but slightly faster uploads:
https://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/1625420306689075055

If I'm reading correctly, the Asus appears to be syncing at 72mbps, but my speed test is more in line with the "data rate" (see attachment for full screenshot):
Data Rate   52567 kbps   19272 kbps
Max Rate   72112 kbps   19273 kbps

Am I reading that correctly - is the max rate (or the data rate) actually my sync speed? If not, where can I find it in the router's status pages?

If that is my sync speed - any idea why my speed tests are so much lower?


An engineer rewired when I upgraded to VDSL - it's labelled as Master Socket 5C. I have run the checker at https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL - see highlights.

Featured Products	Down high	Down low	Up high	Up low	Handback threshold
VDSL Range A (Clean)	73.7	54	20	14	47
VDSL Range B (Impacted)	71.4	48.3	20	12.3	38.4

Observed Speeds	VDSL
Max Observed Downstream Speed	52.56
Max Observed Upstream Speed	19.27
Observed Date	2021-07-04

Premise Environment	Status
Bridge Tap	N
VRI	N
NTE Face Plate	N
Last Test Date	22-06-2021

Thanks for any help / insight you may be able to offer.

cheers, Martin

[RealAleMadrid]

The Asus DSL-AC68U has a very poor modem chip inside it, that's one reason for the speed being so poor, it also doesn't play well with the Openreach DLM system so you may find your speed dropping further. There are reports that this modem/router should never have been allowed to be used on UK lines as it has not passed approval and doesn't meet the requirements for G.INP ( or retransmission which is a noise reduction system that can improve sync speeds)

To sum up, you would be better off using the BT HH6 

Just to clarify the data rates that the Asus shows are the sync rates as confirmed by the observed speeds in the BT test.
The Max Rates are theoretical figures calculated by the modem which are often incorrectly inflated to unachievable levels.

[j0hn]

Data rate is the sync rate. Well below the BT Hub.
The chipset inside the Asus is useless.

The max data rate is a theoretical figure that is usually inaccurate (too high) when Interleaving is enabled.

Your DSL-AC68U is the 1st I've seen in a long time to have G.INP enabled.
The Asus was put on a G.INP blacklist because it misbehaved but it looks like those issues may have been resolved.

Even with G.INP and a 3dB target the sync is considerably below the BT Hub 6, which isn't that great either.

If you are within any return period for the device I strongly recommend returning it.

I use an RT-AC68U, an almost identical router. So I have nothing against Asus devices.
It's just the Mediatek DSL chipset inside the Asus DSL models is a waste of sand.

[MP99]

Thanks both - that's very helpful.

Do you know how to disabled interleaving - is that the bitswap setting?

BTW, what would be the benefit of diabling interleaving - ISTR it has something to do with ping times and latency?


Also, is there a way for me to check for any CRC errors?

I quite like Asus' mobile app for monitoring the router, but I'll switch back if the HH is better.

Thanks, Martin

[MP99]

Even with G.INP and a 3dB target the sync is considerably below the BT Hub 6, which isn't that great either.

What do you base that on - the attenuation?

cheers, Martin

[hushcoden]

I quite like Asus' mobile app for monitoring the router, but I'll switch back if the HH is better.

I'm afraid you'll have anything but troubles with that Asus device, do yourself a favour and return that unit.

[burakkucat]

[Moderator note: This topic has been split off from Kitz's review of the device.]

Hi all.

Hoping this is the right thread...

I am trying out a DSL-AC68U in place of BT home hub 6 / smart hub 1 on BT Internet VDSL2 connection.

Welcome to the kitz forum. 

I have split these posts off from the original device review and given them an appropriate subject heading.

I, too, will recommend that you return the device for a refund . . . if possible.

[MP99]

I'm afraid this is an old device that I pulled out of the cupboard to give it a try.

Thanks for all the advice.

cheers, Martin

[j0hn]

What do you base that on - the attenuation?

That's based on what you said. The Home Hub synced higher.

The Asus has a 3dB SNRM and G.INP is active. That's as good as the line will go and the optimum DLM profile.

You can't disable Interleaving, it's handled automatically by the DLM (Dynamic Line Management system).

The line isn't actually interleaved anyway. The Asus reports any Interleaving value above 1 as "Interleaving".
The line has an Interleaving value of just 4, which is consistent with G.INP (aka retransmission).
If the line was actually interleaved the Interleaving depth would be 1500+.

Also, is there a way for me to check for any CRC errors?

CRC's are reported at the bottom of the DSL Statistics page, although I've no idea how accurate that figure is.
It used to be incorrect but they may have fixed that.

In order to view any more detailed statistics (like ES, which are much more important than CRC) you have to Telnet/SSH in to the Asus and run a series of commands.

If you had a bridge modem lying around the Asus makes an excellent router. It can basically be turned in to an Asus RT-AC68U.
That would allow the Asus to handle the authentication, wireless, routing, allowing you to continue to use the Asus app, but without the (imo) disastrous modem being used.

Some users on shorter lines like yours actually like the DSL-AC68U. It's on medium to long lines where it performs worst.

If you do choose to continue to use the Asus please ensure UPBO is always enabled.
It is the only modem I have ever come across that allows UPBO to be disabled and doing so can seriously impact the upstream speed of other users on your cabinet.

It's quite shocking that option even exists and even more shocking that it has persisted across dozens of firmwares for over half a decade.

[Alex Atkin UK]

It's quite shocking that option even exists and even more shocking that it has persisted across dozens of firmwares for over half a decade.

I dunno, its rather like the "Ignore regulatory requirements" options that WiFi often has for forcing 40Mhz on the 2.4Ghz band, only a whole lot worse.

[MP99]

Welcome to the kitz forum. 

I have split these posts off from the original device review and given them an appropriate subject heading.

Thanks!

cheers, Martin

[MP99]

That's based on what you said. The Home Hub synced higher.

Understood. I'd thought your comment "the BT Hub 6, which isn't that great either" meant that the BT hub could be expected to connect at faster than 60mbps.

In order to view any more detailed statistics (like ES, which are much more important than CRC) you have to Telnet/SSH in to the Asus and run a series of commands.

I can feel myself going down a rabbit hole that ends with me running RouterStats again (like I used to with Billion 7800 on ADSL, before the days when DLM managed the margins). 

If you had a bridge modem lying around the Asus makes an excellent router. It can basically be turned in to an Asus RT-AC68U.
That would allow the Asus to handle the authentication, wireless, routing, allowing you to continue to use the Asus app, but without the (imo) disastrous modem being used.

Tempting. Any recommendations for a good modem?

Would there be any point getting something that can also do g.fast for future proofing? If it matters, I believe I'm on an aluminium line.

If you do choose to continue to use the Asus please ensure UPBO is always enabled.
It is the only modem I have ever come across that allows UPBO to be disabled and doing so can seriously impact the upstream speed of other users on your cabinet.

It's quite shocking that option even exists and even more shocking that it has persisted across dozens of firmwares for over half a decade.

Noted, and will do!

cheers, Martin

[j0hn]

Would there be any point getting something that can also do g.fast for future proofing? If it matters, I believe I'm on an aluminium line.

Only if your area already has G.Fast available.

If it hasn't been rolled out to your cabinet already then it's highly unlikely it will ever be.
The G.Fast rollout is effectively over with no new areas announced since 2018 and no new pods installed (that I'm aware of) since late 2019
FTTP is very much the priority now.

[MP99]

<sigh> OK. I believe my area is due to get FTTP sometime in the next five years.

BTW, one thing I am particularly noticing with the Asus router is that web pages load noticeably faster than with BT's hub. Same wired infrastucture via switch on my desk to the router.

cheers, Martin