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[guest]

Just turn the wireless off then I've tended not to use the wireless function on ADSL routers and use a dedicated access point instead but that's mainly for historical reasons.

My 780WL (BeBox) had it turned off and so does the Netgear I'm using on UKOnline.

Re USB modems : don't they usually have a little icon down in the system tray that tells you what speed you are synchronised at? I'm fairly sure the original one BT supplied did 

[mr_chris]

Well, without trying to labour the point, given the cost of that router.. you can always turn the wireless off. There's a light on the router itself so you can be definitely sure wireless is either on or off.

Routers are generally better than modems from a security point of view too - you are behind a firewall and so aren't solely reliant on a software firewall to protect your PC. Being software, a software firewall is potentially fallable, a semi-decent router, on the other hand, is pretty good at keeping you totally hidden from the outside world.

That particular speedtouch router is usable with the DMT tool, so you can tweak your line if you are maxdsl enabled to squeeze a bit more out of your line, if you need to. Having said that, my speedtouch I think has developed a fault, but I reckon I am just unlucky, there are plenty of people using them with no problems whatsoever. I really should contact them about that, cuz I haven't had it that long! Anyway, I digress...

Alternatively, you couldn't go far wrong with a NetGear DG834 (non-wireless version) if you are really against having wireless in your place. If you go via kitz's amazon shop linky clicky here that doesn't look a bad price and might earn kitz a couple of pennies in commission while you're at it! You can't DMT-tool the DG834 though, so I dunno how important that is to you either. But it's a nice solid router and mine has served me well and continues to do so, with no hassle whatsoever (I have the DG834G wireless version and it's great)

I would seriously consider getting a wireless one though, for the same money you can turn the wireless off, and if you ever happened to get a laptop or something, you could then turn it on and secure it properly... I know we could help to make sure your wireless was as secure as it possibly could be

Just to put your mind at rest a bit, generally people will only 'hack' open networks, i.e. those with no encryption / MAC filtering.. there are generally enough of those around to make it pointless spending time hacking a protected network anyway. So whilst I totally understand your concerns, there isn't really much of a reason NOT to get one with wireless functionality built in should you ever need it in the future (even if you don't think you ever will at the moment!).

Of course, it's up to you at the end of the day, I'm not trying to convince you either way, please don't think I am... just putting forward some points so you can make an informed decision

Hope that helps

[mr_chris]

Just to add to Rizla's post, the connection status window for the 'dial-up' connection should tell you what speed you're connected at.

Alternatively you could just post up the whole of the Dr Speedtouch log (first checking for usernames/passwords, I don't think it contains any IIRC, but just check anyway!) and we'll explain the important bits to you! I'm not sure if this forum will let you post up .xml files, but you could always save it as a .txt file!

And in response to your previous comment.. you're not wasting anyone's time - if anyone thinks it's a waste of time they won't bother responding, simple

[Floydoid]

I'm liking the idea of a router the more I think about it now... and certainly the ones on Roseway's link look reasonably priced (remembering I tend to go for the cheap & cheerful)... anyway, here's the contents of my Dr ST log... I would really appreciate a little explanation of the  'important bits'.

Dr SpeedTouch Version
Application: 1.1.0.7
Plugin: 2.2.0.4
Tested Device
000E508F80D5
Test Error
23 (2.5.1.5.1) 
Data Overview
HostDevice
OSInfo
OSName= Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OSVersion= 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OSManufacturer= Microsoft Corporation
Locale= United Kingdom
 
SystemInfo
CurrentTime= 16:02:43.843
CurrentDate= 18.10.2007
SystemModel= Product Name
SystemType= X86-based PC
Processor= x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1998 Mhz
BIOSVersion= 07/08/03
 
USBDevice
SerialToIndex
000E508F80D5= 0
 
0
DiscoverService
0
SerialNumber= 000E508F80D5
Name= ST330
 
 
USBInfoService
HCIName= VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
 
USBTopologyService
0
SerialNumber= 000E508F80D5
ProductID= 16481
VendorID= 1721
Status= DeviceConnected
DeviceReleaseNumber= 1024
 
1
SerialNumber= <unknown/>
ProductID= 49213
VendorID= 1133
Status= DeviceConnected
DeviceReleaseNumber= 8192
 
 
 
1
DiscoverService
 
USBInfoService
HCIName= VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
 
USBTopologyService
 
 
2
DiscoverService
 
USBInfoService
HCIName= VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
 
USBTopologyService
 
 
3
DiscoverService
 
USBInfoService
HCIName= VIA USB Enhanced Host Controller
 
USBTopologyService
 
 
 
LANDevice
SerialToIndex
 
0
DiscoverService
 
LANEthernetLinkConfig
PhysicalLinkStatus= Disconnected
TotalBytesSent= 4665312
TotalBytesReceived= 96539133
 
 
 
Layer3Forwarding
 
InternetConfig
ProxyEnabled= FALSE
HTTPProxy= 
SecureProxy= 
FTPProxy= 
GopherProxy= 
SocksProxy= 
HTTPPort= 0
SecurePort= 0
FTPPort= 0
GopherPort= 0
SocksPort= 0
 
Layer3InterfaceDevice
SerialToIndex
 
0
InterfaceName= WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
DHCPEnabled= FALSE
IPAddress
0
IPAddress= 79.66.253.98
SubnetMask= 255.255.255.255
 
 
DefaultGateway
0
DefaultGateway= 79.66.253.98
 
 
DNSServer
0
DNSServer= 212.139.132.4
 
1
DNSServer= 212.139.132.5
 
 
 
 
ST330
000E508F80D5
WANDevice
WANConnectionDevice
0
WANPPPConnection
0
TransportService= WANDevice.WANConnectionDevice.0.WANPPPTransport.0
DownstreamMaxBitRate= 6144000
ConnectionType= IP_Routed
ExternalDefaultGateway= 79.66.253.98
ExternalIPAddress= 79.66.253.98
ExternalIPMask= 255.255.255.255
NATEnabled= 0
Name= SpeedTouch USB ADSL PPP
RSIPAvailable= 0
PPPAuthenticationProtocol= PAP
PPPMRU= 1500
PPPMTU= 1492
UpstreamMaxBitRate= 448000
ConnectionStatus= Connected
LastConnectionError= ERROR NONE
Uptime= 32783
TotalPPPBytesReceived= 95918173
TotalPPPBytesSent= 4998176
TotalPPPSDUReceived= 78510
TotalPPPSDUSent= 76590
ExternalDNSServer
0
ExternalDNSServer= 212.139.132.4
 
1
ExternalDNSServer= 212.139.132.5
 
 
 
 
WANIPConnection
 
WANPPPTransport
 
WANDSLLinkConfig
ATMEncapsulation= VCMUX
ATMOAMStatus= 0
ATMQoSCategory= UBR
AutoConfig= 0
DestinationAddress= PVC:0/38
LinkStatus= Up
LinkType= PPPoA
ModemMode= POTS: GDMT.A
TotalAAL5AbortedFrames= 0
TotalAAL5FramesReceived= 78510
TotalAAL5FramesSent= 76590
TotalAAL5FramesTooLong= 0
TotalAAL5ReassemblyTimeout= 0
TotalATMCellsDiscarded= 0
TotalATMCellsReceived= 2061305
TotalATMCellsSent= 183619
TotalATMLBReceived= 0
TotalATMLBSent= 0
TotalATMOAMCCReceived= 0
TotalATMOAMCCSent= 0
 
 
 
WANCommonInterfaceConfig
DSLUptime= 32811
ErrorredSeconds= 1
LossOfFraming= 1
LossOfLink= 0
LossOfSignal= 1
PhysicalLinkStatus= Up
ReceiveAttenuation_dB= 25
ReceiveMargin_dB= 19
RxOutputPower_dBm= 0
SendAttenuation_dB= 15
SendMargin_dB= 16
TotalBytesReceived= 109249165
TotalBytesSent= 9731807
TotalPacketsReceived= 76590
TotalPacketsSent= 76590
TxOutputPower_dBm= 0
Uptime= 32811
ChannelMode= Interleaved
Layer1DownstreamMaxBitRate= 6144000
Layer1UpstreamMaxBitRate= 448000
WANAccessType= DSL
 
 
Layer3Forwarding
DefaultConnectionService= WANDevice.WANConnectionDevice.0.WANPPPConnection.0
ForwardingTable
 
 
DeviceInfo
ASICVersion= Sachu 3
BoardName= ADNU-F
BootloaderFlags= _N/A_
CustomizationPattern= _N/A_
FlashInfo= _N/A_
IGDModelVersion= 1.1
ProductName= SpeedTouch 330
ProductRelease= 0x0400
SerialNumber= CP0513BTYQV
SoftwareRelease= 301.0.0.12
VendorName= THOMSON
 
 

[guest]

Hmmm I reckon you should be doing a LOT better than 6Mbps down and 448kbps up. Your margins are big enough (19dB down and 16dB up) to hit at least 12Mbps downstream (15Mbps+ would be my bet).

I'm not sure why you've been interleaved unless it was by default. There is one loss of signal/loss of framing error which on a router would indicate a problem (extension wiring usually) but I'm not sure on a USB modem as it has been years since I've seen one.

You should certainly be getting the full 8Mbps service if you are on an IPStream (maxDSL) connection. On a LLU provider 12Mbps is a virtual certainty.

[mr_chris]

I'm liking the idea of a router the more I think about it now... and certainly the ones on Roseway's link look reasonably priced (remembering I tend to go for the cheap & cheerful)

They are cheap and cheerful, not sure what the deal with them is, I think it's just end of line stuff that they get in to sell off as quick as poss? I dunno... those speedtouches have been up there for months now, so if there were problems with them they probably wouldn't be there now!

... anyway, here's the contents of my Dr ST log... I would really appreciate a little explanation of the  'important bits'.

Will do my best to point out bits (in blue) to you

-----

Dr SpeedTouch Version
Application: 1.1.0.7
Plugin: 2.2.0.4
Tested Device
000E508F80D5
Test Error
23 (2.5.1.5.1) 
Data Overview
HostDevice
OSInfo
OSName= Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OSVersion= 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OSManufacturer= Microsoft Corporation
Locale= United Kingdom
 
SystemInfo
CurrentTime= 16:02:43.843
CurrentDate= 18.10.2007
SystemModel= Product Name
SystemType= X86-based PC
Processor= x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1998 Mhz
BIOSVersion= 07/08/03
 
USBDevice
SerialToIndex
000E508F80D5= 0
 
0
DiscoverService
0
SerialNumber= 000E508F80D5
Name= ST330
 
 
USBInfoService
HCIName= VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
 
USBTopologyService
0
SerialNumber= 000E508F80D5
ProductID= 16481
VendorID= 1721
Status= DeviceConnected
DeviceReleaseNumber= 1024
 
1
SerialNumber= <unknown/>
ProductID= 49213
VendorID= 1133
Status= DeviceConnected
DeviceReleaseNumber= 8192
 
 
 
1
DiscoverService
 
USBInfoService
HCIName= VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
 
USBTopologyService
 
 
2
DiscoverService
 
USBInfoService
HCIName= VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
 
USBTopologyService
 
 
3
DiscoverService
 
USBInfoService
HCIName= VIA USB Enhanced Host Controller
 
USBTopologyService
 
 
 
LANDevice
SerialToIndex
 
0
DiscoverService
 
LANEthernetLinkConfig
PhysicalLinkStatus= Disconnected
TotalBytesSent= 4665312
TotalBytesReceived= 96539133
 
 
 
Layer3Forwarding
 
InternetConfig
ProxyEnabled= FALSE
HTTPProxy= 
SecureProxy= 
FTPProxy= 
GopherProxy= 
SocksProxy= 
HTTPPort= 0
SecurePort= 0
FTPPort= 0
GopherPort= 0
SocksPort= 0
 
Layer3InterfaceDevice
SerialToIndex
 
0
InterfaceName= WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
DHCPEnabled= FALSE
IPAddress
0
IPAddress= 79.66.253.98    *this is the public IP address you've been given by your ISP
SubnetMask= 255.255.255.255
 
 
DefaultGateway
0
DefaultGateway= 79.66.253.98 * gateway (next IP hop along the path where all your traffic goes, known as the ISP's aggregator, Plusnet use Juniper Networks racks, not sure what your ISP uses)
 
 
DNSServer
0
DNSServer= 212.139.132.4 *DNS Server... for looking up names e.g. www.kitz.co.uk to IP addresses e.g. 195.62.28.175
 
1
DNSServer= 212.139.132.5 *secondary DNS server.. for when the first one fails
 
 
 
 
ST330
000E508F80D5
WANDevice
WANConnectionDevice
0
WANPPPConnection
0
TransportService= WANDevice.WANConnectionDevice.0.WANPPPTransport.0
DownstreamMaxBitRate= 6144000 *Presumably your sync speed... bit misleading as often routers report the current sync speed as well as the maximum attainable sync speed, but looks like the Speedtouch only reports the current sync speed
ConnectionType= IP_Routed
ExternalDefaultGateway= 79.66.253.98 *explained above
ExternalIPAddress= 79.66.253.98
ExternalIPMask= 255.255.255.255
NATEnabled= 0
Name= SpeedTouch USB ADSL PPP
RSIPAvailable= 0
PPPAuthenticationProtocol= PAP *This should generally be CHAP, not PAP, for ADSL, but I don't think you can change that in the Speedtouch. Routers generally have this option
PPPMRU= 1500 *Alter your MTU for tweaking to get the max speed out of your connection. Again, I'm not sure if you can alter it in your modem. Read about it here - clicky
PPPMTU= 1492
UpstreamMaxBitRate= 448000 *Your upstream sync speed, again I think this is reporting actual, not maximum theoretical, as that would probably be 832000
ConnectionStatus= Connected
LastConnectionError= ERROR NONE *yay!
Uptime= 32783 *In seconds, presumably?
TotalPPPBytesReceived= 95918173 *Bytes received and sent in this session
TotalPPPBytesSent= 4998176
TotalPPPSDUReceived= 78510 *don't know what an SDU is, sorry
TotalPPPSDUSent= 76590
ExternalDNSServer
0
ExternalDNSServer= 212.139.132.4
 
1
ExternalDNSServer= 212.139.132.5
 
 
 
 
WANIPConnection
 
WANPPPTransport
 
WANDSLLinkConfig
ATMEncapsulation= VCMUX *Encapsulation VCMUX and PVC 0/38 are the required settings for BT-wholesale ADSL in the UK. Other ADSL providers and some LLU operators use different settings. All to do with the ATM network settings and far too complex for me
ATMOAMStatus= 0
ATMQoSCategory= UBR
AutoConfig= 0
DestinationAddress= PVC:0/38
LinkStatus= Up
LinkType= PPPoA *PPP over ATM - again just what you need to know for UK BT-based ADSL
ModemMode= POTS: GDMT.A
TotalAAL5AbortedFrames= 0
TotalAAL5FramesReceived= 78510
TotalAAL5FramesSent= 76590
TotalAAL5FramesTooLong= 0
TotalAAL5ReassemblyTimeout= 0
TotalATMCellsDiscarded= 0
TotalATMCellsReceived= 2061305
TotalATMCellsSent= 183619
TotalATMLBReceived= 0
TotalATMLBSent= 0
TotalATMOAMCCReceived= 0
TotalATMOAMCCSent= 0
 
 
 
WANCommonInterfaceConfig
DSLUptime= 32811
ErrorredSeconds= 1 *These errors don't really tell us much about the state of your connection. A router would provide more details as regards to individual numbers of errors on the line - but given you've only had one errored second, you're doing ok!
LossOfFraming= 1
LossOfLink= 0
LossOfSignal= 1
PhysicalLinkStatus= Up
ReceiveAttenuation_dB= 25 *Otherwise known as downstream attenuation, the loss on your line as expressed in dB. Pretty directly related to line length. The higher the value the slower max speed you'll get. Yours seems pretty good
ReceiveMargin_dB= 19 *Otherwise known as the downstream SNR Margin. Amount of decent electrical signal compared to amount of noise on the line. Generally the higher the better, but sometimes BT's systems can push it too high, which means you don't sync as fast as you perhaps could do
RxOutputPower_dBm= 0
SendAttenuation_dB= 15 *Same as above, but for upstream, generally a lot less critical as I don't often hear of people having problems with upstream ADSL. Again, looks pretty healthy
SendMargin_dB= 16
TotalBytesReceived= 109249165
TotalBytesSent= 9731807
TotalPacketsReceived= 76590
TotalPacketsSent= 76590
TxOutputPower_dBm= 0
Uptime= 32811
ChannelMode= Interleaved *Interleaved or Fast Path. Interleaved is the default applied to connections since shortly after ADSL Max became widespread. Interleaving swaps the packets around in such a way that on a noisy line that is susceptible to bursts of interference, the efficiency of data transfer is less impaired than if Interleaving is off. Explanation here - clicky!
Layer1DownstreamMaxBitRate= 6144000
Layer1UpstreamMaxBitRate= 448000
WANAccessType= DSL
 
 
Layer3Forwarding
DefaultConnectionService= WANDevice.WANConnectionDevice.0.WANPPPConnection.0
ForwardingTable
 
 
DeviceInfo
ASICVersion= Sachu 3
BoardName= ADNU-F
BootloaderFlags= _N/A_
CustomizationPattern= _N/A_
FlashInfo= _N/A_
IGDModelVersion= 1.1
ProductName= SpeedTouch 330
ProductRelease= 0x0400
SerialNumber= CP0513BTYQV
SoftwareRelease= 301.0.0.12
VendorName= THOMSON
 
-----

Whew, hope that's helped somewhat! Didn't realise the log had so much repeated information in it!!

[Floydoid]

Have run Dr TCP and entered the values MTU=1430 and RWIN=166800  - what this is going to do I've no idea.

[roseway]

That's what I like to see - an adventurous chap

Seriously though, Chris has done a fine job explaining bits of your log, and I can't really add anything to it.

[guest]

I can't help wondering if the limiting factor on his connection is actually the USB device. He should surely be getting the full 8Mbps with those stats?

[Floydoid]

The flashing computers in the systray suggest i'm getting a speed of 6.1 Mbps.

IIRC before I had the problems a few months back (and was offline for a week) I was getting the full 8 Mbps.

[guest]

I'm new to these forums so could you summarise what your problems were?

[Floydoid]

Here's the thread about it: http://forum.kitz.co.uk/index.php/topic,759.0.html

[guest]

Hmm its been a while but I remember error 721 all too well on BT Openworld (2001). Your margin suggests that someone was  bumping up your noise margin to see whether that fixed your problem. I doubt it did.

Do you know if you are on a BT-based service or is your connection a LLU one?

Edit - if you weren't with Tiscali I'd suggest asking for the downstream margin to be reduced to 9dB. Its probably worth a try with them too but I suspect it'll take several phonecalls

[Floydoid]

Actually I find that Tiscali support is OK when you get past those morons on front line support (uninstall your modem, reinstall it, reboot windows, etc etc).

[guest]

It's getting past first line that is becoming more and more of an issue these days

Anyway I reckon someone has bumped up your margin. 19dB downstream margin AND interleaved is taking the proverbial really.