Buffering issue....I think. [ Edited ]

[yuckypants]

When I'm downloading files of fairly substantial size (~50 MB) or more, the download pauses almost like the connection is dropped. Now I use firefox, so I can pause and resume the download to get it going again, however it doesn't always work. I run a network meter gadget and I can verify that my connection remains active (I can browse the internet during, etc), but the download and internet activity ceases.

This was especially difficult when I was trying to download an update to gamesforwindowslive. The file was ~500GB and it would pause 1/2 way through and then gfwl would produce an error.

Currently, I'm downloading a game from Origin (a steam like service provided by EA) and every 5 minutes or so, I have to pause and resume the download. The activity goes from appx 1.2MB/s to 0. In addition, this is not only limited to downloaded files. Youtube and other media streaming services continually "pause." They are not buffering, as no new data is being downloaded. I typically have to refresh the page or move the slider on the bar to get it going again.

I'm on FTTP, so unfortunately, there is no info to provide in the error table, or bitloading tabs. Here is the IP/Profile info anyway (although I know there's nothing of importance listed here.

Lastly, I keep getting mailers to upgrade my speed to 24/3, but AT&T (even tier 2) has absolutely no idea why they can't change my speed. The highest I'm able to get is 18. However, I don't actually get 18 when I'm signed up for it. I only get 13. So I dropped it down to 12 and I get 11.5. I'm practically on top of the VRAD, so they don't quite understand. Could it be my gateway?

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

Two issues:

1. 18/1.5 Mbps is the maximum available Internet package for FTTP connections. Internally, the ONT fiber termination device for FTTP connections has a maximum raw profile of 30/3, which is insufficient to allow the 24/3 Internet package.

2. Getting download pauses every 5 minutes is indicative of a specific anomaly in the DHCP renewal process of the 2Wire routers. Do you have your own router set up behind the 2Wire, perhaps a router that is running DD-WRT or some other aftermarket firmware?

If so, you need to make an adjustment to the router's firewall. See the following thread:

http://forums.att.com/t5/Setup-and-Self-Install/Internet-drops-cuts-out-every-5-10-mins-or-so-Get-bo...

[yuckypants]

1. Thanks, AT&T was unable to articulate that to me. At least I know now that there is no future upgrade.

2. I am only using the gateway provided by AT&T. I am not using any routers in my setup.

What specific anomaly in DHCP renewal process are you referring to? Something that has been addressed and has not yet been fixed? Since I'm not using an additional router, is there something I can do?

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

The bug in the DHCP renewal process is that the 2Wire gateway responds to renewal packets from the incorrect source IP address. Many routers may block the renewal packet due to this, which causes DHCP leases to time out.

Do you have any firewall software on your computer? Temporarily disable it to see if that may be the issue.

[yuckypants]

I use the Windows firewall. I'll disable, test, and report back.

If this resolves the problem, is there a specific port to open so this issue can be mitigated?

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

Yes, if disabling your firewall resolves the issue, I'll post that.

[yuckypants]

Ok, unfortunately, no change.

I tested a 200MB download with the firewall enabled and then with it disabled. It took approximately 5 minutes for the download to stop with the firewall enabled. 

I disabled the firewall, re-requested the file and this time it was less than 1 minute before the download stopped.

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

It is possible that your gateway is having some sort of issue, or possibly that the gateway is defective.

Try a factory reset of the gateway using the reset button at the bottom of the following page:

http://192.168.1.254/xslt?PAGE=C_5_7

Use the button at the bottom that says "Reset to Factory Default state". This may correct the issue. If it doesn't, then call tech support and have them send you a new gateway.

Before you do the factory reset, if you have made any special settings on the gateway like wireless or firewall settings, you will need to write them down so that you can put them back in after the factory reset.

[yuckypants]

I will try that now.

If I do need to request another gateway, how would I explain to them that it has already been through troubleshooting and has been determined to be defective?

I will report back here in a few minutes once a factory reset has been completed.

[yuckypants]

I Performed a factory reset on the gateway.

Unfortunately, there is no change. I tried to download the file with the firewall active and deactivated. Both hung up once I hit 100MB.

So, next option would be to contact AT&T and attempt to obtain a replacement gateway.

As I mentioned in my previous post, how would I properly articulate my problem? I have a feeling that if I were to explain to teir 1 support about my DHCP lease renewal issues that I'd be met with blank stares. 

Thanks for your help so far.

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

I would just describe the symptoms ... that your downloads always stop within 5 minutes, and that you've already performed a factory reset on the gateway which didn't help.

One other test you might want to do is to try the download on a different computer ... that way you can definitely isolate the problem to the service rather than your equipment.

[yuckypants]

Thanks for your input. I'll check with my other computer shortly.

I appreciate the info!

[yuckypants]

It appears that I fixed my issue. I took your advice and checked on my other computers, and it worked! However, it did not work while I was using VM on my desktop, so it clearly seemed to be originating from my ethernet adapter.

I first checked the settings inside the adapter properties to ensure that the computer had the appropriate configuration. I disabled allowing the computer to turn the adapter off, green ethernet, and another power control setting. This did not work, so I updated the driver to the latest release. This alone did not work either, so I manipulated another property. Jumbo frames. Adjusting this setting to 9000bytes has seemed to rectify my situation. I have tested and retested under different scenarios and it still seems to be functioning optimally.

So my question is this: Will enabling 9000 bytes on jumbo frames have an adverse effect on my system?

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

Ahhh ... this may indicate an MTU issue. What OS is being used on the desktop or VM that is having the downloading problem?

Windows (and most other OS's) use a mechanism called PMTU discovery to determine the MTU of the path that they're communicating on. PMTU relies on being able to properly send and receive ICMP packets of several types, but particularly the ICMP Packet-Too-Big type.

Please make sure your router, host machine, and guest VM are not blocking any ICMP packets with a firewall or other security software.

Jumbo frames may create issues with that computer being unable to communicate with other computers on the LAN that don't have jumbo frames enabled. It would be best if you could find the underlying issue and turn jumbo frames back off.

[yuckypants]

I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit on my desktop.

The VM is VMware Player and it's running Windows 7 Enterprise 64bit.

I don't believe it's the firewall on the desktop (host) computer because the problem still existed when I disabled the firewall entirely. I disabled the firewall on the VM and it behaved exactly as the desktop computer did too.

I am only using the 3801HGV. I do not have an additional router.

My gateway settings are set to the default in the advanced firewall configuration.

Enhanced Security:

• Stealth mode (checked)
• Block Ping (checked) -- I know these are IMCP packets, but they are tiny
• Strict UDP Session Control (unchecked)
• UDP Session Timeout: 600
• TCP Session Timeout 86400

Outbound Protocol Control

• HTTP (checked)
• HTTPS (checked)
• FTP (checked)
• Telnet (checked)
• SMTP (checked)
• DNS (checked)
• NetBIOS (unchecked)
• POP3 (checked)
• IMAP (checked)
• NNTP (checked)
• IRC (checked)
• H323 (checked)
• All other protocols (checked)

Inbound

• NetBIOS (unchecked)

Attack Detection

• Excessive Session Detection (unchecked)
• TCP/UDP Port Scan (checked)
• Invalid Source/Destination IP address (checked)
• Packet Flood (unchecked)
• Invalid TCP flag attacks (checked)
• Invalid ICMP Detection (checked)
• Misc (checked)

Thanks SomeJoe!

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

OK, just as a test, let's try this:

1. Under Enhanced Security, uncheck the 3 boxes.
2. Under Attack Detection, uncheck everything.
3. Disable the Jumbo Frames support on the Ethernet card and reboot both the VM and the host.

Now try your downloads and see what happens.

[yuckypants]

Wouldn't all my computers experience the same issues if it was related the the RG?

1. I first tried your suggestions and the file downloaded flawlessly.

2. I re-checked all the boxes, but left jumbo frames off (as instructed) and retested the download.....and it worked. It should'nt have worked.

3. I even rebooted (although no changes were made to the computer) and retested to ensure a quality sample was recorded. During the file download, I caused the browser to hang for a moment. I noticed the file download hung also, but once the browser regained composure, the file resumed without any input from me.

The real kicker, is that I just reinstalled the OS about 2 weeks ago (added a SSD), so many of my settings are stock (practically an oobe.)

It's possible that when I reinstalled the updated adapter drivers that I solved the problem, but I didn't reboot until I modified the jumbo frames.

I suppose I will continue to use it until the problem rears its head again. If so, I will modify the checkboxes on the rg and retest. Thanks, you've been a tremendous help thus far.

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

No problem, I'm glad you've found some paths that are helping the issue.

The main problem is that for many of these settings on the RG's firewall, we don't know exactly what they do at the network level. The RG has plenty of bugs in it and the designers of it's firmware have shown their willingness to violate RFCs on a whim, so I'm not at all surprised that one or more of those settings can break something that otherwise shouldn't ordinarily break.