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    How to troubleshoot internet speed ?

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    • N
      netboy
      last edited by

      I have a 1GB fiber with static IP.
      I constantly get around 700 Mbps download and around 900 Mbps upload using fast.com
      I emailed our internet provide and they told me they verified that I am getting 1GB at the ONT end - This clearly proves the slowing is at my end.
      Is 700 Mbps download for 1GB internet speed the norm before I get postal?
      What are the ways I can troubleshoot at my end what is slowing my internet down?
      (I am not a network expert)

      S J 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • S
        SteveITS Galactic Empire @netboy
        last edited by

        @netboy About 940 Mbps is the max possible on a 1000 Mbps connection, with overhead.

        Take a look at:
        https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/troubleshooting/low-throughput.html

        Frequent solutions are changing cables, or putting a switch in between pfSense and the ISP router.

        Try other sites, for instance speedtest.com or search "speed test" on Google for theirs. Try at off peak times...avoid 6pm-midnight. 3-5 am is probably best for speed testing but not very user friendly. :)

        Pre-2.7.2/23.09: Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
        When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to restart, or more depending on packages and device speed.
        Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

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        • N
          netboy @SteveITS
          last edited by

          @SteveITS said in How to troubleshoot internet speed ?:

          putting a switch in between pfSense and the ISP router.

          Can you kindly explain this fix?

          S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • S
            SteveITS Galactic Empire @netboy
            last edited by

            @netboy Sometimes it seems to help people. As in, the pfSense NIC and ISP router don't communicate well, or the pfSense NIC sees the ISP router drop offline. Just something to try.

            Pre-2.7.2/23.09: Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
            When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to restart, or more depending on packages and device speed.
            Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • J
              Jarhead @netboy
              last edited by Jarhead

              @netboy said in How to troubleshoot internet speed ?:

              This clearly proves the slowing is at my end.

              That's not exactly true. Most of the "tech support" you speak to are just someone hired to answer the phone and all they do is check that your service is configured for the speed you're paying for.
              Always do your due diligence regardless of what they tell you .

              johnpozJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • johnpozJ
                johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator @Jarhead
                last edited by johnpoz

                @Jarhead ^exactly.. Also where are they testing to - a server right in their network. Vs where your testing too - they could have bad peering or congested peering between their network and where you test too..

                Plug your box directly into their device, test speed for starters..

                I would also test to multiple locations and different testing.. Browsers can sometimes be problematic - if your using speedtest for example, if using speedtest try their app.. Use different machines..

                Before you go all crazy on them.. Make sure you have covered all the bases that its not your equipment, etc.. Keep in mind their paperwork for your connection is going to have a * and says up to.. ;)

                If I was paying for gig, and seeing only 700 I would for sure look into why.. But just because they say they see gig, doesn't mean there isn't something wrong..

                An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

                N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • N
                  netboy @johnpoz
                  last edited by

                  @johnpoz said in How to troubleshoot internet speed ?:

                  Plug your box directly into their device, test speed for starters..

                  Yes I want to connect directly to ONT and see how much I get. Unfortunately my laptop (which has gigabit NIC) is setup in my office with concealed wiring et all and it pain to remove and test ....All my other laptops have slower NIC. Just wondering what to do...

                  johnpozJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • johnpozJ
                    johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator @netboy
                    last edited by

                    @netboy Not really understanding what sort of setup that would prevent you from moving a laptop for simple test.. Isn't it just connected to a dock. I work from home and have my "work" station all setup, multiple monitors, sep keyboard and mouse, etc. And would take me all of 2 minutes to move it an connect to to my modem directly..

                    Do you not have another patch cable? For gig all that is required is cat 5 even.. You can pick up a patch cable for a couple of bucks.

                    So your all concerned with your speed, and ready to unleash the dogs of war on your isp.. But you can't move your laptop because its all setup how you like it? ;)

                    An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                    If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                    Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                    SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

                    N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • N
                      netboy @johnpoz
                      last edited by

                      @johnpoz said in How to troubleshoot internet speed ?:

                      Not really understanding what sort of setup that would prevent you from moving a laptop

                      I have 17" dell Alienware with heavy duty brick (hidden in my wire management setup) - Hate to move it....Here is the picture!
                      51ae6b89-204d-4de1-aed3-eecfcf10f425-setup.jpg

                      johnpozJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • johnpozJ
                        johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator @netboy
                        last edited by johnpoz

                        @netboy said in How to troubleshoot internet speed ?:

                        with heavy duty brick (hidden in my wire management setup)

                        Still not getting it - laptops don't need to be plugged into power to work.. At least not for the amount of time required to do a speed test ;)

                        If your saying the doc is what has the ethernet connection? So buy a ethernet dongle - like maybe 15$ tops ;) hehehe - Order on amazon prob be there tmrw.. And there you go 15 bucks prob money well spent before you unleash the dogs and bring down holy hell fire on your isp ;)

                        An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                        If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                        Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                        SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

                        N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • N
                          netboy @johnpoz
                          last edited by

                          @johnpoz You are right....let me do it

                          N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • N
                            netboy @netboy
                            last edited by netboy

                            @netboy @netboy Ok this is what I tested:

                            Connected from ONT (Bypass netgate router) DIRECTLY to laptop and I do not get any internet! Mine is static IP. Why? I am speechless - I am sure I am not understanding something. (Is the ISP tied to mac address to my router???)

                            Fiber modem connected to netgate and a network cable connected from modem to laptop - Get around 100Mbps download ?????

                            I took my laptop to my office and I get 765Mbps download

                            Very confused

                            S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • S
                              SteveITS Galactic Empire @netboy
                              last edited by

                              @netboy Some ISP routers do lock onto the MAC. Try powering it off.

                              Pre-2.7.2/23.09: Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
                              When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to restart, or more depending on packages and device speed.
                              Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

                              N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • N
                                netboy @SteveITS
                                last edited by netboy

                                @SteveITS A question to you experts.
                                When I connect directly from modem to my laptop (bypass switch) why I am getting only 100 Mbps - Is the network cable at fault?

                                S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • S
                                  SteveITS Galactic Empire @netboy
                                  last edited by

                                  @netboy Could be. Check status/interfaces for link speed and full duplex, and change patch cables.

                                  Pre-2.7.2/23.09: Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
                                  When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to restart, or more depending on packages and device speed.
                                  Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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