Slow Upload Speed on Gigabit Connection

Pointed · Apr 28, 2020, 2:53 AM

Hello!

I'm a brand new user to pfSense so please forgive me if I miss the simple stuff.

I've finally got my connection up and running but I'm only seeing around a third of the upload performance that I was experiencing before.

I'm running my custom built pfSense box as my router. Specs are below.

ONT > pfSense > Desktop

pfSense PC
Version: 2.4.5
CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 2200G @ 2.3Ghz
16GB RAM
Intel 4 port Ethernet Adapter
ASRock B450M-HDV Motherboard

I have my WAN IPv4 config'd to PPPoE w/ IPv6 config'd to DHCP6. I also have the CenturyLink VLAN 201 tagging setup associated with the WAN connection.

The LAN interface is already reporting full-duplex and I'm unsure of what other changes I can attempt to resolve the issue.

Please let me know if any other information is required.

DaddyGo · Apr 28, 2020, 11:06 AM

Are you absolutely sure you have a 1000/1000 ISP package?
Because at first glance it looks like an asymmetric FTTH GPON service. (for example 1000 / 300)

I would do that first: by skipping the new pfSense box from the chain, I would connect directly to ISP service with laptop or desktop and measure speed.

Sorry to start too amateurish, but it's good to know the system from the beginning.

BR,Kris

Pointed · Apr 28, 2020, 11:57 PM

@DaddyGo said in Slow Upload Speed on Gigabit Connection:

Are you absolutely sure you have a 1000/1000 ISP package?
Because at first glance it looks like an asymmetric FTTH GPON service. (for example 1000 / 300)

Hey @DaddyGo. Thank you for your reply. I do indeed have a 1000/1000 connection as I was using a CenturyLink provided router prior to switching over to my own build. Reconnecting that equipment in place of the pfSense router brings the speeds back up to the expected speeds.

DaddyGo · Apr 29, 2020, 10:10 AM

What hardware do you use for pfSense box?
1Gig / 1Gig speed assumes proper devices.

bmeeks · Apr 29, 2020, 12:19 PM

There are two things I recommend you check.

First, verify that the speed/duplex settings are matching on both ends. Everything should be set to auto-negotiate and the pfSense side should show 1000-Full with zero errors when looking at the STATUS > INTERFACES page.

Second, I seem to recall that some of the fiber-based ISPs require funky VLAN tagging for users to get the correct "experience" over their connection. Don't know for sure about Centurylink, but a quick Google search indicates there are some special steps you have to take with VLAN tagging when you use a third-party device (meaning not the one they provide you).

I don't remember which one, but one of the Gigabit fiber providers in the U.S. had their system configured so that without the proper VLAN tagging on packets the subscriber's speed was throttled.

alpineaudio · Apr 29, 2020, 2:20 PM

I followed this article https://forum.netgate.com/topic/83139/pppoe-on-wan-link-for-centurylink-gigabit-service/37 to set up mine as last I knew CL still does require vlan tagging.

bmeeks · Apr 29, 2020, 3:17 PM

@alpineaudio said in Slow Upload Speed on Gigabit Connection:

I followed this article https://forum.netgate.com/topic/83139/pppoe-on-wan-link-for-centurylink-gigabit-service/37 to set up mine as last I knew CL still does require vlan tagging.

I found a couple of links (admittedly from 2016 or so) on Google where users of Centurylink service were describing how to get third-party router devices working without needing the ISP-provided hardware. I don't live in an area that has any Gigabit service. In my small town I feel super fortunate to just have 100/10 service over cable coax. So I have no personal experience with Centurylink. Just relaying what some quick Google research found. It's also possible that Centurylink has altered how they provision circuits from then to now.

It's weird that just your upload is not correct. That would normally scream "provisioning error" on the ISP's side, but you say removing the pfSense box gets you the correct upload. So another avenue to look into thoroughly is whether or not you have (or ever had) any limiters or traffic shaping configured in pfSense. This might be biting you if you did.

DaddyGo · May 1, 2020, 9:17 AM

Save your current settings and try to measure your speed with a near "clean" pfSense configuration.

Clean= do not run resource-intensive applications + VPNs + serious, difficult rule system

I agree with Bill, when downloading the speed is okay, then what happens when uploading. They do not tend to move so asymmetrically........

Pointed · May 21, 2020, 6:26 AM

SOLVED... ?

I have been busy with work and due to Covid, I couldn't get in touch with CenturyLink tech support to verify the speed on the account.

I changed literally nothing except rebooting a few times and the issue resolved itself. I wish I could have some insight into what caused this problem.

DaddyGo · May 21, 2020, 9:27 AM

That seems good enough.....

Did you follow the suggested description of @alpineaudio anyway, as a check or just restarted the system?
There are a lot of good things in the previous post, also for fine tuning ( https://forum.netgate.com/topic/83139/pppoe-on-wan-link-for-centurylink-gigabit-service/37)

Pointed · May 21, 2020, 9:43 AM

I already had the VLAN tagging setup and referenced in my first post. The walk-through I followed was a great resource.

https://ratil.life/pfsense-with-centurylink-1gb-fiber/

The only custom config I had running this whole time is Dynamic DNS. No other applications, VPN, or other add-on packages. I was convinced that the hardware was to blame...

DaddyGo · May 21, 2020, 9:50 AM

I thought of it as fine tuning: Path to file: /boot/loader.conf.local..........................

and these as well: System -> Advanced -> Miscellaneous -> Power Savings
Check "Enable PowerD" and set to "Maximum" or Hiadaptive" for all power states..........................

Anyway, I'm glad you solved the problem.

PS:Unfortunately, I can't open the link, so I don't know how good a description you found.