A way to use logs to test ISP/modem stability?

debesty · Dec 25, 2020, 2:31 AM

(Pardon my general ignorance, I'm fairly new to pfSense.)

I replaced my old Wi-Fi router with a pfSense (Community edition on a Dell PC) box because I suspected that the old cheap router had been the source of annoying pauses in streaming (all devices, both WiFi and wired, would show simultaneous loss of connection for a minute or longer). However, after replacing the router, these periodic cutouts continue to happen, which suggests the issue is elsewhere. These problems could be on the LAN side of the router (a problematic device on my LAN, or my cheap TP-Link switch), but it seems more likely that the instability is on the WAN side. I guess I'm looking how to get evidence of this.

I have figured out the pfSense interface to find "Status / System Logs / System / Gateways", and I have seen that if I physically pull the network cable from the modem, I get entries in that log that show "sendto error: 65" to an IP address at my ISP until I plug it back in. However, I have not seen any other entries in that log that line up with the time periods for when I have these unexplained interruptions in my service. But could it be that the interruptions are not "at the same layer" (pardon my very rudimentary knowledge of the OSI model) as is monitored by the Gateway logs?

Is there a better way for me to use pfSense to monitor the stability of my connection to the Internet, through my ISP? For example, I'm thinking I could set up something that sends a ping to 8.8.8.8 every second, and logs only when it fails (and then I can compare those to the timeframes of my observed network interruptions)? If so, is there a tutorial on how I might do that? Or, perhaps it's easier than all that, and someone can point me in the correct direction? Either way, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

Gertjan · Dec 25, 2020, 2:56 PM

@debesty : Go System > Routing > Gateways and pick your WAN interface.
Hit the advanced button.

This is what 'dpinger' does : it pings your gateway - or even 8.8.8.8 - and draws stats; see Status > Monitoring, select Quality left and your WAN interface right.

stephenw10 · Dec 25, 2020, 2:59 PM

Yes, edit the WAN gateway in System > Routing > Gateways and set a public IP, like 8.8.8.8, as the monitoring target.
Then check the Status > Monitoring : Quality graphs and you will see any packet loss or latency.

Steve