Topic: What is line profiling?

[Simon]

My limited knowledge tells me that your profile is screwed, Clive.  This could be as a result of frequent disconnections, or instability of the connection, or of noise or other problems on the line.  Basically, it's the BT software determining how fast your connection can go, while remaining stable.  To drop from your previous profile, which wasn't too bad, to this, indicates a fairly major issue somewhere, but as you say, Rik is the best one to talk to.

[Clive]

Thanks Simon.  The BT engineer called out yesterday armed with a laptop which he connnected straight into my BB socket and claimed that he could get 4.7 Mb without any problem.  So he was lying through his teeth!   

[Simon]

Unless there's a problem with your computer?    Have you tried rebooting the router?

[Rik]

Another one for Rik methinks: 

BT Speedtest results:


Your DSL connection rate: 4128 kbps(DOWN-STREAM),  448 kbps(UP-STREAM)
    IP profile for your line is - 750 kbps
    Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 698 kbps

But what do they mean?     The ISP Review test claims I'm getting 680 Kbs

It means that your line has been unstable, disconnecting repeatedly, Clive, and at some point it re-connected in the 864-1151kbps range. If you can maintain your current connection, the profile will increase to 3500kbps sometime in the next five days. Throughput is about right for the profile you have.

[Rik]

Thanks Simon.  The BT engineer called out yesterday armed with a laptop which he connnected straight into my BB socket and claimed that he could get 4.7 Mb without any problem.  So he was lying through his teeth!   

Not necessarily. I've seen a 1000kbps gain in speed just by changing router. He will have used a laptop and USB modem, so no noisy power bricks, which are often an issue.

[Clive]

Thanks Rik.  I have to say that I haven't noticed any disconnections during this present troublesome period.  The last time the BT engineer called with his laptop and claimed astonishing speeds compared to mine, the problem was rectified at the exchange the very next day.   

Spookily, the fault has one again been rectified within 24 hours and my latest results are as follows:


    Your DSL connection rate: 4128 kbps(DOWN-STREAM),  448 kbps(UP-STREAM)
    IP profile for your line is - 3500 kbps
    Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 3293 kbps

No doubt it will collapse again next week.   

 

[Rik]

I suspect the engineer has reset the profile having tested. Does your router log disconnections, Clive?

[Clive]

I've just had a phone call from India to ask for a progress report.  I was told that a 'lift and shift' has been carried out and the problem is now solved.  During his testing of the line my phone and BB became disconnected and my speed has now dropped to 2.7 Mb.   

[Rik]

A lift and shift would be followed by a re-set of the profile, Clive, so that makes sense. If the line was disconnected at this time of day, chances are that noise levels are high, so you'd get a slower sync speed. Try a re-boot in the morning.

[Simon]

That would be a reboot of the router, Rik, yes?

[Clive]

Thanks very much Rik.  

[Rik]

Yes, sorry, re-boot the router (make a note of your stats immediately after doing so).

[Clive]

I've checked the Hub stats but there doesn't appear to be a disconnection log.  Interestingly there is a very comprehensive intrusion log which thankfully records zero for all types of intrusions.  What exactly is a 'lift and shift' Rik?   

[Simon]

I wonder if it's similar to a 'nip and tuck'?   

[Clive]

 

After a re-boot, my stats today are:

  Your DSL connection rate: 3776 kbps(DOWN-STREAM),  448 kbps(UP-STREAM)
    IP profile for your line is - 6500 kbps
    Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 2886 kbps