Another router thread! Broadcom Chipsets

tlrBeta

tlrBeta

tlrBeta

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Hi,

I realise there is a number of router threads currently open but I would like some help understanding broadcom chipsets.

I currently use a Netgear DG834G v3 ADSL Modem Router. Having seen recent threads on this forum regarding different chipsets, by the sounds of it my router isn't the best for ADSL 2 connections.

I am now in the process of moving to Zen Internet, as such I am looking to maximising speed as much as possible.

Could someone explain or point me in the right direction of what has changed on newer routers to help them sync faster. I imagine the broadcomm chipset applys to the wireless side of things? Off the back of that, any other router recommendations would be great.

Thanks,

Mike
 
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A lot of ADSL2+ equipment in BT exchanges use Broadcom chipsets and as such it's always best to match up customer-side equipment with the same chip.

The DG834Gv4, DG834GT and a couple of others (Google it) use Broadcom hardware.
 
matching the chipset of the router to the chips which are used on the DSLAM at the exchange can help get a higher and more stable sync speed on your line.

i.e. I am with O2 which uses broadcom chipsets in their DSLAM's and I got a TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless N ADSL2+ Modem Router (TD-W8960N) a couple of weeks ago and my sync speed went from around 19000 to 20000, which isn't a big increase but every little bit helps. :)
 
Hi,

Thanks for the info, I will take a look at the routers you mentioned above.

As I said I am in the process of moving away from Nildram / Opal to Zen Internet based on reviews - It was between them and Be.

Below I have added my current stats, which according to some stats sites I have pretty rubbish speed.

Connection Speed: 9912 Down / 715 Up
Line Attenuation: 25db / 4.5db
Noise Margin: 7 db / 11 db

Does any one have any comments on this?

Cheers
 
25db attenuation, you should be syncing at around 18mb~, so double what you are now.

Have you checked to make sure your wiring is all good, that every socket with a phone attached is going through a filter, and that the ring wire is disconnected?
 
Well, that's exactly what I have found on websites! :-(

As far as I know all the wiring is good, I have disconnected the ring wire at the master socket / it was already disconnected.

I use wireless handsets so it is only the one socket with a phone attached, which of course has a filter on.

Any more ideas appreciated as I am stuck! :-/
 
tlrBeta said:
Well, that's exactly what I have found on websites! :-(

As far as I know all the wiring is good, I have disconnected the ring wire at the master socket / it was already disconnected.

I use wireless handsets so it is only the one socket with a phone attached, which of course has a filter on.

Any more ideas appreciated as I am stuck! :-/
Click to expand...

Tried the test socket? Even if there's no phone attached the wiring apparently acts as an aerial.
 
Tried this already, no difference in sync speeds :-/

After some research, I have found there was previously an ADDITIONAL business adsl line connected through my same phone line. So I imagine they used a different pair? One phone line, two adsl services.

One: My personal line - Nildram
Two: Business straight into a company VPN.

Having no idea how this works, could this be a possible cause of my problems?
 
Yeah, they'd use a different pair. Your connection is very poor, perhaps the modem is on its way out, or faulty equipment in the exchange?

Guess we'll see what happens when you move provider!
 
How come you didn't go Be?

Best ISP by far...

Also, the DG834G v3 has a TI AR7 chipset. Have you tried updating the firmware?

Generally as stated broadcom routers sync higher and are more stable for your connection, but ISPs usually have profiles to set for non broadcom routers...
 
Swifty55 said:
How come you didn't go Be?

Best ISP by far...

Also, the DG834G v3 has a TI AR7 chipset. Have you tried updating the firmware?

Generally as stated broadcom routers sync higher and are more stable for your connection, but ISPs usually have profiles to set for non broadcom routers...
Click to expand...

To be honest I went on speed reports from thinkbroadband. Yes Be and Zen are very close though. I am tempted to cancel the Zen move and go with Be.

I have updated the firmware and tried DG Team sets but no differences.

As for possible problems on the exchange, I guess I will have to wait until I am connected.

Thanks,

Mike
 
I cancelled my Zen move, as I would like more time to setup some e-mail forwarding from my Opal account (if they pull there finger out), secondly Be seem to be pretty close and more good reviews for them.

Once I start the move again, I will post up how I get on with my line / performance.

Mike
 
So...Zen didn't cancel my migration and I was moved across (long story). So for the moment I am connected to Zen, due to Zen error, but I will more then likely be migrating (AGAIN) to Be.

In the mean time, it has enabled be to get some speed tests done etc.



Router Stats:

Downstream Connection Speed: 10938 kbps
Line Attenuation: 23 db
Noise Margin: 6 db

Upstream: 1083 kbps
Line Attenuation: 4 db
Noise Margin: 6 db

So already some improvement on sync speed and a lot on UPLOAD through put. The downstream throughput seems to be the same.

Also, my ping to UK Gaming servers has now halved :)
 
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That's a rubbish sync for 23db attenuation, as said many posts ago you should be seeing nearly double that.

Suppose it's best to wait until you're on Be, then we can do some fault finding if things don't sort themselves out.
 
Ok...I was thinking maybe I should stay with Zen (Fibre end of Dec) but I have now ordered a Be 3 month contract, the Be box (assume its a modem) is on it's way.

Let's hope for a Monday activation date :)
 
So here we have it, migrated to BeThere, now running a DG834GT Router, stats below:

Download Sync: 11582kbps
Line Attenuation: 23.5 db
Noise: 6.4db

Upload Sync: 1278kbps
Line Attenuation: 13.0db
Noise: 6.6db

 
Still poor, that's the sync I get with 38.5db attenuation on a 6db setting, I get 13500 on 3db.

You should have close to double that sync :-/
 
tlrBeta said:
So here we have it, migrated to BeThere, now running a DG834GT Router, stats below:

Download Sync: 11582kbps
Line Attenuation: 23.5 db
Noise: 6.4db
Click to expand...

Apologies if you've said already, but have you:

1.) Tried the master socket, under the internal face plate (the test socket, basically)

2.) Do you have a microfilter on every extension in your house

3.) If yes to the above, have you tried a different filter, just in case yours is faulty?

There's definitely an issue on your line, it's just a case of fault finding.
 
You're best off using the supplied router from Be, or buying a better modem/router with a broadcom chipset.

The supplied routers are actually very decent, try that and post your stats.
 
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