• Interleaving < Fast Path (Or: How to improve pings for us brits.)
    26 replies, posted
Even though you've changed routers, read guides, ran software and upgraded hardware, your pings are still pretty high. Sounds like you need to change something on your line. Example: [IMG]http://www.speedtest.net/result/1116735025.png[/img] (My connection to belgium, pre change.) While 42 isn't that bad, I've seen better, in the ranges of 20-30 from people in the UK. EDIT: Here's today's result, interleaving off. [img]http://www.speedtest.net/result/1117925389.png[/img] Much better, however I must note that the test to Belgium was somewhat unstable, jolting all over the place from 5-6 mbps. So, you may be wondering "How do I lower it then?" Simple. A phone call to your ISP, but first, you need to find out if you're on an Interleaved line or not. That can be found somewhere on your routers' connection info. If you are, then great! We'll continue. Otherwise, you may have to look at switching ISP but that's somewhat extreme. Once you've found out, call your ISP's support line and ask for your line to be switched from Interleaved to FastPath/Non-Interleaved. If you're lucky and their call centers' are in the UK, it should be pretty straightforward, and they'll get it done quite quickly (well, forwarding the request to BT will be, but as for BT, that's another matter :v:). Otherwise, explain to them it's to help lower the pings for online gaming - Might make them understand. From there, it'll take between a day and a week for them to switch it. It varies depending on your exchange, where you are and when you call them. Things to be aware of: I've only ever known this to be done on BT lines, so your ISP will either need to be with BT, a subsidary of BT (like PlusNet), or have their lines rented from BT. Do not hold this to me however. With interleaving off, you will notice a slightly higher upload speed and a little to no reduction in download speeds. FINALLY, Only do this if your line is currently stable. If you are already experiencing dropouts/bouts of random lag spikes or other signs of line instability, then it is reccomended that you DO NOT DO THIS. This may or may not work outside of the UK/EU and this may or may not work with all connection types (ADSL/Cable etc.). As always, seek parental permission before doing this, unless your parents are computer illiterate (and think they know things). (For those that want to know more, you can go [url=http://forums.hexus.net/networking-broadband/152831-if-you-dont-know-what-fastpath-read.html]here.[/url])
Pro Tip: If you're using BE*, I'm pretty sure there's an option in the control panel that lets you directly request interleaving to be turned off. I'm not sure about this though. I'd try this with Tiscali, but knowing TalkTalk's support I'd probably end up talking to Jerish who somehow manages to confuse "I want interleaving turned off" with "I want to extend my contract right now".
Does anyone know why I get massive ping spikes when playing online games? For example when I play COD4 or TF2 my ping is usually around 30-40 on most EU servers, but every 1-5 minutes (it varies a lot) it shoots up to 400-600, and is kinda unplayable for up to 3 minutes until it goes back down. It gets really annoying and makes it very difficult to play well. I noticed that when I have the ping spikes my LCD screen (Logitech G15) says that my upload speed is around 40kb/s, whereas it is usually around 0-0.3kb/s. This is the only lead I have.
My BT Homehub v2 control panel is bloody useless, but I am assuming by the fact it has "Latency type: Fast" in the ADSL info I am on non-interleaving already. My pings are usually fairly low normally, so I will assume so.
[QUOTE=Fresh?;27502424]Does anyone know why I get massive ping spikes when playing online games? For example when I play COD4 or TF2 my ping is usually around 30-40 on most EU servers, but every 1-5 minutes (it varies a lot) it shoots up to 400-600, and is kinda unplayable for up to 3 minutes until it goes back down. It gets really annoying and makes it very difficult to play well. I noticed that [b]when I have the ping spikes my LCD screen (Logitech G15) says that my upload speed is around 40kb/s, whereas it is usually around 0-0.3kb/s.[/b] This is the only lead I have.[/QUOTE] Turn off uTorrent / other p2p apps that upload. If you're not running any, use Accessories > System Tools > Resource Monitor's Network tab to trace what's using the network when you get those spikes.
[QUOTE=leach139;27502640]Turn off uTorrent / other p2p apps that upload. If you're not running any, use Accessories > System Tools > Resource Monitor's Network tab to trace what's using the network when you get those spikes.[/QUOTE] Thank you, I'll try those :smile: I take it steam couldn't be the cause of it?
[QUOTE=hexpunK;27502568]My BT Homehub v2 control panel is bloody useless, but I am assuming by the fact it has "Latency type: Fast" in the ADSL info I am on non-interleaving already. My pings are usually fairly low normally, so I will assume so.[/QUOTE] The Fast stands for FastPath, so you're already non-interleaved. [QUOTE=Fresh?;27502669]Thank you, I'll try those :smile: I take it steam couldn't be the cause of it?[/QUOTE] Steam doesn't upload, your problem is an application is saturating your connection causing choke.
Why can't they just make the control panel useful, it can be a nuisance to configure some things as it feels the need to refresh on almost any change in a setting. Shame my only other alternative right now is a old Belkin router that will probably die within a year like the last one.
[QUOTE=leach139;27502698]The Fast stands for FastPath, so you're already non-interleaved. Steam doesn't upload, your problem is an application is saturating your connection causing choke.[/QUOTE] Thanks so much leach, I think it was spotify that was uploading every so often. I closed it and the problem seems to have gone now :smile: I am forever in your debt.
[QUOTE=hexpunK;27502759]Why can't they just make the control panel useful, it can be a nuisance to configure some things as it feels the need to refresh on almost any change in a setting. Shame my only other alternative right now is a old Belkin router that will probably die within a year like the last one.[/QUOTE] Welcome to the sad world of pretty much every ADSL router ever made, may I take yo- RESETTING TO APPLY NEW CONFIGURATION, PLEASE WAIT
Or tell them you want OSPF support, and not sound like a retard
Why was I under the impression that interleaving was good then? I always requested to have it turned on - but having it off is better?
[QUOTE='[GM] Gaw;27519155']Why was I under the impression that interleaving was good then? I always requested to have it turned on - but having it off is better?[/QUOTE] It's good if you have an unstable connection. But if it's a really good line then interleaving will decrease performance.
My line is fairly decent - I live 800 meters from the exchange. I'll give my ISP a ring tomorrow and get them to swap me over. Thanks OP!
[QUOTE=pro ruby dev;27519266]My line is fairly decent - I live 800 meters from the exchange. I'll give my ISP a ring tomorrow and get them to swap me over. Thanks OP![/QUOTE] According to rieda you should request to turn it off
[QUOTE=rieda1589;27519241]It's good if you have an unstable connection. But if it's a really good line then interleaving will decrease performance.[/QUOTE] Well what do you advise I do, considering my download speed is awful most of the time - jumping up and down from 100kb/s to 600kb/s [img]http://imgkk.com/i/lrfa.png[/img]
How far do you live from your exchange? Line Attenuation is a hell of a lot better than mine, but I do live a few miles from my exchange. :(
[QUOTE=Fresh?;27502424]Does anyone know why I get massive ping spikes when playing online games? For example when I play COD4 or TF2 my ping is usually around 30-40 on most EU servers, but every 1-5 minutes (it varies a lot) it shoots up to 400-600, and is kinda unplayable for up to 3 minutes until it goes back down. It gets really annoying and makes it very difficult to play well. I noticed that when I have the ping spikes my LCD screen (Logitech G15) says that my upload speed is around 40kb/s, whereas it is usually around 0-0.3kb/s. This is the only lead I have.[/QUOTE] What ISP? I used to have this issue on NTL when playing on french servers. Sourceforts with 900ms ping, fun.
[QUOTE=rieda1589;27520765]How far do you live from your exchange? Line Attenuation is a hell of a lot better than mine, but I do live a few miles from my exchange. :([/QUOTE] I live about 500m or so from the exchange.
[QUOTE='[GM] Gaw;27520903']I live about 500m or so from the exchange.[/QUOTE] Mother of fuck, what ISP are you on? I'm on 38DB attenuation and even I get 8MB. You should be getting line capacity or thereabouts.
[img]http://files.rewindstudios.com/Screencaps/router-info.png[/img] I can't find anything about interleaving on my router (sky)
[QUOTE=leach139;27524325]Mother of fuck, what ISP are you on? I'm on 38DB attenuation and even I get 8MB. You should be getting line capacity or thereabouts.[/QUOTE] I'm with UTV internet. On the 7mb package with unlimited usage addon (about 250GB or so iirc). [IMG]http://www.speedtest.net/result/1118677563.png[/IMG] [img]http://www.pingtest.net/result/32606602.png[/img]
[QUOTE='[GM] Gaw;27524525']I'm with UTV internet. On the 7mb package with unlimited usage addon (about 250GB or so iirc). [img_thumb]http://www.speedtest.net/result/1118677563.png[/img_thumb] [img_thumb]http://www.pingtest.net/result/32606602.png[/img_thumb][/QUOTE] Change provider right now jesus, you could be getting ~20mb on that line easy peasy. I'm not sure if BE* supply Ireland, but you'll want to look around.
[QUOTE=leach139;27524620]Change provider right now jesus, you could be getting ~20mb on that line easy peasy. I'm not sure if BE* supply Ireland, but you'll want to look around.[/QUOTE] Not an ADSL2 exchange (very few exchanges are in Ireland), and all ADSL is just resold eircom (all the same except for the download cap and price pretty much).
Fast Path or How I Learned To Triple My Packet Loss. It's there for a reason broski. The real solution is to not exceed ~8Mb or something like that, as this is where the signal becomes so high frequency it needs this system to stay strong. [editline]19th January 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Fresh?;27502424]Does anyone know why I get massive ping spikes when playing online games? For example when I play COD4 or TF2 my ping is usually around 30-40 on most EU servers, but every 1-5 minutes (it varies a lot) it shoots up to 400-600, and is kinda unplayable for up to 3 minutes until it goes back down. It gets really annoying and makes it very difficult to play well. I noticed that when I have the ping spikes my LCD screen (Logitech G15) says that my upload speed is around 40kb/s, whereas it is usually around 0-0.3kb/s. This is the only lead I have.[/QUOTE] Ping spikes is probably if you use wireless.
[QUOTE=BmB;27525141]Fast Path or How I Learned To Triple My Packet Loss. It's there for a reason broski. The real solution is to not exceed ~8Mb or something like that, as this is where the signal becomes so high frequency it needs this system to stay strong. [editline]19th January 2011[/editline] Ping spikes is probably if you use wireless.[/QUOTE] 3 * 0 = 0
[QUOTE=BmB;27525141]Fast Path or How I Learned To Triple My Packet Loss. It's there for a reason broski. [/QUOTE] Because I totally didn't say to not try this if your line is unstable.
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