lml,
re: your downstream sluggishness you ask:
"... any idea what the problem is?"
The first knee-jerk reaction in situations like this is to suspect that the ISP doesn't have sufficient upstream capacity (towards the core and to peers). For example, they may only have several T1s when they actually need a T3 or several OC-3s. Although, in actuality it could be something as simple as a router or switch port "setting" in software, or a confluence of tuning issues affecting throughput, or some algorithm running amuck. No telling from a distance "what" it could be.
To determine if the problem is unique to your specific account, I'd check with others using the service. If they say they are getting rated speeds without any difficulties, then I would suspect that someone didn't do their homework when provisioning your account. If, OTOH, the other party is also having downstream problems similar to yours, then the problem may be more systemic.
BTW, are there any desktop settings of your own that you may have set improperly, such as TCP windowing sizes, etc.?
The following may not apply in your case (maybe it does?), but it's a good read despite some glaring flaws in the opening parts that have to do with outside plant platforms.
"Tune Windows for Broadband"
Tweak your Windows system for cable or DSL Internet access.
By Linden deCarmo
August 7, 2000
zdnet.com |
