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[F1 9LFG]

Hi people

Does anyone know of any software that I can download to 'monitor' my internet connection. I'd like to keep a few weeks worth of data showing the connection speed, stability & to document any loss of connection.

We've been in the new house for a month now, had our Sky services moved over with us, (tv,internet & phone). The internet has been problematic from the off & remains so.

When I call sky & report the problem (internet dropping out for 5-30mins at a time - random times of day/night) Sky tell me ''yes we can see there is a problem with the line, we'll send a BT engineer out''

BT have sent 4 engineers out now and all of them have said that the line is great. according to the last 2 engineers BT are unable to look at the data sky gather on the state of the connection & I'm told BT don't keep a record of the connection status (well, not that they can look back on and see any drops in connection)

Cheers Guys

Rob 

[tunnie]

Hummm any data you gather will likely be fobbed off, what exactly do they say is the problem?

Do you get any internet access at-all? Can you ping things.

[pscocoa]

The internal wiring may need to be eliminated if not already checked. Have BT checked this.

 I had similar problems but there was a spare pair of wires into the house from the street cabinet - BT swapped over and all fine.

[Kevin Wood]

You might find your broadband router can generate logging via SNMP or SYSLOG. You'd then need to find some software to install on your PC to receive the logging information (which would typically include sync rates and throughput, etc - depending on the router) and save it during the period that you want to monitor the connection. You'd have to leave the PC on during the period. Can't help with specific software as I've only done it in Linux, but a bit of googling will dig up something, I'm sure. First thing to do is to check the capabilities of your router.

[Gaffers]

Kevin's idea of monitoring via SNMP will do it.  I suggest a Raspberry Pi or similar as it will use a lot less power but will happily run Ubuntu making it very easy and straight forward to setup ;-)

You could also run a script which repeatedly pings a website but this will give you limited information (just internet up/down) plus you run the risk of being identified as a DDoS bot and the website droppping all future connections from your IP for a short period

[F1 9LFG]

Hummm any data you gather will likely be fobbed off, what exactly do they say is the problem?

Do you get any internet access at-all? Can you ping things.

Hi Tunnie

TBH I am not a great tech head when it comes to routers/lines/speeds etc.

Our internet just keeps 'dropping' at random times of the day, sometimes for 1minute, sometimes for 45mins. BT have sent a line engineer out, a broardband specialist and both have said that the line is OK.

Sky tell me that they can ''see'' there are problems with the line. (how can they see?) but they need BT to fix the problem. its a nightmare as everything time BT come out they just say the line is fine!

It is an intermittent fault, possible interference from 'something somewhere' but with no data my end it's hard for me to assist BT (I got the feeling that the last BT engineer thought I was lying!!)

Cheers

[F1 9LFG]

You might find your broadband router can generate logging via SNMP or SYSLOG. You'd then need to find some software to install on your PC to receive the logging information (which would typically include sync rates and throughput, etc - depending on the router) and save it during the period that you want to monitor the connection. You'd have to leave the PC on during the period. Can't help with specific software as I've only done it in Linux, but a bit of googling will dig up something, I'm sure. First thing to do is to check the capabilities of your router.

  ummm, yes?? 

[F1 9LFG]

The internal wiring may need to be eliminated if not already checked. Have BT checked this.

 I had similar problems but there was a spare pair of wires into the house from the street cabinet - BT swapped over and all fine.

Hi mate

Yes on the first visit BT installed a new line from the pole to a new master socket (thats now the only socket in the house)

no difference

[Bigron]

I think your problem is with BT. I left them after 47 years because when I had a problem, they turned into a load of uncooperative onanists with zero regard for me as an erstwhile loyal customer.
I doubt that you will get anywhere with them regarding your line problems as it seems they have washed their hands of your problem.

Ron.

[moggy]

The internal wiring may need to be eliminated if not already checked. Have BT checked this.

 I had similar problems but there was a spare pair of wires into the house from the street cabinet - BT swapped over and all fine.

Hi mate

Yes on the first visit BT installed a new line from the pole to a new master socket (thats now the only socket in the house)

no difference

I am having the same problems with BT, and i am one of there customers.First engineer did not turn up,one due on Friday we will see up and down speeds crap.And i have infinity,bt are a bag of 'dangle berries'.Time to move on me thinks,but will i have the same problems. Dean

[Gaffers]

Thing is, unless you go to another supplier with their own proprietary infrastructure thn you will always go through BT Wholesale and any problem solving adds another layer of communication between your ISP and BT.

Only thing you can do is be a persistent pain in the arse with them.  Eventually they will take you seriously and divert he necessary resources to find the problem and not a muppet with a few weeks training and no motivation to help you.

Good luck!

[pscocoa]

Agree - stick with BT on this one. You do  need to escalate so try and find Ceo's office or ask for escalations. Not looked for some time but google BT Head Office tel numbers. They may have got cute to this by now of course. Problem has to be BT.

[Kevin Wood]

The problem is, your ISP are BT's customer in this case, not you. Sky should be contracting BT to fix the problem on your behalf. If you talk to BT, they will simply say that you didn't buy the broadband from them, you bought a voice service and that is OK.

For that to happen, your ISP need to know what they are doing, they also need to care about you and they need to stump up some cash, since support from BT Wholesale costs them. It's here where you really find out if you've got a decent ISP.

This is assuming the problem is with the BT wholesale service and not internal to your ISP, of course!

[F1 9LFG]

thanks for all your replys - I guess I will have to continue calling etc.

Does anyone know of any monitoring software that I can use to monitor the line. This would give me a better leg to stand on when I refuse to pay the line rental & net fees for this month!

Thanks
 

[F1 9LFG]

The problem is, your ISP are BT's customer in this case, not you. Sky should be contracting BT to fix the problem on your behalf. If you talk to BT, they will simply say that you didn't buy the broadband from them, you bought a voice service and that is OK.

For that to happen, your ISP need to know what they are doing, they also need to care about you and they need to stump up some cash, since support from BT Wholesale costs them. It's here where you really find out if you've got a decent ISP.

This is assuming the problem is with the BT wholesale service and not internal to your ISP, of course!

I'm thinking this....

4 different BT engineers have been and gone, all seemed clued up (not fresh out of tech school) one even re-made all the connections in the house, pole & exchange to rule them out.

The 3rd engineer mentioned interference, maybe REIN (pronounced rain) a form of electrical interference??

Cheers