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Forum Discussion
NMLiz
Sep 22, 2022Guide
Severe Upload Bufferbloat on RAX38v2
We live in a rural area and have an extremely slow DSL connection (at best 11 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up). Previously we had an IQRouter v2, which was great for maximizing the connection for multiple devic...
- Sep 23, 2022
> We live in a rural area and have an extremely slow DSL connection (at best 11 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up). Previously we had an IQRouter v2, which was great for maximizing the connection for multiple devices...but got old and kept dropping the connection.
Before I moved, I had that situation (DSL 7mbps down, 768kbps up). I used an IQrouter v2 to completely eliminate the bufferbloat. No one would call the connection fast, but it was always very usable, even with two simultaneous zoom sessions.
The IQrouter v2 is a re-labeled Archer C7v2 - one of the most reliable / revered routers - Wirecutter's Best Router for Home a few years ago). It is designed by a team of folks at Evenroute who also suffered from bufferbloat.
Before you blame the IQrouter, you can do some troubleshooting:
- Run speedtest.net. Look at both the up/down speeds, but also the new Responsiveness numbers that show latency during the speed tests.
- If you know how run a ping test from the terminal. Look for dropped packets.
- Call your ISP. Tell them you are having problems. (Report the speedtest.net and ping test numbers.) Ask them to check the line characteristics. Ask them if they see any problems.
- Also, ask them to replace the Actiontec - it's an older model, and perhaps it failed or got damaged in a storm.
Good luck!
PS Double-NAT (your DSL modem connected to your router) is almost certainly not your problem. I do it all the time - the IQrouter is designed for it. Double-NAT *can* cause problems, but not bufferbloat. (Symptoms would include being able to connect to certain services, but not others, and mostly fairly unusual situations/applications.)
NMLiz
Sep 22, 2022Guide
michaelkenward
Sep 22, 2022Guru - Experienced User
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- microchip8Sep 23, 2022Master
Do note that your modem might be responsible for bufferbloat you're seeing. I had a modem in the past that made huge bufferbloat and always thought it was my R7800 router. Did virtually everything to minimize but couldn't so I gave up. Short after, after changing Internet plans, I got a new, more modern modem that can handle 1 Gbps speeds (DOCSIS 3.0). Suddenly my bufferbloat had disasspeared and stayed so even till today. So even today and a router change to a RAX43, I still get mostly an A on bufferbloat and occasionally, when network is a bit congested, a B.