What info can be gleaned from the details from the router?
F'rinstance at the moment the line attenuation figures on mine are: up/down 31.5/61dB (is this an indicator of likely speed of connection? can I use this in any way?)
What are FEC/CRC/HEC errors (ie a straight decode) and what use are they to me?
The Ancient Mariner
Generalised questions I know but I'm trying to build a case for an upgrade to the electric string that connects me to the exchange, so I need to have a firm idea of what I'm talking about in some detail. At the moment BT say talk to your ISP it's their problem and the ISP says it's BT's problem take your case to them. Where's a handy Kalshnikov when you need one?
Probably the most useful indicator in this instance is the "noise margin". This tells you how much dB margin you have between the current 'sync'ed rate of the ADSL line, and the maximum possible on the line in your situation.
An important thing to understand is that ADSL "self trains" over the first 10 days of it's connection, in order to get the fastest, stable connection possible given the circumstances.
This URL is useful in understanding what's going on
::. Kitz - How DSLMax works .:: as it easily explains the feedback loop used over the first 10 days.
Basically, the ADSL connection gets more and more 'ambitious' in the amount of bandwidth it allocates to the line through traffic shaping, until the line falls over (or reaches the maximum sync rate). If the line falls over, the DSLAM at the exchange automatically backs off the rate a smidgen and tests it again.
This is the reason why your DSL connection will be a bit flakey (and maybe slow) over the first week of use, but will settle down.
I have seen issues though where BT's traffic shaping changes fail to occur after a speed regrade, and this results in a reliable connection, just at the same speed you used to get.
The best way to test your connection is on BT's own speed test site, as this will list your traffic shaping stats if it's hitting this limit (although if it doesn't hit it you may still have other issues with your line). BT's tester is at
Test Result
Remember, that it's the connection quality in the ENTIRE loop that is key, so whilst you might be able to get a decent connection at the master socket with all extension sockets disconnected, your home wiring may defeat the object by breaking down with age. Indeed, when I rewired my DSL from the BT junction box on the outside of my house indoors, I went from 768kbit/s to 2350kbit/s (mainly because I bought a house an utter DIY bodger had previously owned - with phone points in the bog and garage!).
Anyway, you can always test the line by unscrewing the front plate off your master socket and connecting to the test jack underneath, which should confirm whether it's the wiring in your house, or the wiring to the street.
One final thing - remember to have a microfilter on each analogue phone/fax/etc connection in the house. Also, if commencing a dialogue with BT, it's advisable to have checked/changed everything that they could slopey-shoulder onto you. e.g. router, RJ11 wiring, etc.
Hope that helps (cos apparently I know nothing about routers
)