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How does cable modem power cycling improve the net speed?

How does cable modem power cycling improve the net speed?

After a while (can be days, can be weeks), my network access speed slows down to ~2Mbps. Power cycling the modem (router and modem power off, then modem on, then router on) improves the performance to about 15Mbps. I'm curious what is the underlying reason for the slowdown...

Asked by: Guest | Views: 206
Total answers/comments: 4
bert [Entry]

"Use SpeedGuide.net TCP/IP Analyzer.

This will analyze your connection's parameters and tell you what is the limiting speed possible for you. Compare the values you're getting from a time when the connection is fast and when it's slow. This might tell you where the difference is.

Also, your router probably has a status page. Compare also the values found on this page. If the router indicates that the connection-speed has dropped, then it's your ISP that's throttling you down. Sometimes the connection starts faster than what you paid for, then drops down to the correct speed.

If no difference is found, it will help to know what is your O/S, the make of your modem and its firmware version.

EDIT

See this article : Comcast Cable Modem-High Speed Internet?
I believe it discusses exactly your problem."
bert [Entry]

"I bought a Linksys WRT160N, and had to reboot it every three or four days; it would become unresponsive after that time. I flashed it to DD-WRT, and haven't rebooted it in two months.

Reliable software running over long periods of time is a difficult thing to do, not to mention creating reliable operating systems and networking software. It takes decades to get it right and reliable. The firmware in most consumer level routers do not begin to approach this level of testing and reliability."
bert [Entry]

I'm speculating here but from a hardware point of view, electronic devices do drift under increased temperatures. More so for analogue devices, which is what most communications gear is made of. However, the units should have been designed to work within accepted tolerances. Check to see if the temperatures are exceedingly high. If it is, something else might be wrong, causing the parts to overheat.
I'm speculating here but from a hardware point of view, electronic devices do drift under increased temperatures. More so for analogue devices, which is what most communications gear is made of. However, the units should have been designed to work within accepted tolerances. Check to see if the temperatures are exceedingly high. If it is, something else might be wrong, causing the parts to overheat.
bert [Entry]

I've heard that it may have to do with log file buffers on the devices. On a power cycle the logs are wiped and this freed space can then be used by the other functions on the device. I do not have any hard proof or evidence this is the case. Do any others have ideas regarding this?