Network issues - fiber connection

Jan1234 · September 23, 2023

I am pretty sure I have a routing issue and no idea how to fix it.

I just moved into a new home with a fiber connection that I am using solely by myself. Because of my work I rely on a stable and good connection...

All my speedtests are doing well apart from in the evening. Then I suddenly have high bitrate fluctuation while teststreaming. My google speedtest says I only have between 2 and 20 mb upload, with speedtest server in frankfurt germany. (only in the evening. When testing it on daytime I get the full 210mb speed)
Another speedtest says I have the full 210 mb upload which I should have, with a testing server directly to my ISP.
My fritzbox also shows that only 20mb upload is used for the google speedtest, and 210mb for other speedtest.

My ISP keeps telling me everything is fine on their end. I was teststreaming for 3 days now with 1-3 pcs, changed my fritzbox, removed a switch and everything. Most of the time I got stable streams even with more then 70mb upload for multiple hours. But in the evening it suddenly changes and I cant even do a stable 6mb teststream (testing to twitch and also restream servers)

A friend told me that this should be a routing issue, but also does not know what to do now.
If I understand that correctly, I have my full bandwith. My connection is just not able to send it towards any other servers besides the ones from my ISP.

If someone knows how to maybe fix this and explain it to someone with no knowledge in networking, I really appreciate the help

Alex Atkin UK · September 24, 2023

4 hours ago, Jan1234 said:

I am pretty sure I have a routing issue and no idea how to fix it.

I just moved into a new home with a fiber connection that I am using solely by myself. Because of my work I rely on a stable and good connection...

All my speedtests are doing well apart from in the evening. Then I suddenly have high bitrate fluctuation while teststreaming. My google speedtest says I only have between 2 and 20 mb upload, with speedtest server in frankfurt germany. (only in the evening. When testing it on daytime I get the full 210mb speed)
Another speedtest says I have the full 210 mb upload which I should have, with a testing server directly to my ISP.
My fritzbox also shows that only 20mb upload is used for the google speedtest, and 210mb for other speedtest.

My ISP keeps telling me everything is fine on their end. I was teststreaming for 3 days now with 1-3 pcs, changed my fritzbox, removed a switch and everything. Most of the time I got stable streams even with more then 70mb upload for multiple hours. But in the evening it suddenly changes and I cant even do a stable 6mb teststream (testing to twitch and also restream servers)

A friend told me that this should be a routing issue, but also does not know what to do now.
If I understand that correctly, I have my full bandwith. My connection is just not able to send it towards any other servers besides the ones from my ISP.

If someone knows how to maybe fix this and explain it to someone with no knowledge in networking, I really appreciate the help

If you have routing issues there is no way to really fix it,its entirely down to the ISP or their peers. Best you can do is tell your ISP about it and hope they look into it, if they aren't you're pretty stuck.

It sounds like one of their peers is overloaded at peak hours and they are unwilling to do anything about it.

The only potential option is using some sort of tunnel/VPN that happens to use one of your ISPs uncongested routes, which is a real pain as it would be trial and error to find one and likely be a paid service.

wseaton · September 24, 2023

Assuming you are testing with direct wire and not wifi this issue certainly sounds like a pier network issue.

Latency issues in the evening typically point to an ISP problem.

I bet a ping with a larger than normal packet size,would also show issues.

Jan1234 · September 24, 2023

7 hours ago, Alex Atkin UK said:

The only potential option is using some sort of tunnel/VPN that happens to use one of your ISPs uncongested routes, which is a real pain as it would be trial and error to find one and likely be a paid service.

That would also increase my ping and overall performance right? So that is no option for me unfortunately, since I need to send out multiple stable streams at the same time and also be connected to game servers and parsec remote control and stuff...

Quote

Assuming you are testing with direct wire and not wifi this issue certainly sounds like a pier network issue.

Yep all testing with direct wire to my router.
The Fiber cable ends in the basement. Then there is an ONT Converter right next to it. In that ONT converter I have my cat7 ethernet cable going straight into my apartment, to my router. So I am the only one using that connection in this building.

I already informed my ISP 3 times, lets see if they are able to fix this or if moving is the only option for me

Thank you already guys!

Edit: Also just for clarification: it is just the upload that has problems, download is stable

Alex Atkin UK · September 24, 2023

8 hours ago, Jan1234 said:

That would also increase my ping and overall performance right? So that is no option for me unfortunately, since I need to send out multiple stable streams at the same time and also be connected to game servers and parsec remote control and stuff...

Technically yes, but if the route you are taking is already completely messed up then the net result can still be much lower latency.

In some cases an ISPs routing can be taking such a convoluted path that even when working properly you end up with lower latency. It depends if you are managing to achieve a shorter route to the destination or not. This is basically the principle of gaming VPNs, in theory they have more direct connectivity to where the gaming servers are than an ISP might so if you can find one more closely peered to your ISP then latency is lower than the route your ISP would take.

Its best to think of as roads, where your ISP only has access to certain junctions which can result in a huge detour to reach your destination. However, one of the earlier junctions leads to a VPN which has access to a completely different set of junctions, which may result in a huge shortcut to your destination.

I'd be thinking more a short-term solution in the hope your ISP eventually sorts this out.