Click URL starts fast, stalls, then completes

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Level 1

66 points

Click URL starts fast, stalls, then completes

I have this problem with my cable internet service. I have a Motorola SB6121 cable modem connected to a new Time Capsule, and my computer is the new MBPro retina display, base unit.

At first, when I set this up, it was very quick. But now I'm having a problem I had with the previous modem/router (Moto SBG900).

What happens is that often, when I click a link, I'll get an immediate response and see the blue line start up in the URL blank at top of page. Then, when the line gets maybe an inch and a half across, it stops, stalls there for a few seconds (up to 10 or 12, sometimes more) and then completes and renders the page.

What I don't get is what's happening. Why does it start and then pause? I get high speeds for download on Speakeasy and Speedtest.com (sometimes 35 Mbps or more, sometimes just 20Mbps)

Any explanation, help, advice, or suggestion of who to contact, would be appreciated.

Posted on Jul 23, 2012 11:01 PM

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Answer 1

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,851 points

Jul 24, 2012 12:42 AM in response to Pier Rodelon

Try using a different DNS server, such as those provided by OpenDNS or Google's Public DNS.

What's happening is this:

DNS is the way your computer translates web site names, such as "apple.com" to numeric IP addresses, like "17.172.224.47."

So when this translation is needed, your computer asks the DNS server to resolve the address and has to wait to receive the answer.

The problem is many ISPs have slow/inefficient DNS servers as, frankly, they generate no income but cost money to run.

What you're seeing is the way this issue presents itself - you get stuck waiting for answers from your DNS server and as soon as you get the response, the actual connection is very quick.

When the first bit of the Safari bar turns blue, this is generally the DNS resolution phase of processing. You can see this for yourself by disconnecting from your network and trying to reach a web site - you'll see the same "slight" progress of Safari and short delay before you eventually get a "not connected to the network" screen.

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Answer 2

Pier Rodelon Author

Level 1

66 points

Jul 24, 2012 11:53 AM in response to Dogcow-Moof

Thanks for the informative reply. Very helpful. The only thing I need now is explanation of how to force Comcast cable network to use another DNS server. I'll Google that and see what I can come up with. Thanks again for what I hope is solution to this problem.

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Answer 3

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,851 points

Jul 24, 2012 2:13 PM in response to Pier Rodelon

You don't force Comcast; rather it's a setting on your computer or in your router.

There are instructions on how to use Google's service on your Mac here; the procedure is the same for OpenDNS but instead of specifying "8.8.8.8" and "8.8.4.4" you specify "208.67.222.222" and "208.67.220.220."

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Answer 4

Pier Rodelon Author

Level 1

66 points

Jul 24, 2012 9:45 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

Many thanks again. Found this earlier today when Googling and set it on my machine. Only a few significant recurrences since. Oddly, one when going from some page to my GMAIL account. Go figure. Now it mostly stops a beat or two and then goes on to render the page. A good success.

Not knowing what IPv4 and IPv6 were, I just stacked all four of the addresses Google gave me in my list of DNS addresses. If I should remove the IPv6 pls advise.

Have not tried the OpenDNS addresses but will. Many thanks for your help.

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