MacPaul77
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Poor internet performance over ethernet

I'd like to throw this out there to see if anyone has any suggestions for poor ethernet performance using Roadrunner Turbo. I have two Macs on my home network; a mid-2010 27" iMac (Core i7) with 12 GB of RAM and running Mac OS X 10.6.8, and a PowerMac Dual G5 with 1.5 GB of RAM running Mac OS X 10.5.8. Both computers are connected to my home network via ethernet. I have a commercial-grade Netgear (non-wireless) router between my Macs and the cable modem. Having the Netgear router between the cable modem and the computers only results in a 1-2 Mbps speed hit, so I am convinced that my router is not the source of the problem. I am not using any wireless networking.

 

I used to get 20-25 Mbps download speed, but now I am averaging 11-13 Mbps, rarely hitting 18 Mbps, and quite often getting just under 10 Mbps. Both computers are experiencing the same problem. The results are the same whether I use Safari or Firefox. I have my iMac's internal hard disk partitioned into two Mac partitions with my alternative partition having a "plain vanilla" 10.6.8 OS with no other 3rd party software running. Same results from that alternative partition. I had the supervisor of the Roadrunner technicians out to my house this morning and using a Windows 7 laptop, with both IE and Chrome and he is getting the same differential with my router in or out of the circuit, but his results are consistantly 19 Mbps to 24 Mbps with both browsers. We repeated these results exactly when I unplugged the ethernet cable from the back of my Mac and put it into his Windows laptop. Bottom line, my network and all the relevent Cat 5 cabling works perfectly when using a Windows laptop, but performance with my Macs is in the tank. I've cleared all the caches (which should be a non-issue when using my alternative partition anyway), and I've even disabled the firewall in the Mac which made no difference.

 

I'm out of ideas, Anybody have any idea what could be causing my problem or any suggestions for additional diagnostic tests? The Roadrunner tech also confirmed no packet loss, network "noise" well within the normal range, and ping times to the various speed testing services remain consistant at around 13 msec. I am getting my ip address automatically via DHCP, and my ipv6 is set to configure automatically, but Roadrunner is not using ipv6 at this time.

 

Help, please! Thanks!

 

  Paul

iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.8), iMac 11,3 Intel Core i7, 12 GB RAM

Posted on Jul 28, 2013 12:46 PM

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MacPaul77

Q: Poor internet performance over ethernet

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jul 28, 2013 1:25 PM in response to MacPaul77
    Level 10 (123,880 points)
    Jul 28, 2013 1:25 PM in response to MacPaul77

    Hi Paul,

     

    What model Modem is it?

     

    From the wayback machine...

     

    Mac Modem problems with Broadcom Chipset...

     

    All Linksys Cable Modems

    All Motorola Cable Modems except for the SB5120

    All Scientific Atlanta Cable Modems

     

    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2985422&#2985422

     

    Though all of these steps may or may not be needed, I'm including them all.

     

    Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712

     

    10.5, 10.6, 10.7 & 10.8…

     

    System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.

     

     

    10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x/10.8.x instructions...

     

    System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.

     

    The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.

     

    For 10.5/10.6/10.7/10.8, System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...

     

    208.67.222.222

    208.67.220.220

     

    (There may be better or faster DNS numbers in your area, but these should be a good test).

    Click OK.

  • by MacPaul77,

    MacPaul77 MacPaul77 Jul 28, 2013 1:49 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 28, 2013 1:49 PM in response to BDAqua

    Hi Aqua, thanks for the quick reply and the suggestions.

     

    My cable modem is a Cisco and is the newest docsys 2 modem that TWC has.

     

    I will try the rest of the stuff that you suggested a little later and reply back to this discussion.

     

       Paul

  • by MacPaul77,

    MacPaul77 MacPaul77 Jul 31, 2013 1:22 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 31, 2013 1:22 PM in response to BDAqua

    Okay, I have some updated information related to this problem. First, I did change the DNS IP addresses provided above, but they had to be put into my router rather than my Mac. At first I thought that it did improve my internet speed, but in the end, I've decided that it really didn't make that much of a difference. I'm still getting between 11 and 13 Mbps with Roadrunner Turbo and my hard-wired iMac. It's really bugging me that the tech and his Windows laptop consistently got number between 19 Mbps on the low end and 24 Mbps on the high end.

     

    I'm open to any other suggestions.

  • by macuser7777,

    macuser7777 macuser7777 Jul 31, 2013 7:09 PM in response to MacPaul77
    Level 2 (230 points)
    Jul 31, 2013 7:09 PM in response to MacPaul77

    Have you tried making a test user account? Is your firewall enabled? Other security software? You could use a test user account with as little running as possible. Make sure you are the only device connected directly to the cable modem. Some routers have a maximum amount of connections available at one time. Once you reach that max your internet connection speed suffers dramatically.

  • by MacPaul77,

    MacPaul77 MacPaul77 Jul 31, 2013 11:48 PM in response to macuser7777
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 31, 2013 11:48 PM in response to macuser7777

    Macuser7777, thanks for your suggestions. I have one other Mac and an Airport Express connected to my router, had the power removed to both. I also took the router completely out of the network with no positive effect on the symptoms. I also have my main internal hard drive divided into 2 partitions and have a "plain-vanilla" 10.6.8 operating system installed on the second partition with no other 3rd party software (I never use this partition other than in times like this to assist with troubleshooting). Again, no difference. I turned off the Mac firewall, and again, no difference.

     

    I also used Applejack to completely purge all the cache files, and once again, no difference. Grrrr!

     

    I spoke with Apple technical support and happened to get a senior level-2 tech who was also the supervisor. After hearing all that I have done, he suggested that it could be a hardware problem in the iMac with the network circuitry and setup an appointment for me at the Genius Bar at my local Apple store (15 minutes away) for this Saturday. I'm going to had dragging this thing out of the house and will have to be very careful not to damage the monitor, but I guess that this is the best next step.

     

    Whatever happens, I'll post what comes of this visit.