CODA-4582 - Open Issues for Investigation

[RogersDave]

*** This post was last edited May 2, 2017 ***

Good morning Community,

As I mentioned in a post two days ago, we have received the next firmware 2.0.10.20 from Hitron. We are currently running initial testing on this version and will push it out to participants in the firmware trial program as soon as it passes initial testing.

However, while running these tests, we discovered abnormal behavior with ICMP and are awaiting feedback from Hitron today to asses how this will be addressed. As soon as I this is confirmed, I’ll update the change log with the correct version information and start pushing it out.

In parallel, we are still working on the following high priority items. In some cases below, I requested affected customers to reach out to me via private message. If you do so, please include your modem MAC address in the subject line (even if we exchange messages daily) as there are a lot of you reaching out to me daily 🙂

UDP Packet Loss

The investigation for what has been reported as UDP packet loss is still ongoing. We have deployed a probe at one fellow forum member on both a CODA-4582 and a CGNM-3552 to collect additional data. We are actively working with Hitron and Intel on the results observed.

Based on what we know so far, in most instances UDP packet loss is coupled with higher uplink usage in the area. Although the impact is noticeable in specific logs (League of Legends), the root cause for the perceivable impact (while playing) is likely related to bufferbloat (see next issue).

Bufferbloat

When comparing the performance of a CODA-4582 to a CGNM-3552 in the same network conditions, the CODA-4582 consistently reports higher bufferbloat when tested on DSLReports.

Update April 12: The solution for this problem will come in two folds. It will require a change in software which will possibly be included in 2.0.10.27 but more likely in 2.0.10.28 and a change in network configuration.

The network configuration change is not compatible with the current firmware so this change will only come after a vast majority of the modems are running the new code. We are however looking at a way to make the change only for specific modems to support testing in the community.

Update April 22: This problem seems resolved in firmware 2.0.10.27

5 GHz WiFi Low range for channels 36 to 48

Lower WiFi channels on the modem have a much smaller range. This is due in part to the limit imposed by Industry Canada to maximum transmit power.

Furthermore, the current automatic channel selection (auto mode) tends to select the lower channels when in similar load conditions.

Workaround: manually select higher channels (149-153-157-161)

Update April 22: The channel selection algorithm has been improved in firmware 2.0.10.27

Loss of OFDM Channel Lock

Under some RF conditions, the modem fails to lock properly on the OFDM channel. This typically result in variable performance.

Update April 12: This problem is resolved in 2.0.10.26T2

List of connected device does not get fully populated

This is a known issue that has been tracked since firmware 2.0.10.13. We are making improvements at every firmware but it is not a perfect system.

The situation is worst after a reboot or firmware upgrade as the list gets reset and must be repopulated as devices renew their DHCP lease.

NAT Loopback not working for wired clients

When setting up port forwarding to an internal server, it is possible for a client on WiFi to reach the server using the external IP/port. If the client is on a wired interface, it doesn't work.

Update April 12: This problem is resolved in 2.0.10.26T2 (not confirmed)

LAN Counters not working

Some customers reported that LAN counters (especially in bridge mode) are reporting inaccurate values.

This problem has been reported to Hitron for investigation.

Unexpected modem reboot

Some customers reported their modem reboots unexpectedly. We have also seen this behavior in our lab.

Update April 12: This problem is resolved in 2.0.10.26T2

Missing SC-QAM Channels

After a reboot, some modems are missing SC-QAM channels. A fix has been implemented in 2.0.10.26T2 to address this behavior but it has not corrected all scenarios.

Investigation continues with Hitron.

WiFi Survey

The WiFi Survey functionality in firmware 2.0.10.26T2 (and possibly before) reports incorrect SSID names.

Guest Network

When connecting to the Guest Network, an error message is displayed "only allow DHCP client to use this wireless".  This has been reported in firmware 2.0.10.26T2.

Update April 22: This issue has been resolved in firmware 2.0.10.27

Update May 2: It seems this issue is not fully resolved and still experienced by some users

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Future Planned Improvements

The following are items that we are working on in parallel of the above.

• Improvement in WiFi speeds
• Improvement in latency / bufferbloat

Dave

*Edited Labels*

[VivienM]

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@Telek wrote:

@prateeck7

So although your signal strengths are all within range, what's concerning to me is how much they fluctuate, especially in the 825-843MHz range.  I'm not an expert, but that tells me that there's some sort of problem.

Interestingly enough that's also 1/3rd the 2.4GHz range. I wonder if there's a shielding problem? The 1/4 wavelength is strong, so not the same problem that we saw before.

Telltale sign though - if you reboot the modem, does your upload speed come back?

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825-843MHz is also a (widely-used) cell phone band. Any phones nearby? Could something else be allowing the cell phone signals to leak into the coax?

[Telek]

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@tonytoronto wrote:

  Good morning,

 Had something weird happen this morning,  wired and wireless devices were connected to 4582 but had no internet. tried pinging test from within the router GUI and 100% packet loss.  I checked the logs and nothing there, checked signal levels and they were all between -2 to -6 and nothing i could see would cause that. Reboot and works again. That was the first time ive seen that, no internet at all.  I'm on .24, anyone experienced anything like that?

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What did the provisioning page on the modem state? Did the system information page show that you had a connection? What did the signal lights on the modem show?

[prateeck7]

hmmm....I do have Rogers home phone share line from the same amp as PVR and internet.

[prateeck7]

I don't know how seriously I should take this???

[VivienM]

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@prateeck7 wrote:

hmmm....I do have Rogers home phone share line from the same amp as PVR and internet.

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If that was set up properly by Rogers technician, that should be fine.

My set up is crazier: there's a splitter that splits downstairs (direct into PVR) and upstairs. Downstairs is then split into a TV box and another splitter... that has phone, modem, and another TV box.

First Rogers tech placed an attenuator in the wrong place so signal strength wasn't great, but @CommunityHelps sent another tech who fixed that... 

[Telek]

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@prateeck7 wrote:

hmmm....I do have Rogers home phone share line from the same amp as PVR and internet.

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Ohhhh... Amplifier in the line changes things.  Do you actually need it?

They typlically add +7 vs the -7 that you would get if you have multiple splits, so there is a huge difference, but since most of your signals are in the +ve already you might be able to get away without it.

That may actually be picking up interference on your GSM frequencies. Have you tried directly connecting the modem without the amplifier and seeing what signal quality you get, and what speed?

[Datalink]

Personal opinion, with speeds like those, I wouldn't be too worried about the upper frequencies.  Just to add food for thought, that high frequency roll-off might be caused by the amplifier that you mentioned or it might be caused by some device that is further upstream which you don't have access to.  Older telecom equipment had a 750 Mhz bandwidth, so anything running above that rolls off.  No doubt there are still some of those around, so, its a matter of identifying where that particular devices happens to be located and replacing it.  If you have an inline amp that has one input and one output, that might be the culprit.  If you have an amplifier that has one input and several outputs, with the port marked as VOIP in use for the internet modem, then I would guess that the high frequency roll-off is caused by something else further upstream.  A level one tech might be able to figure it out by looking at the signal levels for other customers connected to your tap, and looking beyond.  At some point the difference will be visible.  At least that would give an approximate location.  My bet is that @RogersDave would be able to determine this in a couple of minutes.  I would put this on the backburner and wait for a quieter time when Dave can have a look at this.  

[tonytoronto]

  Telek, provisioning page had all items listed as sucess, except EAE status, that had disabled (still does now), last item had authorized and operational. System page didnt see anything telling me wasn't connected, had uptime counting, had IP listed. Lights were like when its working, only thing i didnt pay much attention was if downstream was light blue or darker blue, but it was some shade of blue. Was odd, everywhere i looked looked normal, but no internet connection. Lets see what happens.   Thanx

[ablatt]

I have the exact same high frequency drop-off with my Ignite 250 on Docsis 3.0 on a CGN3ACSMR. 

In my case I know exactly what it is.  A main underground cable that feeds my side of the street was cut by a fence contractor and the cable was patched with RG-11.  Since then, I've had the high frequency drop-off.  Never had it before.

Rogers refuses to properly fix the cable claiming it is owned by Bell and they have to be subcontracted to do it. 

[toolcubed]

Owned by Bell? That doesn't make sense. Even if Bell did own prt of the network infrastructure, it would be fibre they're leasing to Rogers, but that would be much farther back in the network...nothing near the resedential areas. Coax cable would not be owned by Bell.

[ablatt]

The Rogers cables and Bell cables both emanate from a Bell-owned manhole that runs under my street and then emerge as a bundle (both Bell and Rogers) to feed the aerial lines in the backyards.

I was told by multiple Maintenance techs that the works has to be done by Bell.  I assume it's true, but I don't know for sure.

[JohnBeaudin]

@RogersDave

One good thing with .24 is that my modem is no longer rebooting on it's own. 002 days 19h:16m:30s Uptime 

Usually never went past 24h, it was rebooting on it's own every day.

[timfolkins]

My summary since .24 - I have had relatively consistent speeds, no reboots required to restore download speeds. No other issues generally to report. Shortly after getting .24 3.1 also came along. Not sure if it was scheduled and just timely or if .24 and @RogersDave had something to do with it.

If I get brave I will try and physically move the modem and router closer together to see if that actually plays a part in channels disapperaring.

bridged to airport extreme

black dot v1

gigabit service

now 3.1

.24 firmware

Thanks @RogersDave

[ablatt]

What is black dot v1?  Is there a v2 and, if so, what is the difference and how can you tell?

[timfolkins]

Earlier in the thread the difference was explained to me as blackdots that were not tested by rogers (v1) and blackdots that were tested by rogers (v2). The only thing to distinguish them was when you got it. I got mine around Jan 13 and I think that the v2's were only happening later in January.

Anyone please correct me if I've got this wrong.

[gp-se]

Does anyone have pictures of the shielding added to the Tuner? I can see the tuner through the case on my CODA, can anyone take a pic of the Tuner on the black dot modems?

[RyzenFX]

I don't have a picture of the shielding added to the tuner, but I can see that a second layer of shielding was added ontop of the intial shielding. 

You can't really take a picture from of the inside due to the design of the modem, however if you shine a flashlight at the bottom right (which is where the tuner is), you can look from the top of the modem and see the second layer of shielding. The shielding is a grey-rectangle shaped piece of metal. 

[gp-se]

@RyzenFX cool... I still have an original modem, but it looks like it suffers from the interference issue when I set my 2.4Ghz WiFi to use Channel 1.

I wonder if the interference will cause issues with DOCSIS 3.1, or if it only causes interference on certain DOCSIS 3.0 channels.

[prateeck7]

You can check what version you have in Hitron 192.168.0.1 site. I have version 1A.

[gp-se]

@prateeck7

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@prateeck7 wrote:

You can check what version you have in Hitron 192.168.0.1 site. I have version 1A.

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All the CODA 4582's are version 1A: original batch, 1st black dot, 2nd black dot... all 1A

[Alex4161]

@RogersDave

One issue I have been seeing for some time is that if you dont use any of your wired or wireless devices for several hours you lose network connectivity. I turned my laptop on this morning connected to a cat 6 cable and did not get any internet access. I then tried to access the web on my google pixel and as soon as I did that the cat6 network connectivity was restored on my laptop.

Has anyone else had this issue?

thanks