[lug] OT: ATT Broadband service interruptions?

[D. Stimits]

John Dollison wrote:

> This isn't exactly Linux related, but you guys are more computer-savvy 
> than
> 95% of the local Windows users.....
>
> I'm on the AT&T Broadband service, and lately I've been having lots of
> problems connecting to various websites.  I thought I was having a 
> hardware
> problem with my cable modem, but I just got off the chat-line with AT&T's
> support guy, and he says it's a Network Operations Center problem. 
> Normally
> I'd believe him, but this problem seems odd to me.  I'd like some feedback
> from you guys.
>
> Here are the details:
>
> My home setup is two computers (both are dual-boot Linux and Windows)
> connected to an SMC Barricade router, which connects to my cable modem.
>
> I have an RCA DCM215 cable-modem which I've leased from AT&T for about 2
> years now.  I noticed a long time ago that it will go into a hard-reset if
> you bump it, exactly as if someone had pulled the power and then 
> plugged it
> back in again - all the lights go out, then come back on, one-by-one, 
> until
> the signal is re-aquired and service is restored.  So I always figured 
> there
> was a loose wire inside, but never bothered to call tech support about it.
> (Also, I'm on a TrippLite UPS, so I believe my 115V power is stable.)
>
> Over the past week or two, the problem has started occuring on its own,
> without any "bumping" of the modem; but it seems to happen especially when
> I'm trying to use Outlook to access my various e-mail accounts and
> newsgroups.  It's now occuring several times a day.  I've never heard 
> of any
> software command that AT&T (or anyone else) could send to make the 
> modem do
> a hard reset, so I figured the modem was just getting ready to die on 
> me.  I
> got on the AT&T support website and talked to one of their reps, but he
> insists it's not a hardware problem.  I asked if their network was under
> attack, and he said no.  He did a tracert to my IP, and says there's a 
> long
> delay at my end, indicating a problem in the local network, but NOT at my
> modem or PC.
>
> So what gives?  Has anyone else seen problems on ATT Broadband?


My cable modem is Motorola. The only interruptions to service were when 
the DHCP server died, a couple of times at about 2 AM. The modem thinks 
it is fine, but leases cannot be renewed, and all routes die. Mainly 
though, it has been more reliable than 56k, the main problem is that 
AT&T does not issue repair orders until a certain number of people 
complain, or else it gets on a low priority schedule.

D. Stimits, stimits AT attbi.com