[afnog] monitoring my ISP

[Geert Jan de Groot]

On Wed, 16 Aug 2006 09:16:33 -1000  "Scott Weeks" wrote:
> Perhaps we might list those things that help him to prove
> poor access.  
> Can others add to the list?

Try mtr http://www.bitwizard.nl/mtr/
This might help tell you where packet loss happens. 
But do note that the return path may be asymetric
the farther you go out
(and there's the thing with DVB downlinks and all that..)

Hint: don't keep mtr running at full speed for extended periods
as it can eat a fair bit of bandwith by itself.

You must first define what you mean with "poor access":
- Slow downloads? Slow uploads? 
- HTTP? FTP? other protocols
  (think transparent caches and other evil)
- Packet loss? Do small vs long packets differ?
- Is the local loop to the ISP error-free (check especially wireless!)
  Always check with long packets (8K plus) too.
- Do you know and understand _all_ the traffic on your local loop,
  i.e. no unexpected P2P clients, skype, multimedia?
- Poor DNS performance? What does you own DNS look like,
  forward and reverse (there's a staggering amount of broken
  DNS setups out there, and they may hamper a reverse lookup)

Also, does your ISP have an FTP server you can use for testing,
and what throughput do you get to that box, in both directions if possible?

Hint: a precies description of exactly what the performance 
problem is will likely get a long way to getting it fixed.

Geert Jan