EDIT: Got an email from my ISP saying “the fiber owner has resolved your issue, we are closing the ticket.” I immediately called my ISP out of curiosity, since they earlier had told me that they need to change my ONT for me to get my full speed. Well, it turns out, the fiber owner (don’t know the English word for them) can manage speed per port on the ONT. Sic. So for some reason, they had limited the speed to 100 Mbps.
I purchased a 1 Gbps down/up connection and noticed that I was consistently getting 95 Mbit/s down/up, regardless of hardware configuration (router, no router, switch, no switch, connecting directly to the ONT, cat 6/6a cables, etc) and regardless of software configuration (VPN on/off, firewall on/off, OS Linux/Android, driver updates, etc).
When nothing seemed to help on my end, I finally called my ISP. They could confirm that my ONT is a decade old and that they can see that each port only allows for 100 Mbit/s down/up.
I went through these steps before finally testing a direct connection to the ONT which finally made me call the ISP.
The ISP is going to replace the ONT for free.
Sounds perfect to me. You thoroughly tested and eliminated every variable on your side before pointing fingers. Network techs hate it when someone starts blaming “the network” when it’s something stupid like a damaged cable behind the user’s desk.
Thanks! In that case, I am proud :D
UPDATE! Got an email from my ISP saying “the fiber owner has resolved your issue, we are closing the ticket.” I immediately called my ISP out of curiosity, since they earlier had told me that they need to change my ONT for me to get my full speed. Well, it turns out, the fiber owner (don’t know the English word for them) can manage speed per port on the ONT. Sic. So for some reason, they had limited the speed to 100 Mbps.
At least it was a quick call! With all the tech I run locally, I tolerate a lot of issues before I call in, assuming it’s in my stack. Then troubleshoot the stack, come up with nothing, then call the ISP and have them gaslight me (“your UPS is probably putting out bad voltage, I’ve seen that before”) and tell me to reboot the router etc only to find out it’s a common problem with these devices and the ISP is just recalcitrant.
Yeah, once my isp had me verify that the power light on my ont was on, then asked me to plug in a lamp to confirm the outlet was working…
Another time they had me do all kinds of troubleshooting, insisting there was no outage in the area… It turned out a truck had taken out the wires over the road.
On a related note to the last one, if we have a power outage, I get an email from them right away - before the ceiling fans stop spinning - warning me the internet might not work without power. But, somehow, they can’t detect outages in their own network.
I knew there had to be some truth to the “have you tried rebooting” trope…
I was mentally prepared for anything at this late a time on a Friday when all I wanted to do is to grab some sweet Linux ISOs to enjoy. So I explained every single step that I had taken, described every piece of hardware and exposed any and all quirky software that I had turned off for the final speed test. They were extremely polite and kind when they said, “you are exactly right, sir, the ports on your ONT can only deliver 100 Mbit/s. We’re getting you a new one.”
I was so goddamn relieved.
Same symptoms for me, ended up being an ethernet wall outlet between the ONT and the router that needed to be rewired.
Is this something that you were able to do? I unfortunately don’t have the necessary skills for that… YET!
Yes it was very easy. I didn’t even need to run a new cable through the wall to the outlet, just trimmed the end and rewired.
I wire connectors for my own ethernet cables (because it is cheap), and it is pretty easy once you’e done it a couple of times. The outlet is even easier. I highly recommend getting a tool kit for ethernet wiring, having the specialized tool(s) is worth it.
Cool! Found this bundle. Goes for about €54. (Swedish site) https://www.kjell.com/se/produkter/natverk/installationsmateriel/verktyg/dibotech-verktygsvaska-for-natverksinstallation-p38194
Be aware that there are 2 standards for ethernet. See the tables for T568A and T568B termination. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANSI/TIA-568#T568A_and_T568B_termination I am not an expert, but my understanding is that most all hardware works with either standard. You just want to make sure both ends of the cable are wired the same way, otherwise you’ve made a crossover cable, instead of a straight-through cable. I do T568B.
Specifically B is the standard. Edit: the Wikipedia article has a more complete explanation as to why, but you should always wire to B unless you have an explicit reason to do otherwise.


