Dropped internet connection while streaming from Netflix
flapbreaker
Enthusiast - Level 3
I have a weird problem that only happens when streaming video from Netflix. It doesn't matter if it's through my xbox or the pc I get the same result. Essentially, after about 5-15 minutes of playback I lose all internet connectivity on all network pc's and the xbox. The only solution is to reboot the router. Cannot for the life of me figure out what would cause this but does have something to do with Netflix and streaming movies. Any idea's?
0 Likes
1 Solution

Correct answers
Re: Dropped internet connection while streaming from Netflix
flapbreaker
Enthusiast - Level 3
I thought I'd post a follow up.  It turns out that the router that Verizon is using (actiontec) has a small NAT table. I don't understand it all but some applications can fill this up. It's not all a bandwidth issue though. Anyway, I never really got anyone at verizon to tell me this but after looking through the forums at dslreports.com it became quite clear that this is a known issue. Unfortunately with fios the solution may not be easy depending on how they set up your service. I had coax cable from the ONT (box on outside of house) to the router. Can't just replace the router with a better one since there are none that accept coax. So I ran my own ethernet cable out to the ONT and plugged it into the ethernet port out there. Then it took several phone calls to reach someone who could activate the ethernet port on the ONT (done remotely), basically you want to reach the "fiber solutions center".  Once they made the switch I was able to use my own router and no longer have the issue with netflix or Itunes. Hope this helps someone else.

View solution in original post

Re: Dropped internet connection while streaming from Netflix
mattheww50
Contributor - Level 2
I can only speculate, but I suspect your router runs out of memory. ONce that happens, it no longer has the ability to either send or receive packets. The likely reason

I can only speculate, but I suspect your router runs out of memory. ONce that happens, it no longer has the ability to either send or receive packets.

The likely reason is un acknowledged packets. TCP/IP requires that every packet be acknowleged, but it doesn't require it to happen immediately. At very high transmission rates such as FIOS provides, any  delay in ackowledging a packet or delay in re-transmitting a packet may cause the router memory to fill up with subsequent packets, creating the proverbial Gordian knot. You cannot get rid of packets in memory because they haven't been acknowledged, but you cannot get any more acknowledgements, because there is no memory left in the router to receive them! I suspect this is a situation the router doesn't handle gracefully.

1mb of packet storage doesn't last long at 2.5 million bytes per second!

The only likely recovery is to reboot the router.

is un acknowledged packets. TCP/IP requires that every packet be acknowleged, but it doesn't require it to happen immediately. At very high transmission rates such as FIOS provides, any delay in ackowledging a packet or delay in re-transmitting a packet may cause the router memory to fill up with subsequent packets, creating the proverbial Gordian knot. You cannot get rid of packets in memory because they haven't been acknowledged, but you cannot get any more acknowledgements, because there is no memory left in the router to receive them! I suspect this is a situation the router doesn't handle gracefully. 1mb of packet storage doesn't last long at 2.5 million bytes per second! The only likely recovery is to reboot the router.
0 Likes
Re: Dropped internet connection while streaming from Netflix
flapbreaker
Enthusiast - Level 3
Matthew, I appreciate your response but I don't believe that is the problem. The router should be able to keep up with streaming video other wise this issue would be wide spread and I cannot find any other complaints on the xbox forums ect. Also, to lose all internet connectivity from streaming video does not make sense. You could be right but then what is the solution. Lots of people have no issues with streaming video.
0 Likes
Re: Dropped internet connection while streaming from Netflix
philhu
Contributor - Level 2

I think netflix is stressing the router.  I do think it is a memory problem only seen during heavy high speed access

It also can be corrupted packets on really high speed, causing no acks for those packets filling up the router.

I would try lowering the speed of your netflix computer/box to see if the problem stops occurring.

If it does, then you have a stressed line problem that only occurs when the line is close to saturated, which is a common problem with lines that are marginal, and would probably require a trouble ticket.

0 Likes
Re: Dropped internet connection while streaming from Netflix
TimSykes
Specialist - Level 2

You may also have a issue with fios itself, because you are streaming video you can see it where as if your just going to websites you will not see a network hiccup. I stream netflix all the time with no issues. I highly  doubt it is a issue of the router running out of memory, because your router does not store what you are downloading, it is just routing on the packets of info onto the correct mac address that requested the info from the website., it does not buffer them. 

What you can try to do is power cycle your router  as after a prolong time being on they can cause issue with routing the info to the correct place.  

Message Edited by TimSykes on 11-25-2008 08:04 AM
0 Likes
Re: Dropped internet connection while streaming from Netflix
flapbreaker
Enthusiast - Level 3
Tim, your probably correct about a line issue. Reseting the router does work however the problem will happen again after 5-10 minutes of streaming. I do notice that the router seems to be very warm, almost hot but not quite. Not sure if this is normal. I guess I should contact Verizon support but I dread having to go through all the stupid basic support questions and solutions until we can actually find the problem.
0 Likes
Re: Dropped internet connection while streaming from Netflix
TimSykes
Specialist - Level 2
If the router is running hotter then it should be it may be to much power running in the lines. Fios seems to be very finicky when it comes to power, If there is to much or to littler you connection will drop frequently. 
0 Likes
Re: Dropped internet connection while streaming from Netflix
philhu
Contributor - Level 2

Well, thats what I said.

When you stress your line, it causes packet errors, that you don't see with normal use.

Try lowering your speed on your computer watching netflix.  Not to get a good picture but to cause less line stress and

see if your problem goes away.

0 Likes
Re: Dropped internet connection while streaming from Netflix
flapbreaker
Enthusiast - Level 3
Well, I was upgraded to the 10Mbps fios from the 5Mbps speed and now the movie stops even sooner. I get maybe 1-2 minutes in. I broke down and called verizon. They had no clue. I planted the idea of a bad/over heating modem and they are going to drop ship me one on Dec 1st. I figure this will be the easiest way to rule out a router issue. I'll let you all know how it goes.
0 Likes
Re: Dropped internet connection while streaming from Netflix
yenracd
Enthusiast - Level 3
Did you check that all your drivers and firmware are up to date?  I recently had trouble with my laptop constantly dropping the internet connection and it turned out Windows update had an update for me that was optional and wasn't automatically installed.  Once I installed this, I was fine but before I was constantly resetting my router thinking that the problem.  Also, when you reset your router, try actually unplugging it for a minute or two.  Not sure if this will help, but it's just a thought.
0 Likes