Low SN Margin possible reason for unstable DSL connection?

[NYNY2244]

I've been using AT&T's DSL service for the past half year and since I've had it, I've experienced a fair bit of disconnects but lately my connection has been incredibly unstable going out multiple times within short timespans. I've tried running the modem through my router and directly to my network port on my PC and still experienced problems. Reading up on possible causes on DSLreports, it says that a low sn margin can cause sync problems with the connection and ultimately, disconnects. So, I decided to check the modems configuration page and got the following:

http://img59.imageshack.us/img...097/lowsnmarginds9.jpg

Everything seems fine but the SN margin on the downstream path. I checked it a few times during the day and it would jump anywhere from this to about 7 or 8 but wouldn't go any higher. Apparently, this is really low and is what I think the cause of my problem.

So, is there any way I can fix this myself or is it something a tech would have to come to my house to do? I hear it can be issues with interference in the phone lines although I have filters hooked up to every line in the house.

 

[RebateMonger]

Yeah, I had a DSL connection with Qwest that was simply too far from the CO. It'd lost connection periodically, but that wasn't always that noticeable. However, it WAS noticable because the VPN connection would die each time. It was horrible to work with. Sometimes we'd have a VPN connection for days, and sometimes it'd die every five minutes.

The problem became fully apparent when Qwest mistakenly offered to boost us to the new, faster DSL connection. It generated thousands of errors an hour.

Some DSL modems (at least the Cisco 675/678 series) allow adjustment of the power levels. Typically you LOWER the power to achieve higher S/N ratios. By adjusting the power levels, I was able to up the S/N by several dB. It wasn't enough to "fix" the new, higher-speed connection, but when we dropped back to the older, slower connection, I was able to adjust the S/N until we had completely stable/24/7 VPN connections.

If you have such adjustments, then change the levels and view the S/N ratio after each change. At some point, you'll reach the point of diminishing returns. Back off a bit and try it there.

 

[ScottMac]

That's a likely suspect. Call the provider and have them check your line.