Torrenting knocks out internet (Fios)

[rh71]

This has been happening months ago ever since I upgraded to 75/75 and got the Quantum Gateway router (had 50/50 on Actiontec router with no issue). Initially thought it was TorGuard VPN but happens even without it. Torrents would disconnect me but very seldomly so I didn't think anything of it but in the last week it has become frequent. Torrents including downloading legitimate files like a Linux distribution (http://linuxtracker.org/index.php?page=downloadcheck&id=72495fa3e8fb5fdb23a8108c23d54ec3ac2e9408) and others from other sites so it's not the tracker itself.

On multiple torrent clients like qBittorrent, uTorrent, and Deluge from my ethernet-connected desktop, even when I try to limit max connections to 10 and speeds (only 4MBps on a 75/75 line), the Fios Quantum Gateway router's internet symbol will turn red and all internet in the house is dead until it cycles back a minute+ later.
This can happen as soon as 10 seconds from the start of the torrent. This does not happen with an http large file download (even 10GB) at max speed so it's not the throughput.

There must be a setting on the Fios Quantum Gateway router that detects too many connections (ie. DOS attack) and disconnects to protect it or the network, but I cannot find it. I called FIOS who said it doesn't do that sort of limiting, but all signs point to it. I've also tried resetting the router and cycled the ONT. Any ideas?

 

[mnewsham]

I'm using the FiOS quantum gateway with 1gbps service, I regularly download torrents over 20GB and never notice any issues.

Even multiple torrents at once isn't an issue. Though I tend not to use too many seeders, so concurrent connections isn't massive or anything.

My first guess would be you should replace the router.

 

[rh71]

Thanks for confirming there's no limitation. New router coming tomorrow. I suppose this getting progressively worse over time was an indication.

 

[rh71]

And of course today still with the same router, it's downloading a 4.25GB torrent wide open at 8MBps with no issues. Through VPN no less. Was it the bitter cold temps or something? I don't get it.

EDIT> No VPN it's going @ full 9.4MBps no problems.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

And of course today still with the same router, it's downloading a 4.25GB torrent wide open at 8MBps with no issues. Through VPN no less. Was it the bitter cold temps or something? I don't get it.

EDIT> No VPN it's going @ full 9.4MBps no problems.

Did you reboot/reset the router? Make any other changes to your networking config?

 

[rh71]

^ I did nothing since posting the OP except order a new router, which is sitting right here ready to go.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

^ I did nothing since posting the OP except order a new router, which is sitting right here ready to go.

You scared it!

 

[rh71]

I have the new router set up and it's still happening. I swapped out a new ethernet cable and also directly connected the coax from the ONT to the router. It used to be coax to a splitter to both tv & router and I've eliminated that. It's still disconnecting me. As I mentioned before, it never did this with the non-quantum router and has been happening since day 1, albeit not as frequent as now, with the quantum gateway router.

 

[mnewsham]

Then it sounds like an ONT issue.


You could try throwing your torrents through a VPN or SOCKS proxy or similar if you believe you're being throttled due to the type of download it is. But my inkling is still on it being a hardware issue somewhere in your chain.

 

[rh71]

I did have it going through Torguard's SOCKS5 proxy too (originally).

Verizon ran a test on the line and that's fine. They're sending me the old Actiontec router for a try. The Gateway manufacturer support line couldn't figure it out either but confirms it's due to the number of connections coming in and it's protecting itself. Doesn't explain why it's ok for others though.

 

[mnewsham]

I still don't think that's it, i have zero issues, and there are plenty of other people I know on FiOS 1gbps service who also download a LOT on torrents (3-4TB+ a month) and the G1100 router works fine with LAN and even several 100's of seeders/leeches simultaneously.

But hey, hopefully the old actiontec works for you.

 

[Gryz]

Misread the OP's reply. "I did nothing".

 

[rh71]

New router (old Actiontec) is working 100% ok for a week now. With & without VPN. 2 Quantum Gateway routers I got were the issue. Don't know why this isn't the case for everyone on a Gateway router. At least I'm still getting the full 75/75 on the Actiontec too, but the wifi is not as good.

 

[mnewsham]

New router (old Actiontec) is working 100% ok for a week now. With & without VPN. 2 Quantum Gateway routers I got were the issue. Don't know why this isn't the case for everyone on a Gateway router. At least I'm still getting the full 75/75 on the Actiontec too, but the wifi is not as good.

The actiontec is fine up to around 500mbps, after that the G1100 (or any other router you feel like using that is fast enough) is required.

The fact Verizon doesn't require you to use their router means many of the heavier FiOS users are running custom PfSense boxes or similar more robust hardware/software routing solutions.

The G1100 is a great router, offers fantastic performance at it's price, especially WAN/LAN and LAN/WAN throughput. But it's still very limited when compared to a true proper high end router.