New online problem. Sigh.

[charlesr]

360 ip (.7) is in the DMZ
Locked the 360 to .7 and checked that it's always .7 on the autodetect.

Every now and then I get chucked off Live and can't get back on.
Internet is available.
The Live Test waffles on about the ISP might be blocking Live. I'm with Nildram and they don't block anything as far as I'm aware.

Router seems to be behaving fine otherwise.

Any ideas?

[Spatial]

Have you tried opening the required ports instead of (or as well as) using the DMZ?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958431

I'm not sure why that would make a difference as the DMZ should mean it isn't necessary, but it might be worth a try? I only suggest it as it sounds like a problem I had ages ago where I kept getting random disconnects or slow down and found that the NAT kept going from open to strict of its own accord. Opening the ports sorted it out.

[charlesr]

Yeah, tried that already thanks.

It's highly odd. When you go to the connection test screen it says that Live is up and running, but I just can't connect. Coming back later seems to be the only option. Maybe the router is shafted....

[k0pp0]

Yep, get exactly the same thing with Tiscali. Was horrendous the first weekend that COD4 was released, same when skyplayer was released too. However I'm begining to think it's my router, as it's bloody ancient.

[belmondo]

Nildram use 'traffic shaping' so chances are there is contention and the XBL traffic is being dropped.

http://onlinesupport.nildram.net/cgi...bCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ!!

You could always try asking them what priority they give XBL traffic.

[charlesr]

I doubt there is contention on my exchange. There's no one on it. But I'll ask.

[charlesr]

Swift and useful response from the ever excellent nildram support peeps:

Like many ISP's we do carry out a degree of traffic management to maintain the quality of service to our customers. This is directed at Peer to Peer file sharing and NNTP Newsnet and this is managed dynamically based on load. XBox Live is not part of this and so should be given our "Best Effort" service across the Network.

We have had numerous customers reporting issues relating to XBox Live and so have escalated this to our Networks Team who have been investigating this for us. Through our diagnostics our hardware supplier believes that they have identified a possible issue in their firmware that could cause problems processing some XBox Live data. They stated that their next firmware update should fix this issue. Unfortunately, they didn’t provide the release date for this update.

As soon as we receive the new firmware we will apply it and retest.

The contention ratio for your connection from the local BT Exchange out onto the Network is 20:1.

[SUMIRE]

Yeah XBOX live traffic shouldnt be shaped. I know stuff like Rapidshare and torrent traffic is shaped during peaked times.

[EvilBoris]

also, having a DMZ running if you have UPNP enabled (which is usually on by default) can cause conflicts, try using just one or the other and see if it improves

[capcom_suicide]

Swift and useful response from the ever excellent nildram support peeps:

Sorry you had issues, but that is a WONDERFUL response from your ISP. It just so rare to see these days that a large ICT services company will actually give a customer the real facts. No more troubleshooting required at your side, and a solution on the horizon.

[charlesr]

also, having a DMZ running if you have UPNP enabled (which is usually on by default) can cause conflicts, try using just one or the other and see if it improves

I normally have UPnP disabled, but I checked anyway. Paranoia.

[charlesr]

Sorry you had issues, but that is a WONDERFUL response from your ISP. It just so rare to see these days that a large ICT services company will actually give a customer the real facts. No more troubleshooting required at your side, and a solution on the horizon.

Yeah agree, although at ?22pcm for what is (normally) the most stable connection on earth, it's the sort of support I expect.

[charlesr]

By the way, this is all fixed now (has been for a while). All super smooth.