New to Zen - couple of questions

I'm a new Zen customer (had my CityFibre FTTP installed last week) and I have a couple of questions.

I'm seeing packet drops and the occasional latency spike on the BQM so I've asked Zen Support to investigate this. Broadband speed seems okay though (paying for 100mbps and getting that) so is it normal to have packet drops and spikes on the connection?

I've had a look on the Fritzbox 7530 and I noticed these errors in the log...

22.11.23 16:04:34 Could not obtain IPv6 prefix. Reason for error: 6 (No prefixes have been assigned) [5 messages since 22.11.23 16:00:23]
22.11.23 16:00:23 Could not establish IPv6 internet connection: No response from DHCPv6 server (SOL).
22.11.23 16:00:14 Could not obtain IPv6 prefix. Reason for error: 6 (No prefixes have been assigned)

Does that indicate a configuration problem? Should I disable IPv6 or does it need altering slightly to stop the errors? (or does everyone get these errors?)

In reply to a post by Fmrl:

I'm seeing packet drops and the occasional latency spike on the BQM so I've asked Zen Support to investigate this. Broadband speed seems okay though (paying for 100mbps and getting that) so is it normal to have packet drops and spikes on the connection?

BQM's for Zen customers using Fritzbox's are well known to show packet loss because of the Fritzbox prioritising other more important traffic and dropping the ping requests. If you change the router for something else it will probably go away.

Edited by PCJM40 (Wed 22-Nov-23 16:38:26)

In reply to a post by Fmrl:

I've had a look on the Fritzbox 7530 and I noticed these errors in the log...

22.11.23 16:04:34 Could not obtain IPv6 prefix. Reason for error: 6 (No prefixes have been assigned) [5 messages since 22.11.23 16:00:23]
22.11.23 16:00:23 Could not establish IPv6 internet connection: No response from DHCPv6 server (SOL).
22.11.23 16:00:14 Could not obtain IPv6 prefix. Reason for error: 6 (No prefixes have been assigned)

Does that indicate a configuration problem? Should I disable IPv6 or does it need altering slightly to stop the errors? (or does everyone get these errors?)

Do you have IPv6 enabled on your service? at one time this had to be requested and then enabled by Zen support team.

Edited by PCJM40 (Wed 22-Nov-23 16:36:47)

I had similar problems but configured the router to forward pings to my Nas box and all the dripping blood disappeared. I doubt it’s anything to worry about. I wish the BQM had the ability to lower the ping rate which might improve the appearance of the plots.

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

In reply to a post by Fmrl:

I'm seeing packet drops and the occasional latency spike on the BQM so I've asked Zen Support to investigate this. Broadband speed seems okay though (paying for 100mbps and getting that) so is it normal to have packet drops and spikes on the connection?

BQM's for Zen customers using Fritzbox's are well known to show packet loss because of the Fritzbox prioritising other more important traffic and dropping the ping requests. If you change the router for something else it will probably go away.

That's a huge relief, thankyou. So it's nothing to worry about? I think I'll stick with the Fritzbox for now.

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

In reply to a post by Fmrl:

I've had a look on the Fritzbox 7530 and I noticed these errors in the log...

22.11.23 16:04:34 Could not obtain IPv6 prefix. Reason for error: 6 (No prefixes have been assigned) [5 messages since 22.11.23 16:00:23]
22.11.23 16:00:23 Could not establish IPv6 internet connection: No response from DHCPv6 server (SOL).
22.11.23 16:00:14 Could not obtain IPv6 prefix. Reason for error: 6 (No prefixes have been assigned)

Does that indicate a configuration problem? Should I disable IPv6 or does it need altering slightly to stop the errors? (or does everyone get these errors?)

Do you have IPv6 enabled on your service? at one time this had to be requested and then enabled by Zen support team.

I'm new to Zen so I've no idea if this is something that comes with their service or needs to be requested. I did find a menu on the Fritzbox that lets me switch off IPv6 so I might try that instead.

I've got a ticket raised with their support team anyway so I'll ask about the IPv6 option (I don't have any IPv6 devices configured so I guess it's not really needed?)

In reply to a post by Fmrl:

That's a huge relief, thankyou. So it's nothing to worry about? I think I'll stick with the Fritzbox for now.

For your own piece of mind try this packet loss test site, don't forget to select the UK server in the dropdown left of the Start Test button. You can play with the test setting to make the test more aggressive if you want too.

https://packetlosstest.com/

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

In reply to a post by Fmrl:

That's a huge relief, thankyou. So it's nothing to worry about? I think I'll stick with the Fritzbox for now.

For your own piece of mind try this packet loss test site, don't forget to select the UK server in the dropdown left of the Start Test button. You can play with the test setting to make the test more aggressive if you want too.

https://packetlosstest.com/

I'm bookmarking that site, looks really useful, thanks.

I just gave it something thick to chew on ("1080p game stream") and the connection handled it without any drops so I think it's okay after all.

I've also disabled IPv6 for now, doesn't seem to make any difference whether it's on or off (apart from the errors in the event log when it's enabled).

Edited by Fmrl (Wed 22-Nov-23 17:21:10)

In reply to a post by Fmrl:

I just gave it something thick to chew on ("1080p game stream") and the connection handled it without any drops so I think it's okay after all.

I've also disabled IPv6 for now, doesn't seem to make any difference whether it's on or off (apart from the errors in the event log when it's enabled).

Thats good news

In reply to a post by Fmrl:

I'm new to Zen so I've no idea if this is something that comes with their service or needs to be requested.

IPv6 is part of the service! You should have a login for your Zen account control panel / customer area at zen.co.uk. There you should be able to find both your IPv4 and IPv6 fixed IP addresses.

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

In reply to a post by Fmrl:

I'm new to Zen so I've no idea if this is something that comes with their service or needs to be requested.

IPv6 is part of the service! You should have a login for your Zen account control panel / customer area at zen.co.uk. There you should be able to find both your IPv4 and IPv6 fixed IP addresses.

I checked on the Zen Portal - only thing mentioned there is my IPv4 address

Zen Support asked me to factory reset my ONT earlier today so they could set up a monitoring tool (maybe they use BQM too!). I was just looking at the event log on the Fritzbox and I noticed it's paired with LON now, previously it had paired with MAN. I'm assuming these are London and Manchester data centres?

Does the pairing make any huge difference? Is it location dependant? (I live in the North so geographically Manchester would be closer, but maybe the fibre routing makes London the shortest path?)

In reply to a post by Fmrl:

I checked on the Zen Portal - only thing mentioned there is my IPv4 address

I wonder if that's because you are on a CityFIbre circuit? You'd have thought a brand new infrastructure would be built for IPv6. I'm on yea olde FTTC via OpenReach and I have plenty of IPv6.
OTOH the Zen portal isn't as detailed as it was, a quick glance ay mine and it seems the IPv6 is empty. But I have both ND WAN and PD WAN entries on the next lines. Otherwise we can blame CF!

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

In reply to a post by Fmrl:

I checked on the Zen Portal - only thing mentioned there is my IPv4 address

I wonder if that's because you are on a CityFIbre circuit? You'd have thought a brand new infrastructure would be built for IPv6. I'm on yea olde FTTC via OpenReach and I have plenty of IPv6.
OTOH the Zen portal isn't as detailed as it was, a quick glance ay mine and it seems the IPv6 is empty. But I have both ND WAN and PD WAN entries on the next lines. Otherwise we can blame CF!

But my understanding is that the carrier (OR or CF) don't provide layer 3, only layer 1 and 2.

Next time Zen Support email me I'll ask them about IPv6 - the Fritzbox was complaining about it not working in the event log before I disabled it so someone must have configured it to be enabled before it was sent to me. I don't think it will improve performance though, I'm just being OCD.

AFAIK IPv6 needs to be requested still...
I was just trying to find the ipv6 help page but the new help site is confusing!

I requested IPV6 by emailing [email protected] and asking to be enabled, you will probably need to give them your Zen ID but mail and ask to be activated.

In reply to a post by RichTea23:

AFAIK IPv6 needs to be requested still...
I was just trying to find the ipv6 help page but the new help site is confusing!

I requested IPV6 by emailing [email protected] and asking to be enabled, you will probably need to give them your Zen ID but mail and ask to be activated.

I might try that later, thankyou. I don't think it would make any difference to my connection though.

Seems odd that IPv6 is enabled on the Fritzbox if it's something you need to ask for.

I've been setting up a NAS on the Fritzbox this afternoon, took a while to get my Ubuntu box to talk to it but I think that was mostly due to my lack of understanding of Samba!

It was always the case in the past that you had to request it, but I'm no longer a Zen customer so things may have changed.

Also new to Zen and member here after lurking.

See here https://www.zen.co.uk/business/products-services/net...

Why should I get IPv6?

We know that IPv4 will be around - and work alongside IPv6 - for years to come, but IPv6 will become more and more important.

At Zen, we have worked to ensure that our broadband services are IPv6 compatible. After undergoing a series of trials, we're now able to offer an IPv6 address to every broadband customer. Moving to IPv6 is free on all our broadband services. Simply fill in the form below, and our team will be in touch to discuss your IP address change.

Also new to Zen.
Ref IPv6


From their website.

"Why should I get IPv6?

We know that IPv4 will be around - and work alongside IPv6 - for years to come, but IPv6 will become more and more important.
At Zen, we have worked to ensure that our broadband services are IPv6 compatible. After undergoing a series of trials, we're now able to offer an IPv6 address to every broadband customer. Moving to IPv6 is free on all our broadband services. Simply fill in the form below, and our team will be in touch to discuss your IP address change."

In reply to a post by DevonUser:

Also new to Zen and member here after lurking.

See here https://www.zen.co.uk/business/products-services/net...

Why should I get IPv6?

We know that IPv4 will be around - and work alongside IPv6 - for years to come, but IPv6 will become more and more important.

At Zen, we have worked to ensure that our broadband services are IPv6 compatible. After undergoing a series of trials, we're now able to offer an IPv6 address to every broadband customer. Moving to IPv6 is free on all our broadband services. Simply fill in the form below, and our team will be in touch to discuss your IP address change.

That's on their Business page (but it does say it's for "every broadband customer" so does that mean it applies to home customers too?) - I will ask them about it.

I had a reply from Zen Support today. They said it didn't matter if I was paired with LON or MAN, it should be the same performance. I reconnected the Fritzbox this afternoon and it paired with MAN again.

Strange thing is, they said they couldn't ping my IP address which is odd as I thought it was pingable (isn't this what BQM uses to estimate the reachability and performance?). They asked if I'd disabled ping somehow but I just said I hadn't changed anything on the Fritzbox and I wouldn't know where to look to block it anyway.

I was looking at my BQM earlier and it's looking better, hardly any red for the last couple of days. A few yellow latency spikes though but nowhere near as bad as it was earlier in the week.

EDIT: I just had a quick chat with Zen Support - yes, I can have IPv6 if I want. I've said I'd leave it off for now as I don't think there'd be any benefit.

Before they can look into the occasional dropout/latency problem they've asked me to do a factory reset on both the ONT and Fritzbox - seems a bit drastic (especially as I've only been connected for a week!) but I guess it's standard procedure. I said I wasn't keen on wiping the router config as I've altered things like the WLAN and NAS settings (which shouldn't have any effect on the external ping anyway). Maybe I'll factory reset it over the weekend if I don't have anything better to do!

Edited by Fmrl (Fri 24-Nov-23 19:17:11)

Can you access https://loopsofzen.uk/ ? I can on my Zen line.

In reply to a post by jelv:

Can you access https://loopsofzen.uk/ ? I can on my Zen line.

I can't because it's IPv6

I had my account enabled for IPv6 simply by emailing support. I think it was done the next day. Several devices appear to be using it but I am not aware of it making any difference.

In reply to a post by ParksidePeter:

I had my account enabled for IPv6 simply by emailing support. I think it was done the next day. Several devices appear to be using it but I am not aware of it making any difference.

That's working as intended then!

The last few days of BQM have been relatively clean with only a few dropouts and latency spikes reported per day so I'm not sure if this means Zen found a problem and fixed it or if it's just "settled down" (if there is such a thing with fibre).

Anyway, I've decided not to pursue it any further with Zen as it seems to be working okay now.

I've just sent an email to Zen requesting IPv6 activation so fingers crossed that should be enabled in a day or two. I'll then have another look at the Fritzbox config to see how to switch it back on.

28.11.23 16:50:12 IPv6 prefix obtained successfully.
28.11.23 16:50:12 IPv6 internet connection established successfully.

All working and surprisingly painless.

In reply to a post by Fmrl:

All working and surprisingly painless.

Good to hear

Now you have IPv6, do you have an IPv6 device inside your network that is permanently on? If so try setting up a BQM to that (you have to allow the pings through the Fritz box firewall).

I've found that the BQM to the Fritz box isa bit iffy as to de-prioritizes responding to pings but the BQM to my NAS is absolutely fine.

where are you based and can you do some ping test / traceroute.


to 8888 1111 and fastly.com? thank you

In reply to a post by uziring:

where are you based and can you do some ping test / traceroute.


to 8888 1111 and fastly.com? thank you

No, if you want to join in the conversation feel free to do so but don't just jump in to a thread with your very first post on the board and ask for someone to do pings or traceroutes without any background why you need it.

just wanted to compare my ping on zen to his, i dont see an issue with that but ok... ?

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

No, if you want to join in the conversation feel free to do so but don't just jump in to a thread with your very first post on the board and ask for someone to do pings or traceroutes without any background why you need it.

I don't see anything wrong with what this user requested, it's totally reasonable. It is up to the OP if he wishes to respond or not, whether a user is new or old it should make no difference.

As long as it's within the rules of this forum it's well within the scope of what's reasonable to ask unless you think otherwise? Ultimately I think the reason for someone requesting for pings is pretty obvious to begin with, this isn't a good impression to give to a new user to the forums.

Edited by 0007 (Wed 06-Dec-23 14:11:10)

In reply to a post by uziring:

just wanted to compare my ping on zen to his, i dont see an issue with that but ok... ?

You responded to my post so asked me not the OP and I am not on Zen.

In reply to a post by 0007:

I don't see anything wrong with what this user requested, it's totally reasonable. It is up to the OP if he wishes to respond or not, whether a user is new or old it should make no difference.

If you had bothered to look at the thread you would have noticed I was asked (not the OP) to do the ping/traceroute so I do have the right to say I will or won't.

In reply to a post by 0007:

As long as it's within the rules of this forum it's well within the scope of what's reasonable to ask unless you think otherwise? Ultimately I think the reason for someone requesting for pings is pretty obvious to begin with

Common decency to say what your problem is and why you need someone to do something for you was missing or are we in a society that doesn't believe it that any more.

In reply to a post by 0007:

this isn't a good impression to give to a new user to the forums.

Quiet the reverse, to jump into a thread in the way they did with their very first post doesn't reflect well on them.

Thank you for poking your nose in anyway but may be you could check whats happening before you do it in the future.

Edited by PCJM40 (Wed 06-Dec-23 17:30:22)

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

Thank you for poking your nose in anyway but may be you could check whats happening before you do it in the future.

If I can quote from your posting of Mon 18-Sep-23 08:41:33,

"Just because you disagree with my comments don't be disrespectful."

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

If I can quote from your posting of Mon 18-Sep-23 08:41:33,

"Just because you disagree with my comments don't be disrespectful."

Man, you are bitter and I feel sorry for you.

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

If I can quote from your posting of Mon 18-Sep-23 08:41:33,

"Just because you disagree with my comments don't be disrespectful."

Man, you are bitter and I feel sorry for you.

Not bitter, just take offence at arrogant know-it-alls who don't see the irony of their double standards.

Edited by GonePostal (Thu 07-Dec-23 08:52:46)

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

Not bitter, just take offence at arrogant know-it-alls who don't see the irony of their double standards.

You are bitter, you just can't see it over your own ego. Below still cracks me up as its so pathetic.

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

Just for the record I have now reported your post for weaponising the "report this post" button.

Man, get a life.

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

Not bitter, just take offence at arrogant know-it-alls who don't see the irony of their double standards.

You are bitter, you just can't see it over your own ego. Below still cracks me up as its so pathetic.

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

Just for the record I have now reported your post for weaponising the "report this post" button.

Man, get a life.

Pot - kettle?

I seem to remember that you reported a post of mine in the first place as I had the gall to suggest that you were talking rot which brought about my clearly mickey-taking action and post that you quote. So you not only live in a world of double standards but also a world without a sense of humour. God rest your soul.

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

I seem to remember that you reported a post of mine in the first place as I had the gall to suggest that you were talking rot which brought about my clearly mickey-taking action and post that you quote. So you not only live in a world of double standards but also a world without a sense of humour. God rest your soul.

I know some people believe that those working (or have worked) for the Royal Mail don't use their brains but you are certainly proving that theory with your comments. Go and check the posts you speak of as no where does it imply I reported you and I don't even have a report button because my post total is too low. With regards to the "Pot Kettle?" I can see thats a common suggestion by you when you're not getting your own way which brings us back to you.

Edited by PCJM40 (Fri 08-Dec-23 10:30:00)

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

I seem to remember that you reported a post of mine in the first place as I had the gall to suggest that you were talking rot which brought about my clearly mickey-taking action and post that you quote. So you not only live in a world of double standards but also a world without a sense of humour. God rest your soul.

I know some people believe that those working (or have worked) for the Royal Mail don't use their brains but you are certainly proving that theory with your comments. Go and check the posts you speak of as no where does it imply I reported you and I don't even have a report button because my post total is too low. With regards to the "Pot Kettle?" I can see thats a common suggestion by you when you're not getting your own way which brings us back to you.

My memory is in error and it is a fair cop. While we will continue to disagree the comments you make about the "report" button are absolutely correct and it is a direct quote from an earlier posting of mine.. I can only apologise to you and the other readers of the Forum for that error on my part.

I don't think this is hugely helpful.