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1. Why use the Monitor·An Overview
·Do I need to keep my PC on 24/7
·What status reports do I get?
·Is it Free?
·Join a Line Monitor Group - Free Service
·Can I see a screenshot?
·Am I getting what I paid my ISP for?
·Why do I care about reliability?
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BBR Line Monitoring
A closer look at one of our site tools
Posted on 2005-08-14 08:00:05
Written by lilhurricane 
Have you ever wanted to brag about your broadband connection's stability but lacked the proof? What about those days when your connection seems a little sluggish but you are not sure why? Did you ever get the impression that the ISP call center doesn't believe you really have a problem?
Let's take a look at an easy way to compare your DSL, Cable, Satellite or other broadband connection with your neighbor across the street or around the globe. With BroadbandReports Line Monitoring you can have a wonderful diagnostic tool that provides detailed & reliable up-to-the-minute information about your connections.
Continuous easy to read graphing setup for your convenience:
BroadbandReports Line Monitoring provides you with Hourly, Daily, Long & Short Term reports. These diagnostic reports will arrive weekly in your email inbox and are available online anytime and look just like this one.
You'll have an interesting way to instantly see how your line conditions compare with fellow members or neighbors.
Some of our individual forums are already on board with Line Monitoring:
The SBC Midwest - Ameritech forum has an Unofficial Status Page covering the service areas in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. lev , Riss_Centaur and rolande can help get you added, step by step instructions can be found in the FAQ: Setup and How to Join
Southeast City Chat - which covers States in the Southeastern US including Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, Tennessee, and Florida here: Southeast Forum Line Monitor
Northern California City Chat - which has participants all over The Bay Area of San Francisco and beyond, located here: Northern California Forum Line Monitor
We are also providing line monitoring for the active AT&T Southeast Forum as shown here: AT&T Southeast Forum Line Monitor
So what do you need to get started?
1. A connection that is on 24/7, since that is the most effective way to monitor a connection. Those with Cable/DSL routers can take advantage of this easily, leaving the router on to be monitored. Those without routers will need to leave their PC’s running at all times, staying connected through PPPoE software.
2. A BBR Line Monitoring Service Account . The service costs 1 Tool Point (approximately $1 per week).
The first week is free. After the first week, you'll need to acquire Tool Points to continue participating.
*Note: Your monitor will be terminated after the first week if you do not buy tool points..
Here is a great way to help support the site while enjoying a super way to monitor your connection with the tools that only the pros use!
For more information or assistance - or for inclusion to one of the above forums, please contact either: jazzman916 or lilhurricane .
We'll be happy to get you started!
The BBR Line Monitoring is for informational purposes only and does not in any way replace official status reports or support from your ISP. Thanks to RadioDoc and others who were integral in building the original concept.
*** The information in this article was put together by jazzman916 and lilhurricane .
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by mjf
last modified: 2007-03-25 11:03:59 |
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No, it isn't necessary.
If your IP address is held by your PC, then the monitor will show blank periods with 100% loss while your PC is off.
If your IP is held by your home router that is constantly powered, then your monitoring will show 24x7 results.
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2005-12-01 17:50:17 |
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This is an example of a line monitor report that is emailed weekly. These reports are also available online, anytime.
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2005-08-24 14:14:46 |
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Basic monitoring is (was) free for signups prior to September 25th 2000. This does not mean accounts prior to that date, it refers to monitoring begun and continuously maintained since before that date. If free monitoring was interrupted and then re-initiated, it is no longer free.
New signups cost 1 Tool Point per week, per module.
If you are a member of a line monitor group e.g. »[Services] Member Line Stats, then the monitor is free. See this FAQ entry »Line Monitoring FAQ »Join a Line Monitor Group - Free Service
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2008-04-05 22:38:17 |
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To join one of these groups contact the Host/Moderator of the respective group forum e.g. contact jazzman916 , Host/Moderator of the AT&T Southeast Forum to join the AT&T Southeast-NC line monitor group.
The following are the current Line Monitoring groups providing the free monitoring service:
Contact lev to join the following groups:
AT&T Illinois
AT&T Indiana
AT&T Michigan
AT&T Wisconsin
AT&T Ohio
Chicago Area
Contact lilhurricane to join the following groups:
Tri-State Monitors
SE Forum Monitors
NoCal Line Monitors
RCN Line Monitors
Atlanta Line Monitors
Insight Line Monitors
Canadian Line Monitoring
TD Cruncher Monitors
DFW Line Monitors
Contact jazzman916 to join the following groups:
AT&T Southeast 9 State Region
AT&T Southeast-AL
AT&T Southeast-KY
AT&T Southeast-TN
AT&T Southeast-SC
AT&T Southeast-NC
AT&T Southeast-GA
AT&T Southeast-FL
AT&T Southeast-MS
AT&T Southeast-LA
Contact fourboxers to join the following groups:
Windstream
TekSavvy
AT&T NE
Contact sashwa to join the following groups:
DSLX
EPN
Embarq
Earthlink DSL
Boston aka New England
Verizon DSL
Verizon Fiber Optics
Contact sortofageek to join the following groups:
Comcast HSI in California
Comcast HSI in Colorado
Comcast HSI in Florida
Comcast HSI in Illinois
Comcast HSI in Massachusetts
Comcast HSI in Michigan
Comcast HSI in New Jersey
Comcast HSI in Pennsylvania
Comcast HSI in Tennessee
Comcast HSI in Washington D. C.
Comcast HSI in Washington State
And if your Comcast State is not represented contact sortofageek to set one up.
Contact Lex Luthor to join the following group:
Optimum Online
Contact Flippant to join the following groups:
ATT Southwest Region
AT&T u-verse
Texas Gulf Coast Region
Contact skj to join the following groups:
AT&T West
Charter
Contact seagreen to join the following group:
Southern California regional
Contact dbmaven to join the following RoadRunner groups:
New York Metro/New Jersey
Texas
Ohio
Southern California
Triad (Carolinas)
Florida
Philadelphia
Upstate NY
Contact Axilla to join the following group:
Central WI
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by mjf
last modified: 2008-04-07 08:44:46 |
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We've annotated an existing monitor setup as an example.
Please refer to this image.
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2006-05-10 22:07:33 |
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Are you getting a quality line? How do you KNOW?
Compare your line against others in your area, or on your ISP. In the weekly report, get rated from EXCELLENT to BAD in a number of key metrics.
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edited by KeysCapt
last modified: 2004-03-10 21:49:14 |
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If you are providing any kind of service on your line (web, email or FTP or other), you know how important reliability is. Check up at any time, to ensure that everything has been continuously available while your attention was elsewhere. Get alerts of outages, leaving you free to pay attention to more important things.
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2. Basic Monitoring·What is Basic Monitoring
·How to STOP monitoring?
·Will monitoring slow my connection?
·Explain the free first week?
·Where/What is the line monitor account number?
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Basic Monitoring provides ping time, packet loss & quality metrics, comparisons, graphics and optional weekly report via email for your Residential Line. We require that you reveal your ISP, location (zip code or country) and speed, so we can provide interesting public statistics.
Business Lines must use premium monitoring.
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2007-11-22 13:26:28 |
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Visit the "Control center", and click "edit" next to any line monitor. You will then see a STOP MONITOR button at the bottom.
Thanks to PIKE for help with this entry.
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by KeysCapt
last modified: 2002-09-11 13:22:51 |
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Absolutely not.
Three tiny ping packets are sent no more than once every 10 minutes. This is considerably less than even the background "noise" a typical DSL or cable line has on it.
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edited by KeysCapt
last modified: 2004-03-10 21:51:56 |
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Monitoring is free for a week after we get first data from your IP. Dynamic IP setup time, or configuration to become pingable is free as well.
Deduction of Tool Points happens after the first week of data is received, and weekly thereafter.
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edited by KeysCapt
last modified: 2004-03-10 21:51:36 |
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The dynamic monitor you setup is allocated a unique number. You can get this unique number from the link Line Monitoring Control Center.. it is the 6 digit number displayed after the text identifying your line monitor.
This six digit number is your "account" number for this line. You must provide the dynamic DNS client this number, it goes into the Host Name or DNS Name field.
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by mjf
last modified: 2005-08-09 18:29:06 |
3. Premium Monitoring·What is Premium Monitoring?
·How do I upgrade to Premium
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In addition to all the features of basic monitoring, premium monitoring enables you to monitor a url as well as an IP address.
Also, if you have a Business IP, you should use premium monitoring.
Otherwise, there is no difference.
Pricing schedule is located here: »/schedule
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2007-11-23 12:17:42 |
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Edit the Basic Monitor and you will find a button that upgrades it to Premium.
Suspended monitors (evaluation period ended) cannot be upgraded.
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edited by KeysCapt
last modified: 2004-07-06 07:04:42 |
4. Monitoring DHCP and PPPoE·Can you monitor changing IP addresses?
·Where do I review other dynamic DNS clients?
·Can I supply a domain name for monitoring instead of an IP address?
·The Dynamic DNS Client .NET Edition is out. Where can I find information on it?
·Basic web URL update command
·How do I configure Dynamic DNS 4.0?
·Configuration of all dynamic DNS clients
·How do I configure DynSite for Windows?
·Which client do you recommend?
·I cannot get my Dynamic Client to send my IP!
·How do I configure DeeEnEss?
·How do I configure Linux/Perl ddclient?
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No problem.
Whether it is a DHCP line, or a PPPoE connection where you are allocated a new IP address every time you "log in", we can track this if you are prepared to install one of our supported dynamic DNS clients.
A dynamic DNS client is setup to "call home" (when it starts up or when it sees you have a new IP address) to tell us what the current IP is. When we see the IP address change, we flip to monitoring the new IP!
Warning for PPPoE users: If you are not always-on, then the disconnection of PPPoE when you logout, requires your dynamic DNS client to place your IP into an offline state first by telling us this, otherwise we will not know you have logged out!
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2008-04-25 23:18:56 |
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The dyndns.com support page has links to a number of clients for various operating systems.
We have only currently tested operation with windows clients: Dynamic DNS 4.0, DeeEnEss and the DynSite client but our Mac/OS X users also recommend dyndns.com and OpenDNS.
If you have a client that supports plugins, just copy and modify whatever dyndns.org config file it comes with, changing the update url to www.dslreports.com/nic, and thats it!
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2008-04-15 08:56:44 |
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Simple answer: Yes!
If you prefer to use the free dynamic DNS update software provided by the dynamic DNS host, such as the N0-IP.com's program rather than "shareware" like DynSite that one has to pay extra for, or may not wish to run multiple DNS update clients at the same time.
Check 'Dynamic IP'
Enter your dynamic DNS name into 'IP from this DNS'
Save the setup.
Wait up to two minutes then check, if the DNS name resolves, the IP will show in the 'STATIC IP' field, but it will change when your DNS name resolves to a new IP.
If a member with DHCP or PPPoE service elects to supply a domain name (such as "rdotson.net" for example) in lieu of a static IP address, he or she has the responsibility to ensure that their DNS listings are kept current.
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by RKBA edited by mjf
last modified: 2006-12-19 21:46:53 |
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Go to the bottom of the page at this website for the free Dynamic DNS Client .NET Edition - Lite.
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by Skipdawg edited by mjf
last modified: 2005-08-24 14:06:53 |
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To update your line monitor, a call to the following URL will work:
Where NNNNNN is your 'line monitor ID number' and username and password are your site login name and password..
You may test this URL manually from a browser and receive a confirmation or error message if there is something wrong
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2006-02-27 15:48:14 |
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Please download dyndns.zip <-- extract this zip file into your Dynamic DNS 4.0 directory. This should add a dslreports service to the menu of services.
Having done that, setup the screen as per this screenshot.
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The dynamic monitor you setup is allocated a unique number. You can get this unique number from the link Line Monitoring Control Center.. it is the 6 digit number displayed after the text identifying your line monitor.
This six digit number is your "account" number for this line. You must provide the dynamic DNS client this number, it goes into the Host Name or DNS Name field.
You must also tell the Dynamic DNS client your dslreports login name and password, as the update procedure is password protected.
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2005-08-09 10:00:45 |
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Windows client DynSite has just been upgraded to include support for DSLreports monitoring from the start. Or, if you have an older version, simply download dslr.zip and extract the contents (one file) into your DynSite program directory, restart DynSite.
When it is running, use the account assistant (right mouse button from the dynsite icon in your windows system tray) to find "dslreports monitoring" (Dynamic DNS server-type).
Select dslreports monitoring and continue, as with any client we support, you must put in your dslreports site login and password (check the "this account needs a password" option). Then move on to "configure a host", enter your dynamic monitor line account number as the "Host" (leave domain name as dslreports.com), and provide any screen name and account name you wish (these are for DynSite display only).
If you have done everything correctly, have configured DynSite elsewhere to say you are on a fulltime connection, and are online, DynSite will quickly update your line monitor with your public IP, and show "Successfully updated" against entry NNNN.dslreports.com in its main status window.
The status tab of DynSite may say The host does not resolve yet, this message can be ignored, as it relates to dynamic DNS services.
You should also be able to verify this IP is now listed in the Maintain Monitors link above.
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2006-04-18 21:27:24 |
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The smallest and simplest client is DeeEnEss but that is good for DHCP connections only, it does not handle PPPoE logoff in any way.
For a fully featured client capable of updating many dynamic DNS services, and the DSL reports monitor as well, try DynSite. If you don't like either of these, try Dynamic DNS 4.0 or Dynamic DNS Client .NET Edition - Lite.
There is a page full of others at: dyndns.com
If you use any that have not been certified and they work, please let mjf know.
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2008-04-15 08:56:12 |
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Common causes:
• Your DSLR account is still unverified. You must have received the temporary password and logged in using it, to fix your account. If you are unsure of the status of your account, visit this page to check.
To manually check you can authenticate, please visit this URL to check that it at least accepts your username and password OK. If you get past the username/password prompt ok, then all is well, and you will get a page with the message: Error: Invalid Action.
• You have not entered your dslreports login name and password into your dynamic DNS client correctly. Verify carefully you are using the same username and password as you would do to login to the site.
• You are not entering the correct line monitoring account number into your dynamic DNS client. It should be a six digit number starting with 1 or 2 or 3.. this number is explained here:
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2005-08-09 21:07:10 |
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In the accounts section, find dslreports in the Server list, and click ADD.
Now edit these entries: Put your Account Number into Host, enter your dslreports username and password into the next two fields.
DeeEnEss needs to figure out your public IP address. It might have trouble with this if you public IP address is not on your actual PC, but on a router or proxy server.. in which case, you probably need to change IP Detection to Web based and Interface to DynDNS.
You can download it here: »www.palacio-cristal.com/products/DeeEnEs/
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2006-04-18 21:25:38 |
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DDClient, is easily configurable to support BroadbandReports monitoring. Follow the INSTALLATION instructions, edit /etc/ddclient.conf to add an entry that looks like
protocol=broadbandreports1, \
server=www.broadbandreports.com, \
login=myloginname, \
password=thepassword,
unique-ID
Then you can setup the rest of the program.
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edited by Mike
last modified: 2004-04-07 15:16:31 |
5. Firewalls and NAT·Where are the monitors? IP addresses?
·How do I setup Zone Alarm?
·How to make SonicWALL pingable
·Can you monitor a firewall?
·Linksys, DLink and other routers
·How should NIS2K be setup?
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The machines that (currently) do the monitoring are
ny-monitor.dslreports.com
sjc-monitor.dslreports.com no longer available
64.81.79.40 & 64.81.79.41(sfo-monitor.dslreports.com)
These hosts should be be added to your firewall if ICMP ping is being blocked. The IP addresses do change from time to time, so if you must enter IP address and not DNS name, then please do an NSLOOKUP or PING to make sure of the current IP address.
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edited by KeysCapt
last modified: 2008-03-31 08:04:17 |
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Zone Alarm has two zones. Local Zone and Internet Zone. It is normal to set Local Zone security to medium or lower. You must then place our monitoring stations into the list of "local hosts". Please check this screenshot to see an example of the properties screen of Local Zone setup correctly to except our monitoring systems. Please note that the IP's in that screenshot are not the current IP's.
The machines that (currently) do the monitoring are
ny-monitor.dslreports.com
sjc-monitor.dslreports.com
dslreports-west2.speakeasy.net (64.81.79.40 AND 64.81.79.41)
These hosts should be be added to your firewall if ICMP ping is being blocked. The IP addresses do change from time to time, so if you must enter IP address and not DNS name, then please do an NSLOOKUP or PING to make sure of the current IP address.
Important: if you PADLOCK your zonealarm, no matter what, you are disconnected from the net. This will break monitoring. If you wish fulltime line monitoring, the PADLOCK function should not be used.
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If you have a SonicWALL hardware firewall there are two methods you can use to setup your system to respond to pings:
Method 1: You can pass incoming pings through the SonicWALL to a PC on the LAN and then have the PC respond to the pings.
Method 2: You can have the SonicWALL respond to pings directly.
To use Method 1 (your PC responds to pings) follow these steps:
(1a) Open the SonicWALL web admin by entering the SonicWALL's LAN IP address into a web browser on a PC on the LAN side of the SonicWALL.
(1b) Go to Access, Services and make sure Ping shows up in the list of services. If not, add the Ping service.
(1c) Go to Access, Rules, Add New Rule and add two rules
Rule 1
- Action=allow
- Service=ping
- Source=WAN, 216.200.176.6 <= DSLR WC server “sjc-monitor.dslreports.com”
- Destination=LAN, 192.x.x.x <= LAN address of PC to respond to pings
Rule 2
- Action=allow
- Service=ping
- Source=WAN, 206.65.191.129 <= DSLR EC server “ny-monitor.dslreports.com”
- Destination=LAN, 192.x.x.x <= LAN address of PC to respond to pings
(1d) If you have a software firewall on the LAN PC be sure to allow pings there as well.
To use Method 2 (SonicWALL responds to pings) follow these steps:
(2a) Open the SonicWALL web admin by entering the SonicWALL's LAN IP address into a web browser on a PC on the LAN side of the SonicWALL.
(2b) Go to Access, Services and make sure Ping shows up in the list of services. If not, add the Ping service.
(2c) Go to Access, Rules, Add New Rule and add two rules
Rule 1
- Action=allow
- Service=ping
- Source=WAN, 216.200.176.6 <= DSLR WC server “sjc-monitor.dslreports.com”
- Destination=LAN, 192.x.x.x <= LAN address of SonicWALL
Rule 2
- Action=allow
- Service=ping
- Source=WAN, 206.65.191.129 <= DSLR EC server “ny-monitor.dslreports.com”
- Destination=LAN, 192.x.x.x <= LAN address of SonicWALL
General notes:
You can have the SonicWALL “stealth mode” enabled (Access, Services, Stealth Mode) and both methods will still work.
You can use “*” for the WAN address in the SonicWALL rules to allow pings from anyone, but the nice thing about using explicit rules for each DSLR server is that you don't make yourself visible to the general public. I don't think it's a security risk to leave the server-specific rules in place. Of course, if DSLR changes their server IP addresses you need to change your rules.
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by wingman8 edited by KeysCapt
last modified: 2002-07-23 14:07:27 |
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If your firewall responds to ICMP ping packets, as many do, then we can monitor your connection. Instructions for specific firewalls and network share devices follow.
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Recent Linksys, DLink and other routers' firmware allows you to configure the router to be unpingable from outside. "Block WAN Requests" for older devices and "Block Anonymous Internet Requests" for newer 'Cisco' branded devices. DLink uses "Discard PING from WAN side". Enabling these router features will break monitoring.
We recommend if you wish to be monitored, do not select the "Block WAN Requests"/"Block Anonymous Internet Requests"/"Discard PING from WAN side" option on the router configuration screen. Your router can still be password protected, and will be secure.
Also try disabling "SPI" , as this also may block external pings.
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edited by mjf
last modified: 2006-05-02 08:48:35 |
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Configure to allow incoming icmp request and outgoing icmp reply to/from our two monitoring stations. move these rules to be 1st rules just to be sure that they wont' be blocked by any other rules.
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