I've used Bittorrent for years, and while I'm quite computer savvy, I have at best an intermediate knowledge of networks. My essential problem is that my download rates suddenly dropped off sharply for several days now (from as much as 400 kB/s sometimes to a median now of 25 kB/s). Going through various speed guides, I noticed that the port I was using was not being forwarded properly. I have been unable to fix this. Now for system information:
Vista Enterprise 64, running no other firewall than Windows Firewall
Netgear WGR614v7 router, hardwired to, with wireless completely disabled
On average, tests put my overall download rate at 22900 kbps. I have assigned the port in question to forward properly. I have a static IP address provided by my router. According to DiffProbe, my data is not being throttled by my ISP. My software firewall is not only assigned to allow Bittorrent and bitDNA, but the port in question is specifically opened in the firewall. Changing ports is not an option because, according to various online tests <i>all</i> my ports are closed and hidden.
Now, here's the weird bit. In an unrelated effort to improve my internet stability, last night I switched DNS servers to OpenDNS and, immediately and until I went to bed, the port forwarded properly and I was getting download rates of 200 kB/s. As of this afternoon, it was back to the way it was.
The only explanation I have for that is that when I first tested the new DNS, I changed my personal network settings to use the new DNS address, and when I confirmed it to be stable and advantageous, I set my router to use it, so my entire network would benefit.
My router has a few settings that I take to be security based, firewall or otherwise. These are SPI firewall, SIP ALG, and the option to change NAT filtering from secure to open. With the most open settings I can give it, all my ports still appear closed.
Last minute update: A more detailed port tester than the one BT links to says that the connection to my port timed out, suggesting that perhaps it's open but extremely slow?
Vista Enterprise 64, running no other firewall than Windows Firewall
Netgear WGR614v7 router, hardwired to, with wireless completely disabled
On average, tests put my overall download rate at 22900 kbps. I have assigned the port in question to forward properly. I have a static IP address provided by my router. According to DiffProbe, my data is not being throttled by my ISP. My software firewall is not only assigned to allow Bittorrent and bitDNA, but the port in question is specifically opened in the firewall. Changing ports is not an option because, according to various online tests <i>all</i> my ports are closed and hidden.
Now, here's the weird bit. In an unrelated effort to improve my internet stability, last night I switched DNS servers to OpenDNS and, immediately and until I went to bed, the port forwarded properly and I was getting download rates of 200 kB/s. As of this afternoon, it was back to the way it was.
The only explanation I have for that is that when I first tested the new DNS, I changed my personal network settings to use the new DNS address, and when I confirmed it to be stable and advantageous, I set my router to use it, so my entire network would benefit.
My router has a few settings that I take to be security based, firewall or otherwise. These are SPI firewall, SIP ALG, and the option to change NAT filtering from secure to open. With the most open settings I can give it, all my ports still appear closed.
Last minute update: A more detailed port tester than the one BT links to says that the connection to my port timed out, suggesting that perhaps it's open but extremely slow?