Hi all,
Created an account so I can post that I found the problem for Verizon FIOS slow uploads and how to solve it. Additionally, I hope that Asus and the developers of Asus Merlin firmware are able to use this information to create a permanent fix in router firmware.
I have found that devices connecting to Verizon FIOS ONT's require Ethernet Flow Control to be enabled. I found this by installing a Mikrotik hEX router directly on my Verizon Fios connection and switching the Asus system to AP only mode. While performing speed tests (uploads were still slow at this point), I was watching the Ethernet stats on the interface connected to the Verizon ONT and noted that during the upload test Verizon was sending 'Pause' frames which is Ethernet flow control:
I enabled Ethernet flow control (rx/tx) on the interface and repeated the test and upload speeds greatly increased. Therefore, until ASUS (and/or Merlin developers) allow access to hardware flow control settings on the Ethernet interface, a $50 Mikrotik router will allow the XT8 (and presumably other Asus models) to run at full speed.
Speed test w/ control off:
Speed test w/ flow control on:
(Note how the counters increased drastically compared to flow control off as well as an overall boost in speed including download - likely because of flow control frames being sent from the Mikrotik towards Verizon).
My test computer is a 14" MacBook Pro connected to the main node approximately 20' away through a wall, closet door (stacked washer/dryer in the closet) and a floor. PHY RX 907.4 / TX 408.3 (checked after speed test above). I hope everyone finds this useful and this information can be used to create a permanent fix.
-Eric
Created an account so I can post that I found the problem for Verizon FIOS slow uploads and how to solve it. Additionally, I hope that Asus and the developers of Asus Merlin firmware are able to use this information to create a permanent fix in router firmware.
I have found that devices connecting to Verizon FIOS ONT's require Ethernet Flow Control to be enabled. I found this by installing a Mikrotik hEX router directly on my Verizon Fios connection and switching the Asus system to AP only mode. While performing speed tests (uploads were still slow at this point), I was watching the Ethernet stats on the interface connected to the Verizon ONT and noted that during the upload test Verizon was sending 'Pause' frames which is Ethernet flow control:
I enabled Ethernet flow control (rx/tx) on the interface and repeated the test and upload speeds greatly increased. Therefore, until ASUS (and/or Merlin developers) allow access to hardware flow control settings on the Ethernet interface, a $50 Mikrotik router will allow the XT8 (and presumably other Asus models) to run at full speed.
Speed test w/ control off:
Speed test w/ flow control on:
(Note how the counters increased drastically compared to flow control off as well as an overall boost in speed including download - likely because of flow control frames being sent from the Mikrotik towards Verizon).
My test computer is a 14" MacBook Pro connected to the main node approximately 20' away through a wall, closet door (stacked washer/dryer in the closet) and a floor. PHY RX 907.4 / TX 408.3 (checked after speed test above). I hope everyone finds this useful and this information can be used to create a permanent fix.
-Eric
