<< Click here to Goto HomePage

     
     

Sunday, December 31, 2006

How to easily speed up your BSNL BroadBand Connection

I just found this article which discusses 3 important tips to significantly speed up your internet access through BSNL Dataone broadband connection / most other BroadBand connections like Reliance or Tata Indicom or Sify Broadband .

Tip 1: One of the major problems with BSNL Dataone Broadband connection is the DNS servers they provide by default. Most of the time they are very slow and sometimes they fail to respond. I noticed that I am starting to spend a significant amount of time in DNS resolution with Dataone connection, often it is larger than the time it takes to actually get the reponse. Here is a simple solution to significantly speed up your DNS resolution.

Open up the network connection profile and edit TCP/IP settings. In the DNS server address fields, specify the following DNS server addresses: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
Disconnect the connection and then connect again. You are done.

This specifies third party DNS servers which are significantly faster than BSNL Dataone’s DNS servers.

Note: The service is provided by OpenDNS.

Tip 2: Firefox users can use FlashBlock extension to prevent downloading of Flash content by default, thereby significantly speeding up browsing experience. You can click on the placeholder icon to display the original Flash content any time. This is more of a passive tip in that reduces data usage to improve your overall experience.

Tip 3: You can try to increase your broadband bandwidth tweaking the TCP/IP parameters. The process is simplified by using TCPOptimizer, a free tool. It helped me a lot but your mileage may vary.


Also, there's nice little tweak for XP. Microsoft reserve 20% of your available bandwidth for their own purposes. This also affects your Broadband peformance. You can get back this 20% as follows:

Click Start-->Run-->type "gpedit.msc" without the "
This opens the group policy editor. Then go to:
Local Computer Policy-->Computer Configuration-->Administrative Templates-->Network-->QOS Packet Scheduler-->
Limit Reservable Bandwidth
Double click on Limit Reservable bandwidth. It will say it is not configured, but the truth is under the 'Explain' tab :

"By default, the Packet Scheduler limits the system to 20 percent of the bandwidth of a connection, but you can use this
setting to override the default."
So the trick is to ENABLE reservable bandwidth, then set it to ZERO.
This will allow the system to reserve nothing, rather than the default 20%.

I have tested the above procedure on Windows 2000 , XP Pro , XP SP-1 & XP SP-2 only. But not tested other o/s.
Awaiting for feedback about your results too!

36 comments:

  1. Anonymous said,

    what about tip3 for WinXP Home ?
    there is no gpedit.msc !

    on 12/31/2006 7:21 PM


  2. Anonymous said,

    Thanks for the tutorial.
    Any one knows how much upload speeds are bsnl's newly upgraded 2mbps connections have?

    on 1/07/2007 12:44 AM


  3. Anonymous said,

    Hey Nice Info buddy!!

    Actually im going for airtel broad band connection 1GB upload/download usage.
    I have 2 questions here

    1) I wanted to know if there is a way to know how much upload/download u have already used or how much is still remaining??

    2) Is there any way to stop downloading unnecessary images?? i mean if i open yahoo.com all the images present in yahoo will be downloaded and will be added to my downloaded usage. i want to avoid this. any way??

    on 1/18/2007 3:48 PM


  4. Jason S said,

    hi,

    1) You will need to get in touch with your ISP(airtel) for some site of there's where you can check the same. Alternatively you can use one of the free Online Meter Software's available.

    2) Use Firefox or Flock as your browser and install a Addin/Extension called "Web Developer Extension" at http://chrispederick.com/work/webdeveloper/. Once installed you have an option to Disable Images from loading.
    Alternatively in IE, goto Tools > Inetrnet Options > Advanced > Multimedia and un-check "Show Pictures".

    Cheers!!
    Jason S

    on 1/19/2007 11:56 AM


  5. Anonymous said,

    As of Firefox 2.0.0.x I think you can disable images from firefox itself. Go to Tools->Options->Content and un-check "Load images automatically". Else you can always use adblock plus extension and adblock images.

    on 2/05/2007 7:54 PM


  6. Sree said,

    Hai Mr.Jason!

    Is there any way to by pass download limit imposed by broadband ISP?

    Thanks,
    --Sree

    on 3/26/2007 3:10 PM


  7. Jason S said,

    Hi Sree,

    As far as I know you can't bypass the limit. Since, everything data packet moving to / from your computer is thru the ISP's servers.

    Cheers!!
    Jason S

    on 3/26/2007 3:29 PM


  8. L.V.Gandhi said,

    when I tried gpedit.msc, it says there is no file. I am having windows xp home sp2. From where to get it?

    on 4/02/2007 7:56 AM


  9. Jason S said,

    Hi IVG,

    gpedit.msc is avaialable only as part of Windows XP Professional and NOT Windows XP Home Edition :(

    Sorry for not mentioning the same.

    Cheers!!
    Jason S

    on 4/02/2007 8:46 AM


  10. Unknown said,

    Hi jason,

    u must be knowing bout smartax modem provided by bsnl, tht modem
    has 2 ports ethernet & usb..can we
    connect 2 computers 1 by usb & other by ethernet..with just 1 modem.if yes how do we do it.

    on 5/24/2007 9:52 PM


  11. Jason S said,

    Hi Khalid,

    I haven't tried it yet :)

    Will update you...

    Cheers!!
    Jason

    on 5/24/2007 10:45 PM


  12. Anonymous said,

    hae jaison thanks for help by providing tips to make data one
    speed by ur first tip .....

    ..................................
    ............... i give u a 1000000000000000000000000000000
    thanks

    on 6/03/2007 12:12 PM


  13. Jason S said,

    Nice to know that many of you have found these tips to be helpful.

    Cheers!!
    Jason

    on 6/03/2007 2:37 PM


  14. Think said,

    Khalid,

    It is possible dude. Ive done it. Use it for my laptop and PC together at the same time. Suprisingly the download speed isnt affected by much either.

    on 7/04/2007 8:01 PM


  15. Hi Jason,
    I have a strange problem with my Dataone connection!
    I have MT841 modem given by BSNL, whenever I use Bitcomet (P2P) the connection hangs i.e Link will be up but Act light hangsup and it takes about 2-3 mins to reconnect back, I am not sure why this is happening only when P2P software is used, I don't face any problem when I connect to office VPN. Any Idea why this may be happening?
    Does anyone faced the same problem and got solution please let us all know.

    Thanks,
    Pradeep

    on 7/26/2007 7:41 AM


  16. Jason S said,

    Hi Pradeep,

    As you say - Your problem seems a bit strange.

    But have you tried some of the other P2P software?

    List Of P2P Client Softwares - Azureus, BitLord, BitSpirit, BitTornado, BitTorrent, Burst!, FlashGet, G3 Torrent,QTorrent, rtorrent Shareaza, Transmission, Tribler, µTorrent.

    Also, I would suggest that you don't use P2P on your office VPN else you/your company may get into legal issues.

    Please can someone help Pradeep.

    Cheers!!
    Jason

    on 7/26/2007 11:06 PM


  17. Anonymous said,

    Is there any legal problem with Bsnl ISP using a opendns??
    If yes what are the problems and is it too serious??

    on 1/07/2008 7:18 PM


  18. Jason S said,

    There isn't any legal issues with using OpenDNS as part of your BSNL connection.

    Cheers!!
    Jason

    on 1/08/2008 8:15 AM


  19. Anonymous said,

    Very informative :)

    I have a BSNL Broadband am using Netgear ADSL2 modem and have Trendnet Wireless router, the problem is that the wireless router works for about 15 mins only. Can some one help me

    on 2/23/2008 9:20 PM


  20. Anonymous said,

    somebody seems to have misused my braod band userid and password and used my full data transfer limit.I know that i can change the password from th site dada.bsnl.in but after changing what changes do i need to do in my pc.If i want to connect to broadband i just need to plug my modem and the internet connection starts, it has never asked for user id and password.Please somebody help.I request you to pl mail me on skd84@rediffmail.com

    on 4/03/2008 11:32 AM


  21. Jason S said,

    Hi Pal,

    First of all - nobody can remotely use your BSNL broadband. Broadband can only be accessed from your land-line. So, if there is some over use that you feel - then it must be either of the two cases:
    Someone in your house used it, without your knowledge.
    Someone from outside has tapped your phone line and is using it(this option can be remote, as that person needs to get your userid and password too).

    BTW, to change the userid and password - tell me which modem & model number do you use?

    Cheers!!
    Jason

    on 4/03/2008 11:37 AM


  22. Andy said,

    hi jason,
    for the last solution u've given, is not valid. cuz, nebody using data1, who knows any others' userid and password can access the acc. i don't know whether u can use the acc. of different zone or not(which is however doesn't seem to b possible), but any user of the same zone or region can access the acc. since being under the same server...

    to the 1 asking for the solution...
    go to ur 'my network places' from ur desktop icon(if made), or Control Panel->Network Connections-> and see whether any broadband connection is made over there. if yes, then delete it, and reconfigure it as follows,
    1>Create a new connection
    2>next
    3>select the first option
    4>select the 2nd option
    5>the 2nd option
    6>give the name of the ISP (eg. BSNL)
    7>give the user name and password provided to u by ur ISP
    8>add shortcut to ur desktop
    9> go to ur desktop and click to the shortcut with the icon BSNL and click connect... u r done.
    if u don't see any broadband connection made under the network connections category i mentioned above, then try deleting ur network card driver and re-intalling it. it will resent all the network configuration. then go on with the process of creating a new broadband connection as i mentioned above. then u can change ur password from the portal site of bsnl and put it in the 'password' space in the connection wizard u've created at the desktop, and it will b saved as default. no need of giving it all-over again. just click on the wizard and click connect n u r ready to get connected with the world. hope the process i mentioned will help ya ;)

    on 5/01/2008 10:36 PM


  23. Raajasekar said,

    Hi Mr.Jason S !

    I have read out today your blogs.Its simply nice job you have done for viewers.I have some question could you please help me!
    1.I want to use internet but i don't have land phone.If there is any easy way to connect from mobile device to pc can connect internet....please suggestion for me right now i have BSNL Cell one prepaid mobile connection.

    Hope you will reply to me.

    My e.mail>svk451@yahoo.com

    on 7/16/2008 1:51 PM


  24. Jason S said,

    Hi SVK,

    Nice to know that you liked my blog articles.

    Regarding your question - Yes you can use your mobile to connect to the internet but there are many drawbacks like:
    1.> Speed will be very less when compared to landline. In a typical landline connection you will get speeds of 128kbps to 2mbps+, whereas most mobile network speeds will be in the range of 30-50kbps.
    2.> Cost would be really high. Usually in the range of 10paise for 10kbps of data transfered. So if you open a webpage like www.yahoo.co.in you will be shelling around Rs 2-4.

    Hope this reply helped.

    Cheers!!
    Jason

    on 7/16/2008 2:22 PM


  25. Anonymous said,

    i have bsnl broadband home plan 250.my downloading speed is very slow(30kbps).when i try dns server 208.67.222.222 i get downloading speed 211 kbps.but when i restart my computer this is not working.what can i do for increase this .plz tell me

    on 9/09/2008 1:48 PM


  26. Anonymous said,

    i would like to how to increase my speed for airtel unlimited connection.currewntly i get only 6-8 kbps for my 64 connectin.can i increase it

    on 9/27/2008 6:10 PM


  27. Anonymous said,

    Thanks for your valuable tips buddy. My computer see significant speed after your using your tip. Thanks a lot.

    on 10/20/2008 11:25 PM


  28. Anonymous said,

    Hi Jason, Nice Solution.

    i just wanted to know one thing here,

    My BSNL broadband plan is of 750 unlimited, is there any chances of any extra charges on the phone bill if in case i use another server for this other than that of ISP...

    Thanks,
    Ashwin

    on 11/03/2008 5:03 PM


  29. Jason S said,

    Hi,

    Using another DNS server is no problem. BSNL won't charge anything extra for the same.

    Cheers!!
    Jason

    on 11/03/2008 5:23 PM


  30. Anonymous said,

    Thanks a Lot........
    It really helped me to solve my problem with BSNL Broadband......
    Please keep it up a good work.
    Thanks again,
    Jiten.

    on 1/22/2009 2:23 PM


  31. Yash said,

    Hi Jason,

    Your Tips have helped me, but I am still facing some problems with my Internet connection. Hope you can help me solve them. They are:
    1. My BSNL plan is
    2. I use a wireless linksys wtg54g ver.6 as my router.
    3. I use p2p download on my internet (utorrent.)
    4.The problem is that my download speed does not go beyond 10kbps. I use firefox 3.0 and no matter what i do, the speed refuses to budge.
    5. Very frequently, my internet just stops working and even the webpage does not display.
    -Hope you will reply.
    my email address is: fantastic.yash@gmail.com
    Thanks a lot in advance.

    on 5/01/2009 11:09 AM


  32. Unknown said,

    Hey Jason...

    Kudos...
    Good show man.

    Aravinth

    on 9/06/2009 12:50 PM


  33. hemanth said,

    thank u!! it works

    on 11/05/2009 3:29 PM


  34. Anonymous said,

    The information was useful. Thanks. :-)

    -Abhijeet.

    on 12/26/2009 11:35 AM


  35. sweetyy said,

    Helo there,
    This software was useful for me.
    You can also check your internet speed here
    Its just simple.
    Enter your IP address, and you will be able to get the speed of your connection.
    to speed up your internet follow the steps mentioned below..
    Clear the cookies & private data in your browser & then check the speed of the internet in this site..
    I checked out the speed of the internet in this site & got nice solution.
    This site provide information at free cost & they are very much good in providing services..
    Cheers!

    on 4/06/2010 1:00 PM


  36. hi, i have mtnl unlimited plan in delhi, modem is 450tc1...my problem is that my room mate starts something on his system and my wireless connection starts dropping..and after some time wireless hangs...but when connecting through wire its works well..problem starts when my roommate do something or start p2p downloads on his system..i asked him about this but got no satisfactory answers

    on 4/23/2011 7:50 PM