netflix, the network destoryer

[mockingbird]

Re: netflix, the network destoryer

Netflix isn't the problem per se, DSL is.

The limitation of DSL is that when you upload, it chokes the download speed. Ever wonder why Netflix has this new "Silverlight" plugin you must use? This is an old trick Limewire and other Gnutella filesharing networks used to use. Basically, your computer becomes a "supernode" and now instead of Netflix paying for expensive bandwidth, if you're watching some stupid chick flick with your wife and some guy in New Yoik is obliged to do the same thing, YOU will be corteously providing him with the film.

Couple this wit the probablility that the routers that most people buy are Chinese made garbage with substandard capacitors. When the router is forced to use uPNP (Don't quote me on this) by Netflix and it really excercises the onboard CPU, the router starts experiencing CRC TX/RX errors which is why people call you. For normal port 80 (HTTP) web browsing, these routers work fine.

It is a myth that the US has an inferior bandwidth backbone than Europe or China... This is nonsense. The US has the fattest pipes in the entire worls and they are severely UNDER capacity. It is corporate bickering (Nevermind that most of the cable and telephone line laid underground was sponsored by the US Taxpayer courtesy of Roosevelt-era socialism) that causes the end users product to be inferior.

Tell your customers to buy decent routers and to switch to cable internet.

In places where there is no cable internet, soon there will be competitive wireless internet, though it remains to be seen how versatile the full-duplex performance of this product will be.

[weirdlookinguy]

Re: netflix, the network destoryer

That would be excellent. I would much rather start the buffer for a nice HD stream an hour or two before I watch it, than to have instant compressed 480p.

[bgavin]

Re: netflix, the network destoryer

I think there is a real need for a caching multi-media server.

For example, you have a standard 1.5 DSL line which is not adequate for streaming at any decent quality.

Your streaming server negotiates a connection to NetFlix, and begins to download (cache) your video in advance. If necessary, 30~60 minutes ahead of time.

This provides a big buffer that is replenished at 1.5 mbps, and slowly empties because it drains at a faster bit rate.

This will piss off the copy protection types and their attorneys, so something would have to be worked out so an entire video cannot be cached (read: copied to media).

The BigBuffer (tm) is a good solution for those in limited bandwidth areas that want to stream their videos, and don't mind stoking the pipe in advance.

[ratdude747]

Re: netflix, the network destoryer

delete this post

[NxB]

Re: netflix, the network destoryer

ISPs are cheap. They won't upgrade anything and have been ripping us off with a broadband tax that didn't go to the infrastructure.

ATT is the WORST offender. Their DSL is bottom of the barrel stuff. Their wireless service is chincy and expensive. 90% of their home customer base is ignorant, the other 10% have no other choice.

All over asia and parts of europe you can get 50mbps service for what we pay for like 3. I can't even buy internet service faster than 15mbps here unless its cable. And guess what, there is only one cable provider in my area.

What do you want people to use internet for? checking email? The customers are right to scream at you. Being a WiSP you CAN provide good service. Actually besides FiOS you are the only hope.

[BigTroll]

Re: netflix, the network destoryer

yeah i agree with you guys that its a neat service, however ATT will probably not upgrade shit, at our work we are still waiting on ATT to finish installing our fiber lines as were susposed to get a gigabit of bandwidth added. again my last call of the night was a guy bitching about speeds, aparently his CPE (antenna) was in 10base T HD so some stupid tech left it in that so i put it in 100 base full duplex and changed the channel from 5.1ghz channel 44 to 5.3ghz channel 64 and sure enough i got 2.8mps according to his speed tests, he is also on a 3.0 plan and was bitching hes not getting what he pays for, i tried to explain that our policy is that you can expect bursts to 3.0 and speeds will vary but he kept arguing and he was one of the more tame customers, i used to love my job but the speed issues have made it a nightmare.

[japlytic]

Re: netflix, the network destoryer

I believe that Netflix, and other video on demand (VOD) services, as well as IPTV should be unmetered and not contribute to your allowance. This can break down barriers for new providers to enter the market.

[weirdlookinguy]

Re: netflix, the network destoryer

I think this is excellent. Will force internet providers to upgrade their capacity and speed.

[toastygoodness]

Re: netflix, the network destoryer

lol mostly bandwidth. but i haven't really had any problems with cable, though that's probably because our street is a new node. i have noticed with a lot of my friends that have att dsl that their speed's been going down too.

i'm a big fan of netflix though.

[brethin]

Re: netflix, the network destoryer

When providers stop overselling bandwidth they cant support this will end. It is a old problem with all providers. The influx of people streaming media and actually using the full bandwidth they pay for has just made the problem more noticable. You cant blame Netflix, you cant blame other users, you can only blame the provider. That is why they dont promise a set constent speed unless you actually pay for it as in ISDN or T1 type services.

[BigTroll]

Am I the only one sick of netflix? my job is doing internet tech support for a local wisp and all i do is hear people bitch about speeds and i have seen the more people get netflix the more it brinds our network down. I have ATT dsl at home a 3.0 plan that gets 2.5 at best, now at night iam speed testing to various servers and get 1.05mbps which is total bullshit, i never used to have these speed problems a few months ago, i noticed the decline in atts service has seemed to follow at the same rate of our wisp network. i would think everyone buying roku boxes and using their game consoles to do netflix is bringing down the att in my area...
end rant

I would like to hear some thoughts opinions on network load and if your isp has been in a gradual decline.