Weird ISP intermittent problem [solved]

[Flemur]

I was wondering if anyone had a similar issue and/or would have some idea what causes this...

We have CenturyLink DSL, which has a strange intermittent problem, to wit:

About every-other day, at about the same time each day, the "Internet" and "DSL" disconnect/reconnect every minute or so, for about the same amount of time.

It shows up on all our devices ( 5 of 'em).
We have replaced the modem.

The on-the-phone Centlink contact can see the disconnections happen.

"About every-other day" = sometimes it's every 3 days. This time it was five days (last fri until this wed morning) and I was dumb enough to think they fixed it.

"about the same time each day" = between 8:40 and 9:40 AM

"about the same amount of time" = 2 to 4 hours.

The 192.168.0.1 modem webpage always reports "DSL Line Status: POOR".

Needless to say, when a tech comes out it's always working perfectly.

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[richyrich]

Can you log into your Router and watch the log files as this happens ? Is someone/something trying to connect to your router ?

[Flemur]

Can you log into your Router and watch the log files as this happens ? Is someone/something trying to connect to your router ?

Good idea, never thought of it - I'll check that next time it messes up (though often the modem webpage can't connect to the modem).

Right now, as it works fine, the modem firewall reports attempted "intrusions" from some creepy-sounding sources: China, Russia and worst of all, google (54.239.20.188).

[richyrich]

Another thought . . Do you have multiple things plugged into the same elec outlet as the router/modem ?

[Flemur]

Another thought . . Do you have multiple things plugged into the same elec outlet as the router/modem ?

A good thought, but no, it's off by itself. Though perhaps we have power issues that only show up there...

[qwaxz]

When the tech comes out, seeing there is no current problem, is nothing looked at? Maybe someone looks into potential interference from a security system, any alarm, shared lines with a neighbor(business or residential)?

[haleakalas]

Assuming that you also use your DSL line for analog telephone service, which means that you have POTS telephone sets attached to the line in parallel to the DSL modem:
You might have a border line defective DSL filter on your telephone line. You should have one DSL filter before each and every analog telephone set, modem or alarm dialer.
One of them might have taken a shot during a storm (power surge, overvoltage due to lightening etc). Normally those filters last a few years at least, but you never know.
Or is it possible that you attached a new analog device to the phone line without a DSL filter inadvertently?
For troubleshooting disconnect all your analog devices and filters, except maybe for one phone and one filter. Keep your DSL modem directly attached to the line without filter and let it run for a few days and see if the problem goes away.
If you don't have any analog phones, then you don't need any DSL filters and you might even be wondering what I am talking about. Never mind then.

[Flemur]

Thanks everyone - tech came out for the third time and fixed some outside/upstream wiring. Why it messed up at almost certain times, I have no idea.