I've heard that its possible to hack your ADSL connection to increase its speed.

Anyone got experience with this?


I just moved and only have 1 isp available, their fastest connection is 2 meg.

I need more speed dagnabit!

I've only heard this with Cable ISP's, such as Virgin. The hack involves either finding the server where they hold your Cable Modem config file, or getting the modem to divulge its config file.

Once you've done that, edit the file and upload back into the modem. The best way is to replace the config at its source i.e. on the server, otherwise the custom file gets overwritten by the legit file on the config server periodically.

I don't know of any exploit such as this on ADSL, as the speed isn't governed by any config on the router / modem, it is told the speed by the DSLAM equipment in the local exchange. You'd have to gain administrative access to the DSLAM to change the speed, which is almost impossible. The other thing about DSL though is, 2Mbps may be all you can get anyway, depending on your distance from the exchange and the quality of the copper your signal is being carried on.

If you're signed up for a faster service, the only useful thing you can do is get on the case with customer services and don't give up until you get a satisfactory answer.

How would I go about hacking my cable broadband speed?

Like this?

Well "hacking"...what that does is increase the max. possible amount of connections from you to any one server, the amount of data filling a buffer which determines how much data the other end will receive and stuff like that, not exactly rocket-science.

Alternatively you can download XPAntiSpy, TCP/IP-Analyzer or something like that and have it done for you if you don't feel good about editing your registry or downloading unknown software from dubious sources.

Usually doesn't make a noticeable difference though unless you're running Windoze ME on dial-up.

So from a legal POV all you can do is upgrade/threaten to change ISP like 3F hinted (the problem is that most ISP's clearly state "flatrate with up to XXX KB/s" so they're most likely gonna tell you to shove it if you dont like it).

edit: just read that you only have 1 ISP available where u live so you can't upgrade nor change. :S
I'm about to change my ISP for the 3rd time in 6 months, I feel your pain, lol.

Strictly speaking, the tips on the link don't really speed the connection up, they alter the behaviour of your network connection by altering stuff like window and packet (MTU) size. As Fluffy says, it only really matters where you're using dial up, where as a proportion of the 56k dial up link, the packet headers (the bits that govern where the IP packets go and are sent back to) take up a large proportion of the traffic. Changing the window size can also speed things up but at the expense of error correction. I wouldn't recommend you use this fix tbh as on broadband it makes little to no difference as fluffy says.

To change your Cable Modem speed, you need to understand the DOCSIS protocol. Google for DOCSIS etc, and you'll find stuff easily enough. You'll also find stories of people who had their contracts terminated for doing it though, so proceed at your own risk.

Looks like 3f's talking shop

I just couldn't help myself! Bloody Cisco brainwashing...erm I mean training.

i'd kill for a stable 2mb connection

wana swap?

Depends ;P

I'm an ADSL monkey too. 3.5Mb stable, latency of under 20 usually. Things are good.

Saying that, next year I move back to uni, 20Mb cable looks interesting...