Solved ZenWiFi XT8 and Verizon FIOS Slow Upload Speeds

[Eric_K]

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

 

[Devang Patel]

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:

View attachment 43862

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:
View attachment 43863View attachment 43864

Speed test w/ flow control on:

View attachment 43865View attachment 43866

(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

try the firmware from GNUton. its a fork from Merlin.

asuswrt-merlin.ng

Extends the support of Asus Merlin firmware to more routers

gnuton.github.io

Release 3004.388.8_2-gnuton1 · gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

GNUton's Asus Merlin changelog Date: August 04, 2024 Release: 3004.388.8_2-gnuton1 UPDATED: backported all upstream changes up to 3004.388.8_2 FIXED: fixed cake support to 5.04axhnd 6750 and 6756 ...

github.com

i had issues with my ET8 (slow wifi uploads). flashed this firmware and it fixed it. for the ET8 you need the RT-AXE95Q firmware. for the XT8 you need the RT-AX95Q firmware. flash it from the web interface the same way you would an asus firmware.


now that this firmware is available maybe asus will release one too.

 

[silvernblack81]

This firmware fixed the slow upload speeds? I have Fios with the xt8 mesh

 

[Devang Patel]

This firmware fixed the slow upload speeds? I have Fios with the xt8 mesh

I have an ET8. It made them better. Still slightly slow but I think it because the router is a little further away. May want to see if Asus released any new firmware (if you haven't already). For the ET8 it took them a year to release a firmware update. Good luck!

 

[cmunn420]

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:

View attachment 43862

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:
View attachment 43863View attachment 43864

Speed test w/ flow control on:

View attachment 43865View attachment 43866

(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

EK you are still helping me when you don't even know it. Thanks for this! Its something with VRZ and it's use of GPON is what I gathered so far.

 

[skavan]

Just want to chime in. 1G symmetric FIOS Fiber. ONT --> GT-AXE16000
940Mbps Download Speeds. 500Mbps Upload.

The fix was to insert a 1Gb Switch between the ONT and the GT-AXE16000.
Reboot everything.
Now its 900Mbps++ up and down.

There are other variables. Like internal switches and even network drivers. But net net, it seems ONT speed negotiation with router is flawed. The intermediate switch, fixed it. At least for me.

 

[Zudnic]

Just to chime in here, @skavan 's solution worked for me. I put a $15 TP-Link gigabit switch between the ONT and the router. Gonna be annoying if I ever get better service than Gigabit because I'm going to have to make an investment in hardware.

Thank you, @skavan !