I have switch providers and have run into some problems with bandwidth limitations. I have more bandwidth then before, but there are performance issues.
The router is connected to a 100mBit port, but they limit it to arbitrary settings (in software I imagine). It seems when I go above the limit, the provider starts to drop packets beyond the limit (This is what they said they do as well). Is it possible the previous provider did something like queuing packets above the this limit before dropping them? Is anyone aware of not only what can be done, but what is typical?
Also, is there anything I can do on my Cisco router to help this situation? It would seem I am pretty helpless if the packets are dropped before they reach my interface (The traffic that is high is inbound to my network).
Best Answer
Usually it's shaping vs. policing - done on the provider's edge interface to you. See here or here for more info.
Shaping buffers traffic above the limit, policing just drops it. I'm guessing your old ISP may have been shaping and the new one is policing.
You could try shaping your side of the interface so your router is doing the buffering to avoid getting to the point where your provider is dropping your packets.