cannot pass medium to large files through tcp/ip

[Greg]

Using IE, Netscape, or WS32 (in other words, HTTP and FTP)
to download files via DSL, the process hangs if the file
size exceeds approx 1Mb. It will start, get a couple of
seconds into the download, then simply stop moving data.
Some webpages (presumably requiring large files) refuse to
open. In the case of FTP, I am able to upload a large file
to a remote host but then cannot download the same file.

Under 1MB or so everything works fine.

This is a relatively new problem, and I do not recall
making any changes prior to its occurance.

I use ZoneAlarm firewall and the problem does not change
with or without it operating. I have uninstalled and re-
installed tcp/ip on the ethernet card and the PPPoE
adapter to no avail. One guess is that I just disconnected
and reconnected to flawed files when I did that, though,
if that's the problem.

Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

gh

 

[Bob Hatcher]

Did it always do it? What has changed on your system to start it? Have you
reset your router? Does you ISP allow downloads over 1 MB. (Dumb question,
but I had to ask.) The router is about the only device I know that can do
that. It is also possible your local Telco is the problem. I work with this
nationwide and it is a tough one. It requires a WAN sniffer to properly
diagnose it.
Bob

 

[Greg]

Answers: It has not always done it, and I don't know what
changed. I noticed some symptoms about a month ago after
running the same system for several years. My Ethernet is
a single machine with a single card to the DSL modem, so
I'm not sure there's a router involved unless the card
performs that function. I'll check and see about resetting
that in some way. A tech from my ISP hooked his laptop to
my modem and was able to download big files, so it appears
to be a system-side problem.
My question: what's a WAN sniffer?
thanks