Torrent slow network

Installing and Using OpenWrt Network and Wireless Configuration
1

Hello, when I'm using torrent on my machine I realize that the whole network is slow.
Before installing OpenWrt on the router this did not happen...
Today, I can't even use 100% of my connection on my client torrent.

I enabled SQM and saw no network improvement or stability.
It is noticeable in the speedtest that all devices have a very low speed when the torrent is active, even without the torrent using 50% of the network.

My router: Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition
My network has always been very stable, I currently have a 700mbps/350mbps connection.

config queue 'eth1'
	option script 'piece_of_cake.qos'
	option debug_logging '0'
	option verbosity '5'
	option qdisc 'cake'
	option enabled '1'
	option linklayer 'ethernet'
	option download '0'
	option upload '0'
	option overhead '44'
	option interface 'wan'
2

Hello, you need to set upload and download limits at about 90-95% of max, for sqm. Looks like you currently have them set to zero. Also will depend if your router has enough CPU to shape traffic at those speeds.

3

If I do this, my connection will be throttled.
I need to use 100% of my network on my desktop.

I've tried those settings, it doesn't work either.

I'm thinking of putting the Xiaomi firmware back.

4

Well zero equals sqm turned off

5

Yes I believe openwrt is not for you - better some closed source spying firmware that gives you 100% of your contracted bandwidth

6

I'm trying to improve torrent efficiency with OpenWrt, but unfortunately I'm not succeeding.

For this reason I'm thinking of going back to using Xiaomi's firmware.

I have TP-LINK router, but I'm afraid to install OpenWrt and get the same slowness when the torrent is used.

7

hi,

  • any kind of traffic shaping will require CPU power. the higher the overall bandwidth the higher this power is required. you have almost 1Gbps download plan that's x86 CPU domain.
  • you want to use a machine for other purposes which runs torrent also. torrent client may eat up your resources on that machine by default (depending on configuration, type of torrent client etc) regardless using openwrt or sqm.

as others suggested already:

  • set your sqm limit to a reasonable level - but bear in mind that your router's CPU likely will not able to keep up with your plan. so expect that a working sqm will mean less overall bandwidth but more responsive network,
  • set your torrent properly: unlimited configuration in number of torrents, peers, down/up bandwidth will definitely bork your client experience,
  • find the sqm script which balances across network streams, considering traffic behind same IP address as individual distinguished targets to share bandwidth accordingly.

also, there is plenty of documentation in this forum how to setup sqm, please read them first then you can play with this or that recipe until you find your best version which is specific to your usage profile. do not assume a recipe is working for someone it will automatically work for you too. sqm requires quite a long trial and error process till you find it useful. or even you'll find that sqm will do more harm than help - this can also happen. if owrt with sqm, or owrt without sqm or the factory firmware is better for you, only you can make that call. good luck.

2 Likes