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[shanafan]

This is the craziest thing.

I had the Comcast home security system installed back in January, and it's worked fine since. We have sensors on our front door, garage door, etc that chime when they are opened and closed.

Last week, I started doing mass downloads with Steam since upgrading my computer, and redownloading old games. I noticed that my home security system stopped working during these downloads. Doors wouldn't chime anymore, and the tablet for security system notified me that communications were lost with the door sensors.

After experimenting with rebooting the home security system, popping batteries out from the sensors, etc. I realized downloading from Steam was having an affect on the home security system.

When I stopped the download in Steam - within 30 seconds, my door chimes sounded off (they were catching up when they didn't go off) and the notifications stopped on the tablet informing that everything was good.

I am on the phone with Comcast, and they have not heard of the issue.

For technical setup, I have the Netgear Nighthawk R7000 router and my computer runs off a WiFi USB dongle. I wonder if it's a simple port forwarding? Any ideas?

 

[Katori]

Set up a bandwidth limit on Steam...you can do it in preferences.

Steam takes whatever's available. Limit the bandwidth to 2-5mbps and you'll be just fine with both downloads and other things.

 

[BibiMaghoo]

Are the downloads set to use all your bandwidth?

 

[thenameDS]

Set a bandwidth limit on steam, otherwise it will just use everything that is available.

 

[VashTS]

That sounds like one of the most flawed security systems ever.

Be sure not to anger poodle squad.

 

[Transistor]

Set up a bandwidth limit on Steam...you can do it in preferences.

Steam takes whatever's available. Limit the bandwidth to 2-5mbps and you'll be just fine with both downloads and other things.

Ding ding ding

 

[Sou Da]

Let Valve in.

 

[mboojigga]

As a Comcast technician I recommend you reenact what is happening video record it and ensure they have a security technician come out. Your downloads shouldn't be affecting your security system. Your XB3 Gateway modem does the job of internet, phone and security, but one feature shouldn't affect the other. This is the first I have ever heard of anything like that.

I have all the services and have had it for 3 years since retiring from the Air Force, you shouldn't have to set any bandwidth limitations. We have 4 Xbox One systems 2 gaming PCs 5 Ipads and 4 IPhone 6 phones and streaming and downloading all day and night along with my wife who works for Apple from home and VPNs all on 150Mb.

 

[Goron2000]

First things first, cancel that security system that can be beaten by running out of bandwidth. Now sit back, relax and play some sick games because thieves can steal all they like because your games are all digital!

 

[Rellik]

Set up a bandwidth limit on Steam...you can do it in preferences.

Steam takes whatever's available. Limit the bandwidth to 2-5mbps and you'll be just fine with both downloads and other things.

Seriously, Steam is hungry. It will take it all.

 

[Septimus Prime]

Get a system that runs on cellular. I'm very happy with Frontpoint.

 

[shanafan]

As a Comcast technician I recommend you reenact what is happening video record it and ensure they have a security technician come out. Your downloads shouldn't be affecting your security system. Your XB3 Gateway modem does the job of internet, phone and security, but one feature shouldn't affect the other. This is the first I have ever heard of anything like that.

I have all the services and have had it for 3 years since retiring from the Air Force, you shouldn't have to set any bandwidth limitations. We have 4 Xbox One systems 2 gaming PCs 5 Ipads and 4 IPhone 6 phones and streaming and downloading all day and night along with my wife who works for Apple from home and VPNs all on 150Mb.

I am going to try to limit the bandwidth in Steam, but will keep my appointment with Comcast just in case.

Set up a bandwidth limit on Steam...you can do it in preferences.

Steam takes whatever's available. Limit the bandwidth to 2-5mbps and you'll be just fine with both downloads and other things.

Thanks, I will give it a shot.

 

[MillionStabs]

Door alarms use internet now? That seems really unreliable.

 

[shanafan]

Door alarms use internet now? That seems really unreliable.

There is a 3G backup with the system.

 

[JBourne]

Door alarms use internet now? That seems really unreliable.

Comcast doesn't give a shit if their customers get killed in their sleep.

 

[mboojigga]

I am going to try to limit the bandwidth in Steam, but will keep my appointment with Comcast just in case.



Thanks, I will give it a shot.

Cool because they can check if something else is going on with the signal to the home or an underlying issue in the area that isn't showing up on Watchtower in your area.

 

[low-G]

Comcast doesn't give a shit if their customers get killed in their sleep.

They like it.

 

[shanafan]

Cool because they can check if something else is going on with the signal to the home or an underlying issue in the area that isn't showing up on Watchtower in your area.

I went in Steam and set the bandwidth to 2. Started a download.

Doors chime! It was a bandwidth issue it seems like.

Thank you GAF

 

[Vegetable Lasagna]

I went in Steam and set the bandwidth to 2. Started a download.

Doors chime! It was a bandwidth issue it seems like.

Thank you GAF

PM me your home address and ip. I'll get to the bottom of this!

 

[GaimeGuy]

I went in Steam and set the bandwidth to 2. Started a download.

Doors chime! It was a bandwidth issue it seems like.

Thank you GAF

That's still Messed up.shouldn't the system seamlessly switch to 3 or 4g?

 

[Quadraphonic]

You shouldn't need to worry about saturating bandwidth to have a fucking door chime.

God damn new technology.

And you shouldn't need to worry about EVERY app you run possibly fucking up security. Turning on QoS on your router will help, but jesus christ, this is dumb.

 

[SomTervo]

Doesn't sound like it should be anything to do with bandwidth.

Perhaps it's power consumption?

Weird though because downloading shouldn't up consumption much - obviously running games would be a far more substantial spike.

I went in Steam and set the bandwidth to 2. Started a download.

Doors chime! It was a bandwidth issue it seems like.

Thank you GAF

Waaaat

 

[Lkr]

Rather than set steam to such a low speed, you should put your security system on a higher priority on QoS

 

[RawNuts]

You shouldn't need to worry about saturating bandwidth to have a fucking door chime.

God damn new technology.

It happens. Couldn't flush my toilet or enjoy air conditioning this morning because I was playing too much Lucioball.

 

[Art Vandilay]

There is a 3G backup with the system.

But the 3G backup didn't work, right?

 

[K.Jack]

1. Hack into OP's wi-fi network

2. Download Max Payne 3 with full bandwidth

We're in boys.

This is like some completely unrealistic 'Ocean's 14' subplot what the fuck.

 

[Grief.exe]

Steam saturates your bandwidth, you can set caps in the Steam settings.

 

[etta]

But the 3G backup didn't work, right?

Rofl

 

[dcx4610]

 

[Greatest Ever]

To be fair, if Christmas was an example of anything, using Steam disables Steam's security system as well.

 

[low-G]

1. Hack into OP's wi-fi network

2. Download Max Payne 3 with full bandwidth

We're in boys.

This is like some completely unrealistic 'Ocean's 14' subplot what the fuck.

or just DDOS him.

 

[Greatest Ever]

Ocean's 14

That would mean there's an Ocean's 12 and 13.

 

[matrixman92]

I have Comcast. Downloading stuff through steam used to take out our entire internet for several hours. One day, it just fixed itself

 

[chrisPjelly]

"Run..."

 

[Keihart]

what is the point of an alarm sistem if the redundancy of it fails when you use too much banwith?

Even if it is working now that OP limited the BW, it should be fixed. If not, then you might as well setup your own sensors and run them locally.

 

[jellies_two]

You have a buffer bloat issue
Anything can be as hungry as it likes and a proper setup doesn't increase latency for competing traffic but if you have large buffers in the route out then latency will rise and everything goes to hell.
It shouldn't need bandwidth limiting but that's the bandaid solution. Yuck.

 

[shanafan]

Update..

Set my bandwidth limit to 2, and checking it 90 minutes later.. one door chimes when opening/closing, the other one doesn't.

EDIT: Right after I typed that, the door chimed 4 times in a row from the earlier test. lol

 

[shanafan]

Well, a day later and I have it officially resolved.

Setting my bandwidth limit to 384 KB/s in Steam has worked fine with the security system. 512 KB/s worked OK, but 384 KB/s has gave me zero issues.

Putting the home security at the highest QoS priority didn't yield me any changes.

Still weird. Also weird is that Comcast reps I spoke with never heard of Steam, lol.

 

[Sini]

Well, a day later and I have it officially resolved.

Setting my bandwidth limit to 384 KB/s in Steam has worked fine with the security system. 512 KB/s worked OK, but 384 KB/s has gave me zero issues.

Putting the home security at the highest QoS priority didn't yield me any changes.

Still weird. Also weird is that Comcast reps I spoke with never heard of Steam, lol.

How much bandwidth does that security system need that you had to limit Steam speeds to THAT low?

 

[K.Jack]

Well, a day later and I have it officially resolved.

Setting my bandwidth limit to 384 KB/s in Steam has worked fine with the security system. 512 KB/s worked OK, but 384 KB/s has gave me zero issues.

Putting the home security at the highest QoS priority didn't yield me any changes.

Still weird. Also weird is that Comcast reps I spoke with never heard of Steam, lol.

I'd sleep with the doors open, before I dropped my bandwidth that low.

Fuck your security system.

 

[PodcastFips]

So, by DDoS-ing you someone could deactivate your security system?

Blockbuster movie stuff right here, lol.

 

[Art Vandilay]

Well, a day later and I have it officially resolved.

Setting my bandwidth limit to 384 KB/s in Steam has worked fine with the security system. 512 KB/s worked OK, but 384 KB/s has gave me zero issues.

Putting the home security at the highest QoS priority didn't yield me any changes.

Still weird. Also weird is that Comcast reps I spoke with never heard of Steam, lol.

You should be concerned about why your 3G backup isn't working. Your bandwidth shouldn't matter if your system automatically uses 3G when your internet fails.

 

[Quadraphonic]

If it's not Steam today, it's BitTorrent tomorrow, or just one extra Netflix stream, or loading a GIF from Imgur.

Living in a constant state of fear that some random download (or upload) is going to cripple your fucking house from working is not a way to live.

 

[Goo]

Wireless interference causes the problem. Your router is overpowering the signal from the comcast router. Wired covered it https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.wired.com/2016/01/xfinitys-security-system-flaws-open-homes-to-thieves/&ved=0ahUKEwi6_fys-q3OAhXL5YMKHfCuAj4QFggbMAA&usg=AFQjCNFFTZUkvbqW2vzupx0iCJcmTgsSsQ&sig2=tByLCVzK_iwmAsq45W2MeA

Using the microwave can turn off the alarm too.

 

[OfTheOverflow]

Using the microwave can turn off the alarm too.

Lmfao

 

[Blam]

Jesus Christ and this is why being wireless is horrible. Because it can break really easily.

 

[Atomski]

I know before steam had bandwidth control my shitty internet services modem would crash constantly and disconnect from the internet. Was bizzare hell.. not sure if it was over heating or what.

 

[K.Jack]

If it's not Steam today, it's BitTorrent tomorrow, or just one extra Netflix stream, or loading a GIF from Imgur.

Living in a constant state of fear that some random download (or upload) is going to cripple your fucking house from working is not a way to live.

TALK TO'EM

This is a state of bullshit under which I could not live.

 

[Katori]

I have a 120Mb connection (I think it's the fastest that Comcast will give in my area, it's business-class), and I still have issues when Steam is left unchecked.

Is the security system wired? If we knew that then it would be easier to tell if it was an interference issue or buffer/bandwidth issue.

 

[Mad Season]

Well, a day later and I have it officially resolved.

Setting my bandwidth limit to 384 KB/s in Steam has worked fine with the security system. 512 KB/s worked OK, but 384 KB/s has gave me zero issues.

Putting the home security at the highest QoS priority didn't yield me any changes.

Still weird. Also weird is that Comcast reps I spoke with never heard of Steam, lol.

id get rid of that comcast system