Originally posted by BillZ
Steve,
I'm a retired network engineer - so I know a little about network performance issues.
In looking around on the Internet I was able to learn that you are using an ISP called capitalinternet. Your server came back with IP 216. 25. 255. 9. In doing trace routes from around the US, I did find abnormally slow response time (486ms average) right at your ISP. It appears your ISP has a DS3 (54Mbps) uplink into Exodus - it would be extremely difficult for most ISPs to over-run a DS3. So just from that small data - I would not suspect a backbone problem - but a problem with your local ISP.
You mentioned that you had co-location - often in co-loc facilities many servers share common switches and uplinks - you might start there but I suspect your ISP will claim all is perfect. Remember ISPs make their money by over-subscription - in other words they assume that not all customers will use all the bandwidth at one time - but often ISP are not good about monitoring the perfomance.
My suggestion to you is to open a dialog with your ISP - ask for performance monitoring tools that allow you to see into their network. If they can't or won't allow that - start looking for another provider. And this time look for someone with multiple uplinks into their access providers.
Good luck
Bill