BT Infinity & FTTx Discussion

chris.tarry85 · 20 Sep 2016 at 08:53

Dooksy said:
Use a static IP on your computer and manually set DNS to Google.

This works, but it's not really a long term solution for a network with > 10 devices on.

DragonQ · 20 Sep 2016 at 08:56

chris.tarry85 said:
This works, but it's not really a long term solution for a network with > 10 devices on.

It's how I've always done it. All my Windows machines and my Android phone have custom DNS set. Would be easier to do it on the router but alas mine doesn't support that. I like static IPs anyway so it's not much extra trouble.

ChrisD. · 20 Sep 2016 at 08:58

chris.tarry85 said:
This works, but it's not really a long term solution for a network with > 10 devices on.

I don't know the HH6 at all, but can you change the DHCP scope?

Failing that then use an alternate DHCP server, something like a Pi can do it.

Or buy a new router.

chris.tarry85 · 20 Sep 2016 at 09:05

Dooksy said:
I don't know the HH6 at all, but can you change the DHCP scope?

Failing that then use an alternate DHCP server, something like a Pi can do it.

Or buy a new router.

You can change the range of addresses allocated to devices on the network yes, not clear how this would help though?

ChrisD. · 20 Sep 2016 at 09:08

chris.tarry85 said:
You can change the range of addresses allocated to devices on the network yes, not clear how this would help though?

Part of any decent DHCP server options is to change the DNS addresses it hands to DHCP clients.

Sounds like the HH6 doesn't have it.

platypus · 20 Sep 2016 at 11:43

the-evaluator said:
Yep. I'm using a USG along with a Draytek 130 VDSL modem and a couple of Unifi AC-LR's.

There's a big thread on Ubiquiti stuff so it might be worth having a read through that.

Thanks - will do.

I saw someone else recommending the Draytek; I take it that it beats the pants off the white modem BT used to dish out?

Also, whats the USG software/feature set like now? I like the look of it, but upon reading it was pretty poor out of the box.

booyaka said:
yeah - Ubiquiti AP handles all the wireless stuff. I switched from Sky to BT recently , the great thing about using the Ubiquiti AP was all the wirless stuff in the house didn't need changing passwords/networks etc as they are all still on the same AP, despite changing routers and providers etc. Saved loads of time.

Sounds good. How good are the APs? Is one plenty to handle a four bed house with thick walls? Or would I be sensible having one AP upstairs and one downstairs?

ChrisD. · 20 Sep 2016 at 12:36

platypus said:
Thanks - will do.

I saw someone else recommending the Draytek; I take it that it beats the pants off the white modem BT used to dish out?

I personally don't think there's much difference.

platypus · 20 Sep 2016 at 12:43

Dooksy said:
I personally don't think there's much difference.

Oh, well that would save me a decent amount of cash then.

is what I'm looking at, adding something like the draytek on top of that would add £100, and I've got a currently negotiated budget of £1,000 to spend on equipment, but that has to include cabling and wall ports.

ChrisD. · 20 Sep 2016 at 12:49

platypus said:
Oh, well that would save me a decent amount of cash then.

I only went for one as I want to view stats. My cabinet is an ECI one and you have to hard modify the ECI modems to see stats, something I wasn't prepared to:
a) do it myself, or
b) pay an extortionate amount for one already done on eBay.

Apparently it's best to match the cabinet types and I'd heard that the Vigor 130 is good with the ECI cab and should support new features as they come out so I tried it out.

In reality I probably sync at the same speed if not a little slower than either the ECI or Huawei modems I've had before. I have wondered about trying another one to see what happens to my speed but I don't really want to spend money for the sake of it.

platypus · 20 Sep 2016 at 13:13

No idea if it will be an ECI or Huwaei cabinet.

The only one I can find nearby is

and that doesn't look like either. There must be a more recent cabinet elsewhere.

DragonQ · 20 Sep 2016 at 13:15

I just realised that it's been 5 years this month since I first got FTTC. In the last 5 years the maximum speed available via FTTC hasn't improved and yet prices have increased. AFAIK FTTP rollout in areas that already have FTTC is pretty non-existent.

Quite depressing really.

ChrisD. · 20 Sep 2016 at 14:10

platypus said:
No idea if it will be an ECI or Huwaei cabinet.

The only one I can find nearby is

and that doesn't look like either. There must be a more recent cabinet elsewhere.

That's not an FTCC cabinet, it's just a regular cabinet to distribute copper that comes to it from the exchange.

platypus · 20 Sep 2016 at 14:22

Aye I didn't think so. I'll need to hunt around to find it.

JasonM · 20 Sep 2016 at 17:14

GregI said:
So is the Vigor 2860 the recommended router for Infinity FTTC then? Currently have a Home Hub 5 but looking at alternatives.

I have been using a Draytek 2860n for almost three years with PlusNet VDSL2 (Openreach hardware), it's pretty solid connection and the modem supported G.INP with a firmware upgrade. I like the modems but they are quite expensive, there is also many features that most regular users would never require. Once setup they are troopers mind and never need attention. They are really an enterprise grade router/modem, if you work from home or need the features such as VPN or running your own servers then yes there definitely worth buying.

Uther · 20 Sep 2016 at 18:50

platypus said:
Aye I didn't think so. I'll need to hunt around to find it.

You could try this site, it has some useful info:
http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/cabinet-lookup.htm

chris.tarry85 · 20 Sep 2016 at 18:56

Dooksy said:
Part of any decent DHCP server options is to change the DNS addresses it hands to DHCP clients.

Sounds like the HH6 doesn't have it.

Nope, each PC sees the hub as the DNS server which in turn sees a fixed BT DNS server.

It appears all the websites I have issues with start with the same IP address as my internal devices (192.x.x.x) could this link to it somehow?

KIA · 20 Sep 2016 at 20:49

Kol said:
is it simply just BT congested and TalkTalk wasn't because fewer customers?

It's possible.

Create a BQM. http://www.thinkbroadband.com/ping

Kol · 20 Sep 2016 at 20:59

Good shout. Did that yesterday, this is then until now:

Beyond 6pm I can barely push 7mbit, but the upload stays fairly consistent at around 8-10mbit.

As soon as you see the quality settle on the graph straight up to 48-52mbit.

On TalkTalk up until switchover day I was getting 70mbit consistent no matter the time of day.

ChrisD. · 20 Sep 2016 at 21:21

That's pretty bad! That with BT?

Kol · 20 Sep 2016 at 21:25

Yup. Switched over last Friday from TalkTalk 76mb to BT Infinity 1. Not sure what to do.