FTTC Questions - BT, Huawei and Timer Switch

Frank_Rizzo · 3 May 2013 at 22:13

Looking at going for FTTC, something like idnet, a&a. Grateful for answers to these questions

The VDSL modem, which is supplied by the ISP or BT install engineer. Is this always BT or Huawei branded? If it is can I replace it with a different brand?

I have the current ADSL2+ router on a timer switch so that it turns off at certain hours. Will this be a problem with FTTC / the VDSL modem?

TALON1973 · 3 May 2013 at 22:19

since i took a new contract with TT i recieved a new router , the Huawei 533 . it has a feature that auto disables interenet if not being used. not had a proper look at it yet as been to busy

Frank_Rizzo · 5 May 2013 at 12:03

Looks as if all ISPs are supplying Huawei. Side question to that then. Are the VDSL modems dumb or smart? i.e. could someone telnet into it, or reconfigure it in a malicious way?

As for the timer that's easy. I don't need to put the timer on the VDSL modem. I can leave that on 24/7 and keep the timer on the router. This will drop all the home network but leave the modem on for diagnostics.

ChrisD. · 5 May 2013 at 12:06

Modem should be on 24/7, router doesn't matter.

Huwai can be telneted in to once you put custom firmware on it.

dwskillz · 5 May 2013 at 16:00

The VDSL modem supplied by the BT Openreach engineer can be either ECI or Hawaeii.

It all depends on what make the FTTC cab is.

bremen1874 · 5 May 2013 at 16:13

I'm not sure the cabinet makes any difference.

I've got two phone lines and briefly had FTTC on them both. The modem supplied 18 months ago was a Huawei, the modem supplied a couple of months ago was an ECI.

Both lines are connected to the same cabinet, and the performance is the same with either modem.

Caged · 5 May 2013 at 16:34

Why would you want to turn your router off?

Frank_Rizzo · 5 May 2013 at 19:43

To prevent access at specific times.

TheBiznes · 5 May 2013 at 19:52

Looks to me you are really looking to stop kids etc running into problems. It might be worth your while replacing the router with a low powered untangle or pfsense solution which will give you total control over what they do or look at. and you will have very good logs and web filters in place to stop different sites.

I suggest you look into this the software is free, but if you want security and piece of mind this is the way I would go, and in fact I have a pfsense/untangle bridge in a VM.