vDSL router for bt infinity with custom firmware?

steinooo · 10 Sep 2016 at 22:09

Hi all

My hh5 has gone bad and I've always fancied a router which can be flashed with one of the open source firmwares. (I remember that days of ddwrt and tomato but unsure if they're still modern)

Any ideas on what to get? Would prefer a router/modem in one box but its not a show stopper.

Cheers.

bremen1874 · 10 Sep 2016 at 23:49

For the most part the open source firmware isn't available for routers with internal modems.

If you want to use a router with an Ethernet WAN then you'll need to get hold of a separate VDSL modem. Best bet is a second-hand Openreach HG612.

wildest_jjk · 10 Sep 2016 at 23:56

steinooo said:
Hi all

My hh5 has gone bad and I've always fancied a router which can be flashed with one of the open source firmwares. (I remember that days of ddwrt and tomato but unsure if they're still modern)

Any ideas on what to get? Would prefer a router/modem in one box but its not a show stopper.

Cheers.

What do you mean by the HH5 has gone bad? Type A/B?

steinooo · 11 Sep 2016 at 07:47

bremen1874 said:
For the most part the open source firmware isn't available for routers with internal modems.

If you want to use a router with an Ethernet WAN then you'll need to get hold of a separate VDSL modem. Best bet is a second-hand Openreach HG612.

Assume I'm ok with getting a modem from auction, which cheapish router would you suggest then for custom firmware?

wildest_jjk said:
What do you mean by the HH5 has gone bad? Type A/B?

It's got a constantly flashing green light and won't factory reset. Can't tell its chipset / type, is there a way I can tell without opening it up?

wildest_jjk · 11 Sep 2016 at 14:07

steinooo said:
It's got a constantly flashing green light and won't factory reset. Can't tell its chipset / type, is there a way I can tell without opening it up?

I know some people have had issues with the Type A's. You should be able to look at the bottom of the Homehub, where the two feet are and it will tell you there.

I have the Type A but if you are having issues it could be worth speaking to BT and mentioning the newer version (Type B) and if you could have that as a replacement?

Cheers.

DIABLO · 11 Sep 2016 at 14:29

steinooo said:
Assume I'm ok with getting a modem from auction, which cheapish router would you suggest then for custom firmware?

It's got a constantly flashing green light and won't factory reset. Can't tell its chipset / type, is there a way I can tell without opening it up?

You can flash Asus Routers with custom firmware. You can also flash the DSL-AC68U it's not officially supported though which turns it into a RT-AC68U.

Like merlin https://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca/

Craig321 · 11 Sep 2016 at 14:31

For BT, I have and would recommend getting the Huawei HG612 or ECI modem (depending on your local cab), which is the official one BT used to provide, with a decent router.

It gained me a good 5-10Mbps, decent WiFi and reliability.

ov_sjo · 11 Sep 2016 at 20:35

Is there a particular feature you need from a custom flash or do you just want to play?

If you want features, a £35 Routerboard gives you pretty much everything.

steinooo · 11 Sep 2016 at 22:30

ov_sjo said:
Is there a particular feature you need from a custom flash or do you just want to play?

If you want features, a £35 Routerboard gives you pretty much everything.

Just a play. I'll look into that, thanks, sounds interesting!

Craig321 said:
For BT, I have and would recommend getting the Huawei HG612 or ECI modem (depending on your local cab), which is the official one BT used to provide, with a decent router.

It gained me a good 5-10Mbps, decent WiFi and reliability.

Cheers, what router do you use after the modem?

DIABLO said:
You can flash Asus Routers with custom firmware. You can also flash the DSL-AC68U it's not officially supported though which turns it into a RT-AC68U.

Like merlin https://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca/

Thanks will google that one

Caged · 11 Sep 2016 at 22:39

If you just want to play around with something that has billions of options then get an Ethernet modem like an Openreach Huawei or a DrayTek Vigor 130 and plug it into an Ubiquiti EdgeRouter.

Craig321 · 12 Sep 2016 at 00:02

steinooo said:
Just a play. I'll look into that, thanks, sounds interesting!

Cheers, what router do you use after the modem?

Thanks will google that one

I use the Netgear Nighthawk R7000 which has been perfect so far, had it for about a year now I think.