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Re: [LUG] OT: VDSL (Fibre) Modem

 

You could go for the modem Openreach did (does?) supply for professionally installed FTTC services. There are two models, one by ECI and one by Huawei.

I believe the Huawei is better. They're available on places like eBay fairly cheaply (search for HG612). They are plug and play - just connect a router that can handle PPPoE to it. You can also reflash it with a firmware that enables the web and telnet interfaces, if you are interested in looking at line stats etc.

It's likely to have the best compatibility with BT's network and any features they may turn on in the future (and is going to be extensively tested with any changes BT makes)

You may want to wait and see what your ISP orders for you, though. I think Openreach is still doing "managed installs" where someone visits your home and installs a faceplate filter (also available online) and the Openreach modem. Many ISPs have moved to self-installs and IIRC Openreach is about to discontinue handing out their own modem.

As for checking availability, Samknows is rather useless for this, because it only cares about things at exchange level, and not at cabinet or street level (or indeed pole level) which is important for FTTC or FTTP.

IMO the best is the BT Wholesale checker -Âhttp://dslchecker.bt.com/ - as it tends to be very accurate and will also tell you if you're able to get FTTP (ignore anything it says about FTTP on demand).Â

Shaun

On 5 February 2016 at 12:16, Tremayne, Steve <steven.tremayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Thanks.

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I think that I will be getting FTTC.

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Even though the exchange is ~100yards away from my house, they donât seem to want to dig up the pavement â so a green box appeared outside the exchangeâ my copper line will (I expect) remain a sanctuary for birds escaping the local cat populationâ

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OK, so in my case it seems that Iâll just be looking at getting a new master socket for my Â150 BT visitâ in which case, cool, Iâm back to just looking for a decent VDSL modem then.

Â

Thanks for the clarification(s).

Â

So.. back to my original Q: does anyone have any VDSL modem recommendations? Apart from the Draytek Vigor 130 (http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/business/vigor-130), Iâm not aware of much else out thereâ

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Thanks

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Steve

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From: list [mailto:list-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joseph Bennie
Sent: 05 February 2016 09:30


To: list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [LUG] OT: VDSL (Fibre) Modem

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On 5 Feb 2016, at 09:02, Tremayne, Steve <steven.tremayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

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OK, thanks â good to know.

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This is where I now reveal my slight naivety to fibre broadbandâ if my supplier is non-BT (say, Zenâ if only I could afford itâ), then do I still get BT equipment supplied?

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It depends on the local network and if your getting FTTP or FTTC,

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If FTTP (fiber to the premises) like me I'd assume yes the device on the wall will be BT and is the modern equivalent to the RJ11 jack box. but its a fully digital device with 2 RJ11 and one RJ45. The RJ11's have vop phone numbers but using conventional phones or pbax.Â

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If FTTC (fiber to the cabinet) Âyou'll just use a standard vsdl/adsl modem and have a modified RJ11 jack box with a specialised filter installed, in which case you can plug the draytek in directly as it can replace the ISP plastic.Â

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VSDL and ADSL essentially work in the same way from a consumer POV.Â

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My original reason for going with a Draytek router (years ago), was due to ISP provided ADSL routers, which are similar to the plastic toys that came in breakfast cereals ;)

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:) agreed, however current BT devices will be significantly quicker than the older draytek, The BT and virgin devices are designed for 300-900mbps throughputs. where are the draytek will be around 20-40mbps througput. (as will some cheaper home/soho products think sub 100 )

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Note: throughput is the speed it can internally process data, not the speed on the wire. ÂÂ



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So â my current ISP (Plusnet) are offering a free âmagic boxâ â Iâm presuming that is a VDSL router â OR â is it a simple router and I would still have the BT white box?

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it will depend on if its FTTP or FTTC , I'm guessing it will be FTTC :(Â



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Concerning the âstock BT Black Modemâ you mention â is that referring to an additional BT router? From my previous attempts at setting up DDNS, port forwarding, VPNs and other functions in the past â Iâve never got on with the BT equipmentâ againâ switching to something else was always preferable.

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you can rethink that. but again their devices are heavily modified to keep the consumer end simple. That said the complexity of the setup when using other devices means you really do need to know what to do. Its a trade off.Â



But, Iâm all earsâ

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My gut is alway work directly with BT or Virgin, while BT can be incredibly slow at getting the install done, both just work once there are done.

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Unless you have bad copper between the box in the road and the house. ... in which case consider having it replaced.Â

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From:Âlist [mailto:list-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]ÂOn Behalf OfÂJoseph Bennie
Sent:Â05 February 2016 08:54
To:Âlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject:ÂRe: [LUG] OT: VDSL (Fibre) Modem

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Bt will supply a white box fixed to the wall with a battery backup. Its a simple fiber to ethernet bridge

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The output from that box is tcp/ip ethernet - connect to it and set up you pppoe connection.Â

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If using static ranges:Â

I strongly suggest using the stock BT Black Modem as the ip forwarding is a total pain and the stock routers have all the difficult stuff per configured.Â

All you need to do is connect to the 1gb port on the router and assign the static to your pfsence, and all an allow all all rule to the bt firewall.Â

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if only using the dynamic ip, or a single static:

Connect the pfsence directly and configure pppoe on the pfSense.Â

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On 5 Feb 2016, at 08:13, Tremayne, Steve <steven.tremayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

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OK, so, my exchange is now joining the fibre-enabled world and Iâd like to skip the router/modem and make better use of my pfSense firewall by connecting it to the fibre directly â via a VDSL Modem.

Â

OK, I know itâs a BSD device, but itâs almost Linux :)

Â

Iâm a big fan of Draytek for their router/modems â but as Iâve seen some good *DSL advise on this forum, I thought Iâd see what opinions there were about VDSL modemsâ any recommendations? Anything to avoid?

Â

If the finances can afford it, Iâd like to go for the 80Mb line â basically so that I get a better upload rate whilst Iâm working away from home (all too often at the moment) â so Iâm guessing that the throughput can be an issue with these things?

Â

Any other advice?

Â

Thanks,

Â

Steve

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