Should I buy it - advice sought

petethegeek · Sep 03, 2008, 18:42:16

Hi, I'm hoping some of you kind people will be good enough to indulge me with your knowledge and opinions...

Due to a file transfer issue, exposed by my purchase of a M$ Vista laptop, I recently had to upgrade the firmware in my faithful ST585v6. I'm never too keen to carry out such fundamental changes to critical pieces of kit - it always feels a bit like diy brain surgery - but as it happens all went OK. However, it did make me aware of the fact that, having given away my old wired router/modem to a neighbour, I could really do with a spare to use in case of emergencies.

So, to cut what is already becoming a long(ish) story a bit short(er), I have discovered that the local CEX store has a second hand BT Business Hub, version 2 according to the small label on the side of the box, priced at £20. My question to the brains trust therefore is; before I commit time and energy to researching this forum, and any other sources I can find, am I likely to be able to make this item work connecting my modest home network to idnet and is this a reasonable price to pay? (OK, that's two questions.)

Regards,

Pete

Rik · Sep 03, 2008, 18:45:52

Hi Pete and welcome to the forum.

If it's a 2700, then it will definitely work with IDNet. Not sure what they mean by v2, though. Essentially, we recognise the single SSID model, with a variety of firmware, and the dual SSID model with BT firmware. Because of the normal source, eBay, £20 is about average compared to router+carriage, though sometimes you can get one for <£10 carriage paid from eBay and I have seen them selling for upwards of £30.

Steve · Sep 03, 2008, 18:58:14

If you need UPNP look elsewhere the business hub does not support it.

petethegeek · Sep 03, 2008, 19:46:14

Hi Rik and thanks for the (startlingly) quick response. I'm afraid I'm currently somewhat unfamiliar with these devices other than being aware of a general opinion of them as a good quality piece of kit.

The one I saw was in a locked cabinet and, not knowing exactly what I was looking at, I elected to do some 'background reading' before asking to examine it more closely.

The box itself was obviously BT branded and - from memory - described it as a BT Business Hub. Could you possibly give me some pointers as to how to fully identify it, and anything else I should be looking for?

Regards,

Pete

petethegeek · Sep 03, 2008, 19:47:18

Quote from: stevethegas on Sep 03, 2008, 18:58:14
If you need UPNP look elsewhere the business hub does not support it.

Steve, I don't believe I need UPnP - particularly as this will primarily be a backup. Internally I just run XP, Linux and now Vista utilising http, ftp and smb with the occasional need to offer http externally via nat through the router.

Regards,

Pete

Rik · Sep 03, 2008, 19:50:24

You need to get your hands on the router itself, Pete. Underneath, there are some labels with serial numbers. The latest will have two SSIDs on the right of that label, one for ADSL, one for BT Fusion.

petethegeek · Sep 03, 2008, 19:58:45

Quote from: Rik on Sep 03, 2008, 19:50:24
You need to get your hands on the router itself, Pete. Underneath, there are some labels with serial numbers. The latest will have two SSIDs on the right of that label, one for ADSL, one for BT Fusion.

Which would mean I can start to set it up straight out of the box, or will it need some form of re-flashing?

And if it only has one SSID?

(I realise I should be digging this out for myself, but you're just being way too helpful Rik!)

kinmel · Sep 03, 2008, 19:59:37

The 2700HGV box is one of these 2 options

Old style box

new style box

Those ebay prices look good too.

Simon · Sep 03, 2008, 21:49:55

Can't add to the above, Pete, except to say,

and

I have a twin SSID version of the 2700, and after getting through three off eBay that didn't work, or failed after a few weeks, this one seems rock solid, and it easy to set up with IDNet.

Inactive · Sep 03, 2008, 23:29:44

Ditto, just to add my Warm Welcome.

Sebby · Sep 04, 2008, 00:09:13

I think everything has already been said. V2 means it is dual SSID, AFAIK.

Ann · Sep 06, 2008, 17:17:39

I wouldn't buy a used one for that price. You can get new ones for 20 quid or less on ebay. I'd definitely get a new one.

Ted · Sep 06, 2008, 18:24:00

Quote from: Ann on Sep 06, 2008, 17:17:39
I wouldn't buy a used one for that price. You can get new ones for 20 quid or less on ebay. I'd definitely get a new one.

Ann's right, buy a new one from Ebay. You can pick them up brand new for half that price.

Confirm with the seller that, if the box isn't security sealed, that all the stuff in the box is in sealed plastic bags. If not, you can't be sure its not been used.

There's no need to flash it, unless you want to. Then it would depend on the model as to which firmware to use.

Den · Sep 07, 2008, 21:52:09

If you buy from CEX they have to give you a guarentee so I would think it's a good buy and far better than taking the chance on Ebay (I bought mine on ebay and had no problems so I'm not biased). If its V2 then it's the twin SSID and therefore a great piece of kit. Good luck

David · Sep 07, 2008, 22:08:55

Got mine from Ebay think it was £12 cant recall the exact price its been fine up to date and I have had it over 3 months....set up easy (

)well it was my first.

Good luck on what ever you decide and welcome to the madhouse

jazzist · Sep 11, 2008, 21:00:49

Hi guys, Just got my 2700 this morning and looking fwd to trying it out. Paid £5.50 for a brand-new one on eBay, plus £4 postage IIRC. My Netgear D834G seems fine but someone posted on thinkbroadband that this might help my sync speed a bit.

Simon · Sep 11, 2008, 21:04:18

For less than a tenner, it's worth it just for a new gadget to fiddle with! Hope you see some improvements, Jazz, and

Steve · Sep 11, 2008, 21:08:54

Welcome

Good bargain,they seem to do good things on long lines

Sebby · Sep 12, 2008, 01:18:03

Many of us have found the 2700 gives us significantly better sync, whilst being more stable.

jazzist · Sep 12, 2008, 08:39:21

Just set it up now, was a dual SSID so only took 10 minutes in all.

from 1000-1200 with a Netgear d834g...

Incoming: 1664 kbps

thanks for the Karmas

Rik · Sep 12, 2008, 09:27:08

Sounds like a result, Jazz.

I've found the 2700 to be much more stable than the Netgears, hardly any fluctuation in noise margin, and a sync about 20-25% higher.

Welcome to our merry band.

Sebby · Sep 12, 2008, 13:01:50

The 2700 does it again... Enjoy.

Baz · Sep 12, 2008, 14:17:17

£5.50 for a brand new router

im gonna obviously have to take a look into this 2700 carry on.are they returned stock or something.obsolete gear???

eh whats it all about

Rik · Sep 12, 2008, 14:49:55

The 2700s are supplied by BT to their business customers, Baz. Those that don't want them dispose of them, and many end up on eBay. It is possible to buy one from BT, for about £90...

Sebby · Sep 12, 2008, 22:39:31

I suppose a lot of people think they're just like the Home Hub (i.e. rubbish) and so they go for very small amounts of money.