IDNet routing error ?

JB · Mar 12, 2009, 08:34:59

Can anyone ping or connect to www.tescointernetphone.com (77.75.0.10) please?

I am unable to get to it from my IDNet account (gw5) but can ping it OK from another ISP.

Thanks.

Rik · Mar 12, 2009, 08:38:37

Times out, talking to support...

JB · Mar 12, 2009, 08:39:23

Thanks Rik. Was going to raise a ticket.

Rik · Mar 12, 2009, 08:41:46

It's only getting to the first hop outside IDNet, they're on the case.

JB · Mar 12, 2009, 08:49:55

Thanks Rik. Here is a working traceroute from a machine in Manchester that I have an account on. Don't know if it would help IDNet suss it out.

traceroute to www.tescointernetphone.com (77.75.0.10), 64 hops max, 40 byte packets
1 89.21.5.2 (89.21.5.2) 1.296 ms 1.223 ms 1.440 ms
2 vl7.core.tcw.man.ip.ukgrid.net (89.21.31.17) 1.295 ms 1.702 ms 2.039 ms
3 if0.core.thn.lon.ip.ukgrid.net (89.21.31.82) 13.700 ms 11.533 ms 9.373 ms
4 ge-5-2-0.1104.3112ar3.LON2.gblx.net (208.48.237.193) 9.386 ms 9.387 ms 11.292 ms
5 so7-0-0-2488M.ar2.LON3.gblx.net (67.17.66.30) 11.454 ms 8.791 ms 9.804 ms
6 Asia-NetCom.ge-1-2-0.445.ar2.LON3.gblx.net (208.48.13.226) 11.137 ms 9.793 ms 9.173 ms

Rik · Mar 12, 2009, 09:06:07

It appears to be a peering problem when I phoned, it's OK with some other networks.

Simon_idnet · Mar 12, 2009, 11:54:14

The IP address for www.tescointernetphone.com is 77.75.0.10 which is operated by FreshTel:

http://www.db.ripe.net/whois?form_type=simple&full_query_string=&searchtext=AS42899

We see routes from FreshTel via the LINX route collector. Their Australian phone numbers don't ring (nor do you get 'unobtainable' - just silence...). As they appear to have an office in Stevenage I Googled for the number but that goes straight to fax. So, I put their address into Google and found one of their neighbours. I phoned this neighbour and asked if FreshTel really did have an office upstairs. The nice lady in the Recuitment company that I got through to agreed to write down my number and take it upstairs.

A little while later a lady from FreshTel called me. She explained that all their phone numbers are via Tesco VoIP and so aren't listed in Directory Enquiries. She is in Accounts so couldn't help with Technical Issues. I would have to contact Australia. But the Australian numbers aren't working. She explained that there is a Technical person in the UK but that she doesn't work on Thursdays. Nonetheless she agreed to pass on a message.

Another little while later the Tech lady called. She said that she now has a growing list of reports of connectivity problems. She said that some people had 'fixed' the problem by asking their ISP for a new IP address. I explained that we are an ISP and that we can see that their routing is broken. She said she would pass my details to the Australians and get them to call.

However, it is almost 11pm in Melbourne....

Rik · Mar 12, 2009, 11:57:29

Ouch! That is one sorry way to run a company, Simon. I'm glad they are not my ISP.

Simon · Mar 12, 2009, 12:05:25

Good detective work though, Simon. I would never have thought of ringing next door!

Rik · Mar 12, 2009, 12:10:18

Who said IDNet aren't resourceful.

Lance · Mar 12, 2009, 12:58:55

That's some effort there Simon!

Sebby · Mar 12, 2009, 13:25:54

Indeed.

JB · Mar 12, 2009, 13:48:05

Thanks very much for the information Simon. It seems like a very convoluted way to provide a VOIP service

Presumably cheap though.

Rik · Mar 12, 2009, 14:42:11

Convoluted would be one word for it.

g7pkf · Mar 12, 2009, 16:42:50

tesco voip bah..

tried it once then went straight back to sipgate.

German (i belive) and works well. (doesnt everything german though)

kinmel · Mar 12, 2009, 17:31:47

Quote from: g7pkf on Mar 12, 2009, 16:42:50
tesco voip bah..

German (i belive) and works well. (doesnt everything german though)

Except warmongering

Sebby · Mar 12, 2009, 17:32:50

Quote from: g7pkf on Mar 12, 2009, 16:42:50
German (i belive) and works well. (doesnt everything german though)

Vorsprung durch technik. 8)

Rik · Mar 12, 2009, 17:33:05

Quote from: kinmel on Mar 12, 2009, 17:31:47
Except warmongering

JB · Mar 12, 2009, 17:33:47

Quote from: g7pkf on Mar 12, 2009, 16:42:50
tesco voip bah..

I use it as a backup when I'm at my place in Spain.

My normal provider is voip.co.uk and I was lucky enough to get an account with them in the days when they provided them to private individuals. All you can eat for £1.99 a month.

Simon_idnet · Mar 13, 2009, 09:53:59

We had a response from FreshTel in Australia overnight. They have raised a ticket with LINX.

We have advised them to stop advertising their routes over LINX until the problem is resolved. That way we can reach them via an alternate route.

Simon

Rik · Mar 13, 2009, 09:55:44

Thanks, Simon. Obviously they don't do 24-hour cover in Australia.

Colin Burns · Mar 13, 2009, 12:39:45

go via a US proxy

Simon_idnet · Mar 16, 2009, 11:46:47

Quote from: 6jb on Mar 12, 2009, 08:34:59
Can anyone ping or connect to www.tescointernetphone.com (77.75.0.10) please?

FreshTel have finally disabled their broken route anouncements at LINX which means that we can now reach them via an alternate path.
Simon

Rik · Mar 16, 2009, 11:47:16

Yippee. Thanks, Simon.

Sebby · Mar 16, 2009, 13:24:13

Lance · Mar 16, 2009, 13:53:56

Thanks for the update, Simon.

JB · Mar 16, 2009, 17:34:27

Quote from: Simon_idnet on Mar 16, 2009, 11:46:47
FreshTel have finally disabled their broken route anouncements at LINX which means that we can now reach them via an alternate path.
Simon

As I was the O/P, just wanted to say thank you for looking into this and explaining it so well.