Noob: Where to source a router?

dslpete · Jun 29, 2010, 19:55:18

Hi,

I currently have both a Billion 7402NX and DLINK 2640 ADSL2+ router. Since my upgrade to 2+, the Billion has been very flaky with my BRAS profile being dropped from the initial 14Mb to a paltry 1.5Mb. I have had the profile reset and used the Dlink which syncs fairly reliably at around 14.5Mb, however, the line drops 6-8 times a day. If I reconnect the Billion, the sync speed starts around 14, but drops gradually over time, so I've decided to not connect it anymore.

I have connected directly into the test socket and replaced filters etc. The Dlink has an attenuation of 33db, whilst the Billion is 38db. I live approx 1km from the exchange as the crow flies and was getting 7.5Mb on dslmax.

My ISP has suggested getting an engineer, but other forums have suggested that the chipset and firmware in the router may be problematic for my line. So, before I incur cost (if there is no fault found), I wanted to prove the chipset issue either way. Therefore, I've been recommended a 2700 series router, but I'm rather confused by the various models and where to reliably source one so that I can get the tests done quickly. Can anyone point me in the direction of a supplier and recommend a particular model?

If the router does 'save my world', then I'd like to be able to use it for VoIP (Sip) and VPN access and Wireless N access.

Very many thanks for your help!

Regards
Pete

Steve · Jun 29, 2010, 20:04:49

Most of the 2700 are sourced from eBay from BT Business customers. You should expect to pay £10-£15 the software version 5 is preferred

Ray · Jun 29, 2010, 20:06:18

MisterW · Jun 29, 2010, 20:16:22

QuoteIf the router does 'save my world', then I'd like to be able to use it for VoIP (Sip) and VPN access and Wireless N access.

Sip is ok if, as Steve says, you get a v5 , Wireless N is a no no with a 2700, its only g I'm afraid. I'm not quite sure what you're looking for with VPN access, if its VPN endpoint support you're after then again its a no no, I'm afraid but VPN pass through using a VPN client is fine.

dslpete · Jun 29, 2010, 20:18:50

Thanks Ray & Steve for the warm welcome

I'll do some digging - the ones I looked at on ebay don't seem to mention the version number, so that'll be fun communicating with some buyers.

Cheers
Pete

dslpete · Jun 29, 2010, 20:20:44

Quote from: MisterW on Jun 29, 2010, 20:16:22
:welc:Sip is ok if, as Steve says, you get a v5 , Wireless N is a no no with a 2700, its only g I'm afraid. I'm not quite sure what you're looking for with VPN access, if its VPN endpoint support you're after then again its a no no, I'm afraid but VPN pass through using a VPN client is fine.

I've re-thought this... I can use my Wireless N access from the Billion and use it as my gigabit switch for LAN access, which is then connected to the 2700 as the gateway to DSL. VPN is simply IPSEC inwards, which I guess can be done with port forwarding.

Cheers
Pete

dslpete · Jun 29, 2010, 20:58:38

If I take full responsibility for my own purchase, is anyone able to point me in the right direction on ebay?

Should I be looking for BNIB models or one that's already been unlocked?

i.e.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wireless-Router-ADSL-BT-Hub-2700HGV-Never-Used-/300438126523?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item45f381ffbb

Can *any* model be reflashed with v5?

My main goal here is to get a stable connection, rather than other features.

Cheers
Pete

MisterW · Jun 29, 2010, 21:06:22

Yep, that should work for the Wireless , no probs. I'm not sure about the VPN though. Am I correct in assuming that you are using the Billion as an IpSec VPN endpoint ? if so I'm not sure if its capable of handling VPN connections in, from what will now be one of its LAN ports, as opposed to the normal situation where its handling them from its WAN(ADSL) port. I'll give it a bit more thought...

To answer your other queries, go for BNIB, they can all be effectively unlocked for any ISP.

V6 models can not be downgraded to V5.
But the only thing that hasn't been figured out yet with V6 is the voip(sip) config.
Have a good read through here http://bt2700hgv.tripod.com/ir1002700HGV.htm , it's by far the best site for 2700 info.
edit: Ah! , from your other post I see you already been there...

Lance · Jun 29, 2010, 21:46:03

Look for BNIB. I wouldn't buy it if it says unlocked.

I've not had any problems with v6 firmware myself and no port forwarding was required for my works IPSEC VPN pass through. Some v4 models can be flashed to v5 but I think you would be hard pressed to find a v4 model BNIB these days.

dslpete · Jun 30, 2010, 13:37:55

If a unit has the following:

4201-003003-008 AND serial number starts 1709

is this an Ok unit, or one of the ones to be avoided?

The Tripod site seems to confuse as there's two entries for this assemby number.

kinmel · Jun 30, 2010, 13:47:46

Quote from: dslpete on Jun 30, 2010, 13:37:55
If a unit has the following:

4201-003003-008 AND serial number starts 1709

is this an Ok unit, or one of the ones to be avoided?

that unit was manufactured in week 17 of 2009, V6 first appeared in week 43 of 2008 and updating of old routers to V6 started in week 46 of 2008

So that one is V6 and as yet does not support VOIP off BTs network

Quote

The Tripod site seems to confuse as there's two entries for this assemby number.

The first 4 numbers of the serial are the manufacture date, the assembly number identifies the hardware installed. Assembly numbers run for significant periods of time.

dslpete · Jun 30, 2010, 14:29:18

Thanks.

On the topic of SIP, if I don't use the router's SIP features, but wish to use my DECT phone's SIP features (very cool Siemens!), then I presume that it will work as I just enable the SIP port to pass through the firewall as I would any other port?

Have I understood the limitations correctly?

If so, I'll probably go for this unit that I've found.
Cheers

kinmel · Jun 30, 2010, 14:32:42

Quote from: dslpete on Jun 30, 2010, 14:29:18
Thanks.

On the topic of SIP, if I don't use the router's SIP features, but wish to use my DECT phone's SIP features (very cool Siemens!), then I presume that it will work as I just enable the SIP port to pass through the firewall as I would any other port?

Have I understood the limitations correctly?

If so, I'll probably go for this unit that I've found.
Cheers

That router will be fine then

dslpete · Jun 30, 2010, 14:45:16

Purchased!

I'm sure I'll be back in touch regarding set up. But I'm off to read the flashing docs now.

Thanks all very much for your help and kind words to date. It's very much appreciated guys.

Cheers
Pete

MisterW · Jun 30, 2010, 15:49:51

QuoteOn the topic of SIP, if I don't use the router's SIP features, but wish to use my DECT phone's SIP features (very cool Siemens!), then I presume that it will work as I just enable the SIP port to pass through the firewall as I would any other port?

Yep, it will work just great and you don't need to do any port forwarding. I have a Siemens C475IP ( I guess you have something similar! ) and it works fine. The 2700 has an inbuilt SIP ALG ( Application Layer Gateway ) which actually works ( unlike most routers! ), it will automatically create a 'pinhole' in the firewall to forward SIP/RTP traffic to a connected SIP device.

Gnix62 · Jul 01, 2010, 05:53:43

Quote from: kinmel on Jun 30, 2010, 13:47:46

that unit was manufactured in week 17 of 2009, V6 first appeared in week 43 of 2008 and updating of old routers to V6 started in week 46 of 2008

So that one is V6 and as yet does not support VOIP off BTs network

The first 4 numbers of the serial are the manufacture date, the assembly number identifies the hardware installed. Assembly numbers run for significant periods of time.

BT V6 formware does limited ( because Dial plan that BT set, so some VOIP number cannot called out ) support to other VOIP providers,

Attached the images.

Regards