Multiple logins on one line?

Bill · Nov 18, 2010, 17:43:22

Intriguing thread over on tbb...

http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/general/f/3932414-plusnet-login-works-on-our-zen-connection.html

Someone logging in to Plusnet on a Zen line.

Rik · Nov 18, 2010, 17:45:27

Interesting. In theory, it can't happen but then again, we are talking about BT.

Steve · Nov 18, 2010, 17:49:19

Well if any non idnet user wants to send me their login details , I'm happy to try and repeat it.

Bill · Nov 18, 2010, 17:50:03

Quote from: Rik on Nov 18, 2010, 17:45:27
Interesting. In theory, it can't happen but then again, we are talking about BT.

Not strictly true, there's nothing on the networks to prohibit it, just that it's against BT rules. It normally happens for a day or so when you change ISPs, after all.

I had a chat with Simon about it a few years ago (can't remember if it was on here or on tbb), apparently there is a mechanism where it's possible to have two ISPs on one line, but I can't remember the details.

Rik · Nov 18, 2010, 17:51:42

But being to log into an ISP you're not validated for is odd, isn't it?

Lance · Nov 18, 2010, 17:53:34

Onmly validated as far as BT are concerned. In the example a valid username and password were held in the router meaning that once BT had been passed the ISP log in was possible.

pctech · Nov 18, 2010, 17:54:39

Thought this was part of the reason for the BRAS, to lock you to one provider?

Bill · Nov 18, 2010, 17:55:17

Depends what you mean by "validated"... the connection is OK, that's all BT are interested in, it's just the billing that is likely to go to the wrong place!

Rik · Nov 18, 2010, 17:55:27

Quote from: Lance on Nov 18, 2010, 17:53:34
Onmly validated as far as BT are concerned. In the example a valid username and password were held in the router meaning that once BT had been passed the ISP log in was possible.

I must start visiting my neighbours, router in hand.

Bill · Nov 18, 2010, 17:58:54

Quote from: pctech on Nov 18, 2010, 17:54:39
Thought this was part of the reason for the BRAS, to lock you to one provider?

...the current BRAS upgrade programme because it is "not going very well at all" ...!

pctech · Nov 18, 2010, 18:00:06

Quote from: Bill on Nov 18, 2010, 17:55:17
Depends what you mean by "validated"... the connection is OK, that's all BT are interested in, it's just the billing that is likely to go to the wrong place!

BT charge ISPs for how much traffic is transferred over their hostlinks Bill so any ISP is likely to notice PDQ.

Rik · Nov 18, 2010, 18:00:50

Quote from: Bill on Nov 18, 2010, 17:58:54
...the current BRAS upgrade programme because it is "not going very well at all" ...!

Which has to win this year's award for understatement.

Bill · Nov 18, 2010, 18:05:12

I asked Phil (yarwell) in that thread whether it could be related to the BT speedtester not asking for login information now, he thought it could. He usually knows what he's talking about...

If he's right it implies that it's deliberate.

Rik · Nov 18, 2010, 18:06:47

Yes, I agree, Phil normally talks from knowledge, Bill.

pctech · Nov 18, 2010, 18:08:20

A change in business model?

Bill · Nov 18, 2010, 18:12:01

The BT business model:

DorsetBoy · Nov 18, 2010, 18:12:37

I found that I was able to log on to an old ISP 8/9 months after moving away. I needed to check my line with a different router and plugged in the old ISP supplied unit and it just lit up and connected me to the wrong ISP.

DorsetBoy · Nov 18, 2010, 18:13:24

Quote from: Bill on Nov 18, 2010, 18:12:01
The BT business model:

I bet you are waiting for Flog It to come to your area Bill

Bill · Nov 18, 2010, 19:20:13

Quote from: pctech on Nov 18, 2010, 18:08:20
A change in business model?

Just seen an ad on TV for BT, advertising the use of their Homehubs as wireless hotspots (OpenZone ??), could it be related to that?

ie the user may not be coming in on his/her "allocated" phone number, and hence the login info is less relevant in some way?

A pure guess, 'cos I don't know enough about how it works

Technical Ben · Nov 18, 2010, 21:54:36

Quote from: Bill on Nov 18, 2010, 18:12:01
The BT business model:

Oh my, I remember me/my brother having one of those!

Technical Ben · Nov 18, 2010, 21:55:25

Quote from: Bill on Nov 18, 2010, 19:20:13
Just seen an ad on TV for BT, advertising the use of their Homehubs as wireless hotspots (OpenZone ??), could it be related to that?

ie the user may not be coming in on his/her "allocated" phone number, and hence the login info is less relevant in some way?

A pure guess, 'cos I don't know enough about how it works

Nope. That is via the existing BT homehub wifi. It logs in through that (not a seperate ISP/login). It's BT Openworld/BTFON AFAIK. Similar to a VPN? I'm not sure, but I don't think you do any logging in at the exchange, just someone's router.
[edit]
Oh, I see a massive advantage to this.
You can compare ISPs over the same line! At the same time (after a quick swap that is). OR if you use up your bandwidth with one provider, pay for a second.
Other uses would be highly... iffy?

drummer · Nov 19, 2010, 01:54:19

A few years ago, I connected to my friend's AOL service (with his login credentials) via my Tiscali ADSL line.

It struck me as odd at the time because the router had been reset to factory defaults, then configured for AOL, so it wasn't me connecting to his account using my login credentials.

A whois trace confirmed that I was connected to the interwebs via AOL, even though Tiswas was my ISP.

I could've read all his emails if I wanted, so that was weird.