Billion Bipac 7800N on FTTC

[stevenrw]

I've been using the Billion Bipac 7800N router for a while now, but on ADSL. I see a lot of posts regarding the unit and that Simon is testing one at the moment.
I'm only about 50 metres away from a nice new shiny cabinet that's just been installed and will be commissioned any day now, so with that in mind, I'm assuming really fast speeds with FTTC.
So I'm tempted.
I'm very pleased with the performance on ADSL, but in the event of my switching to FTTC with IDnet, can anybody advise how it performs with the modem that BT will install? Presumably Simon will have been looking into that issue in some detail.
I'll have to add a USB wireless adapter to my machine, so I'd likely go with the Billion unit also, just to keep everything simple.
The 2.4ghz wireless issue presents no problems for me btw, but I do think that they might have included a port for NAS at this price point.
However, it does do what it says on the box very well, for ADSL at least.

[Rik]

From what we know, IDNet have tested the 7800 with FTTC and the BT-supplied modem, and were very pleased with the results.

[Glenn]

Steve,

I'm around 4 - 500m from my cabinet, when the BT chap connected my line it showed the max on his test device, 40000/10000, with a sync of 38+/8+ on my Buffalo router.

[stevenrw]

Wow! Yippee, - that's quite quick I'd say.
You've got me all quivery with anticipation.
Did you need to bolt the modem to the floor?

[Simon]

Easy tiger! 

[Steve]

I'm certain this is the setup that Bill's using at the moment i.e VDSL modem -PPPOE -7800N and he's running the dual stack beta firmware.

[stevenrw]

Sorry - you've lost me with the dual stack thingy.
I'm running ADSL with the 1.06c firmware and I see from their support pages that there's a 1.06c.dc1 firmware.
What's the difference anybody? It mentions "one to one NAT", but again I'm lost with that.
...cue all you techies....

[Steve]

Sorry the beta firmware provides IPv6 support as well hence the term dual stack. IPv4/IPv6 IDNet supports native IPv6. If you want to try pm your email address The beta firmware is only available on request from support at Billion UK

[stevenrw]

Thanks for the translation Steve.
The question is if I do choose to go FTTC with IDNet rather than remain on ADSL2+ will I need the new ip system, or is it just a "nice to have" and more a future-proofing exercise at this stage.
Also will it make reconfiguring the Billion for FTTC more complicated. (I'm assuming that IDNet will supply the settings once I've taken the plunge and the BT chappie will be responsible for reconfiguring the router)
I'm thinking maybe wait until the beta becomes official. If it ain't broke....

[Rik]

You won't need IPv6 support in the short term, but we all will in a couple of years. I don't think, but I'm not on fibre, that BT will configure your router for you, anything after the modem is down to the user, generally. People here are using it on fibre, though, so you won't be short of advice. You'll certainly be fine waiting until the firmware comes out of beta.

[Steve]

You don't need IPv6 at present for a home network, but the transition has started, there are a few english language sites with IPv6 addresses i.e google and Thinkbroadband. The last blocks of IPv4 have gone which will drive up the price of anyone wanting an IPv4 address. My guess is this cost will drive the web towards increasing use of IPv6. So the next phase say in couple of years will be an internet with an IPv4/IPv6 mix, this will mean ISPs will have to route both types of traffic. We already have AAISP,IDNet,ETNA supplying IPv6 to customers.

The set up of the 7800N is straightforward via the EWAN port (to the VDSL modem) although I've only tested it with a Draytek 120 adsl modem but it's the same PPPOE type connection as FTTC.

[pctech]

Probably a dumb question but is this the same router? (I ask only as I don't want to end up with wrong hardware revision etc)

I'm thinking of getting it when payday comes around.

[Rik]

I believe so, Mitch.

[pctech]

My thoughts are I could get one and then don't have to think about it again.

Also means if I'm ever in the position to get FTTP I can use my own router to terminate the Ethernet feed rather than poor quality BT garbage.

[Rik]

Let me know how it goes will you?

[pctech]

Will do.

[stevenrw]

pctech - I think you will still need a modem between your Bipac 7800N and the incoming feed. The BT router plugs in to the ewan port.
Diagram here
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ProductID=8074
Just remember that the Billion unit only transmits wireless "N" on the 2.4GHz frequency, there's not a 5 GHz option. You'll need to check your adapter.
Other than that you will be fairly future proof with this unit, if a tad skint  .

[Najarak]

I'm very pleased with the performance on ADSL, but in the event of my switching to FTTC with IDnet, can anybody advise how it performs with the modem that BT will install? Presumably Simon will have been looking into that issue in some detail.

To answer your original question, I switched from ADSL to FTTC in April and the Billion works fine, the only problem I had was fathoming out from the manual how to change the settings, in the end I gave up and rang Billion's UK support line, the guy there talked me through it, see my post of April 7th in the other Billion thread. Speedtest results vary, presumably due to congestion, but I usually get about 35Mbps up and 8Mbps down.

[stevenrw]

Speedtest results vary, presumably due to congestion, but I usually get about 35Mbps up and 8Mbps down.

I assume that's 35 down and 8 up. I'd expect little congestion (contention) with IDNet however....

[pctech]

pctech - I think you will still need a modem between your Bipac 7800N and the incoming feed. The BT router plugs in to the ewan port.
Diagram here
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ProductID=8074
Just remember that the Billion unit only transmits wireless "N" on the 2.4GHz frequency, there's not a 5 GHz option. You'll need to check your adapter.
Other than that you will be fairly future proof with this unit, if a tad skint  .

Will be limking to an ADSL line for the moment but hopefully FTTP in the future.

[Najarak]

I assume that's 35 down and 8 up. I'd expect little congestion (contention) with IDNet however....

Yes you are right, just a "senior moment".

I would think that the congestion is on the BT network as it occurs during the evenings and speed drops by about 50%

[pctech]

Right.

Got it plugged in (be aware that with the Amazon package at least you don't get any microfilters)

Unit is about the same size as a 2700 I'd say but can only be stood horzontally (there are protrouding screw threads on the sides for the antennae)

Make sure you set TCP/IP to automatically obtain an IP otherwise you won't be able to log in at first.

Looks to be a bewildering array of options.

Went for quick set up and was quite simple.

My sync is currently 2816 down and 448 up and attenuation showing as 63 down and 31 up but I suppose it needs to 'bed down' with the BT exchange kit so will see.

Lost about 10 Kbps on the download speed but again will see what happens.


Configured it to act as DHCP for my IP allocation but won't go into that here as IDNet don't supply fixed IPs.

[Rik]

Keep us posted, Mitch.

[pctech]

Will do.

[pctech]

Will someone kindly post when they notice that the production firmware supporting IPv6 is released please. my new box is currently running 1.05a according to the configuration interface.