Unlocking Openreach VDSL Modem

.Griff. · Sep 05, 2011, 20:17:49

I've known for some time that there's been a couple of methods available to "unlock" the Openreach modem so that you can access all of the options and line stats that OR for some reason didn't want us to see but I didn't want to risk bricking the modem and lost interest.

I've now discovered there's a relatively simple way of doing this so I'm hoping to get a spare modem from a friend who works for Openreach and unlock it.

If successful I'll post back with screenshots and line stats.

(NOTE - I'm not going to post any links and/or methods to do this (yet) as I don't want to be responsible for people bricking their modems)

Steve · Sep 05, 2011, 20:49:01

Thanks Griff . I've seen one informative thread, it would be nice if you could manage to acquire a spare modem to try it on.

.Griff. · Sep 06, 2011, 20:54:36

Operation "Unlock" is now under way.

My OR mate has obtained a spare modem and is posting it to me tomorrow!

Rik · Sep 07, 2011, 10:35:36

We're watching this space.

Lance · Sep 07, 2011, 11:27:58

Actually I'm watching the space below this post where Griff's post will slot in.

Rik · Sep 07, 2011, 11:37:05

And now down one...

pctech · Sep 07, 2011, 11:52:26

Wonder why OR are so secretive about them.

Maybe there's lots of controls that your average user could fiddle with and thus disable their connection.

joe · Sep 07, 2011, 12:28:19

Good luck Griff, looking forward to following your lead. I hope it is simpler than the method discussed by asbokid at

http://forum.kitz.co.uk/index.php?topic=9503.0

Steve · Sep 07, 2011, 13:09:17

I've read that one as well,not something to undertake after a few beers.

Technical Ben · Sep 07, 2011, 14:18:02

Quote from: pctech on Sep 07, 2011, 11:52:26
Wonder why OR are so secretive about them.

Maybe there's lots of controls that your average user could fiddle with and thus disable their connection.

The fear of education. Instead of teaching the user how to actually do something, they are worried an uneducated user will break it. I prefer the solution to teach people the correct method, they prefer the solution to not trust the user.

Niall · Sep 07, 2011, 18:09:26

Trouble is that the general member of the public can barely open a can of beans, so I wouldn't trust anyone with access that has the potential to damage things

If BT can't even get things right at their end, what changes do the uneducated masses have?

If it was Tropico 4, they'd all be working the fields for my general

.Griff. · Sep 08, 2011, 12:07:34

The modem has arrived and the first surprise is it's a "2B" revision.

I know Huawei revised the original design slightly and newer installs used the "2V" version but apparently the "2B" is the latest and newest revision in the series.

I've got a few things to do but I'll get it hooked up later and try and unlock it.

.Griff. · Sep 08, 2011, 12:24:29

Rik · Sep 08, 2011, 12:27:17

It must be something to do with the Chinese alphabet, Griff.

.Griff. · Sep 08, 2011, 12:52:02

Success!!

(Click for full size image)

.Griff. · Sep 08, 2011, 13:43:44

I know this is going to sound ridiculous but I'm positive that simple web browsing is so much quicker now with the new modem attached compared to the old.

Whether it's the different firmware or the fact it's a revised model I'm not sure but simply changing websites seems so much quicker now.

Perhaps it's just all in the mind!

Polchraine · Sep 08, 2011, 14:05:24

Quote from: .Griff. on Sep 08, 2011, 13:43:44
I know this is going to sound ridiculous but I'm positive that simple web browsing is so much quicker now with the new modem attached compared to the old.

Whether it's the different firmware or the fact it's a revised model I'm not sure but simply changing websites seems so much quicker now.

Perhaps it's just all in the mind!

You have removed the "divert all traffic through GCHQ" patch! leaving just the other one in place "send copies of all traffic to CGCHQ - Beijing"

.Griff. · Sep 08, 2011, 14:09:52

lol Now it make sense!

joe · Sep 08, 2011, 14:31:44

Congratulations Griff!

Hoping to share your success shortly

pctech · Sep 08, 2011, 14:45:49

Just make sure you don't make or read any anti Communist comments.

.Griff. · Sep 08, 2011, 15:05:49

Complete line stats - griff.www.idnet.com/putty.log

Steve · Sep 08, 2011, 15:17:06

A success then Griff

However before others jump on the bandwagon be warned that unless you've acquired the modem elsewhere it is BT property I believe and apparently they do query these devices regularly

http://forum.zensupport.co.uk/39992/40400/permalink/ShowThread.aspx#40400

.Griff. · Sep 08, 2011, 22:01:09

Steve · Sep 08, 2011, 22:23:10

Well it looks impressive but what does it mean.

.Griff. · Sep 08, 2011, 22:28:04

Quote from: Steve on Sep 08, 2011, 22:23:10
Well it looks impressive but what does it mean.

I was hoping someone could tell me!

Steve · Sep 08, 2011, 22:34:41

We'll have to wait then.

Is downstream on the left or right? The dip on the left I assume is caused by 'noise' hitting certain frequencies.

joe · Sep 11, 2011, 12:23:46

Griff,

I can understand the communication between PC and the OR modem in isolation when 192.168.1.1 would have no conflicts, but when connected in a normal operating manner: OR modem - Linsksys WRT610n router - PC then 192.168.1.1 is the IP address of the Linsksys. How then does one communicate with the OR modem?

Early days but as yet you don't appear to be getting much help understanding your graphs!

Lance · Sep 11, 2011, 14:57:25

Change the address of the router?

.Griff. · Sep 11, 2011, 15:07:59

Quote from: Lance on Sep 11, 2011, 14:57:25
Change the address of the router?

As Lance suggested. Either change the IP of your router or you can change the IP of the OR Modem.

By default my Linksys router is also 192.168.1.1 but I just changed to it 192.168.1.2.

.Griff. · Sep 11, 2011, 16:20:14

Something else I'm stumbled across.

The modem has QOS enabled by default and disabling this has boosted both my download and upload speeds.

Rik · Sep 11, 2011, 16:21:13

By much, Griff?

.Griff. · Sep 11, 2011, 16:25:25

My previous fastest upload speed was 8.41Mbps and in the last 12 months it's never exceeded that. Now it tops out at 8.57Mbps so not a great increase but an increase all the same.

As for download that's harder to measure due to my ever changing IP Profile but I'd say it's added maybe 1Mbps to the top speed.

Rik · Sep 11, 2011, 16:26:39

A Tesco moment, then.

.Griff. · Sep 11, 2011, 16:28:47

Quote from: Rik on Sep 11, 2011, 16:26:39
A Tesco moment, then.

Took me a second but indeed it does!

Rik · Sep 11, 2011, 16:34:48

joe · Sep 11, 2011, 17:17:38

Thanks guys

.Griff. · Sep 11, 2011, 17:18:56

Quote from: joe on Sep 11, 2011, 17:17:38
Thanks guys

What do your stats look like Joe?

joe · Sep 11, 2011, 17:47:45

When I'm in a position to get some I'll let you know!

Anton · Sep 12, 2011, 20:50:45

Quote from: .Griff. on Sep 11, 2011, 16:20:14
The modem has QOS enabled by default and disabling this has boosted both my download and upload speeds.

I'm on the edge of my ignorance now, but what traffic does QOS prioritise on the BT network? I'm assuming VOIP and Video, but I'm just guessing?

joe · Sep 13, 2011, 13:54:05

Stats are going to have to wait until I obtain a spare, and cheap, OR modem.

I'm intersted in obtaining the stats but am not about to spend more than £44.20 (current bid as at time of writing) on eBay to get one when BT might well replace it if, and when, they double the speed.

I'm also not sure about buying an item from any seller who may not actually own it. I understand that my OR modem belongs to BT and is therefore not mine to sell. Is that correct?

In any event everything is working OK at the moment so I think I will leave well alone.

pctech · Sep 13, 2011, 18:43:47

Quote from: Anton on Sep 12, 2011, 20:50:45
I'm on the edge of my ignorance now, but what traffic does QOS prioritise on the BT network? I'm assuming VOIP and Video, but I'm just guessing?

I don't think customer router (CPE) based QoS has any effect on the BT handling of packets Anton as it is effectively a tunnel as far as I understand it.

Only QoS is best effort and assured rate at the moment I believe and is arranged between BT and the ISP.

Lance · Sep 13, 2011, 22:28:33

Indeed it's just the packets the modem chooses to prioritise and allocate bandwidth to. I'm also guessing it's VoIP and streaming.