Request For Summary of Commissioning Steps for Single SSID 2-Wire 2700 Router

[iankathy]

I have recently taken delivery of a used 2700 2-wire router that I believe to be a single SSID version, as there are not two labels on the side. I have tried to use the excellent quick setup guide (Alan Woodward), but I get no response to step 3, i.e. setting HOME in my IE7 browser - this results in an invalid message from the browser.

I was wondering if a commissioning guide for the single SSID version exists in this forum - I have been unsuccessful in using the search facility though. I would be grateful if someone could direct me to past topics where the commissioning of a single SSID version of this router are explained, together with issues that need to be taken into account.

Thanks in anticipation,

Ian.

[Rik]

Have you read this thread, Ian?

All I did was to factory reset the router, then go in and manually set it up.

[Inactive]

Hi Ian, and welcome to IDNetters...

Someone will answer your question very soon.. 

Whoops Rik got there.

[Lance]

Welcome to the forum, Ian

[LesD]

I get no response to step 3, i.e. setting HOME in my IE7 browser - this results in an invalid message from the browser.

Hi Ian,



Try: http://gateway.2wire.net/xslt?PAGE=J03&THISPAGE=A02_POST&NEXTPAGE=J03

in your IE7 Browser address bar instead of Home.

If this works look for the Configure options etc. on the left hand side.

I hope this helps. 

[iankathy]

To begin, can I thank those who have responded to my query in a pretty sprightly way, as seems to be the norm in this forum.

The link suggested by Rik was the sort of thing I was looking for - thanks very much. The main issue seems to have been concerned with the very protective way that Vista operates. Initially I had a cable connection to the router, and not being able to communicate with the router led me to asking for help. Subsequently I used the wifi connection from my laptop (the Vista machine), and this allowed me to interact with the management pages of the router, and get my ISP details entered into that system. I have other machines that use Win 2000 Professional, and I discovered that these were much more eager to communicate with the router - even though all my machines use the same firewall (ZoneAlarm) - its just a pity I had not used one of these initially!

Also, thanks to LesD for his suggested link into the router management pages - this worked fine.

At the moment, the router has been connected to IDNet for about 3 hours, and significant traffic has been generated from the laptop (wifi) and a desktop. You might be interested in the following data obtained from the router:
Current rate down 1152 kb/sec
Noise margin 9.0 dB
Atten. 62.3 dB (Yes, I am at the end of a 5km+ telephone line)
O/P power 15.4 dBm
Tx 10.7 Mbyte   0 errors
Rx 85.9 Mbyte   0 errors.

Can I ask whether there is some configuration that it is important to carry out so that the association with BT is broken?

I will report further in a while when more data becomes available.

With many thanks,
Ian.

[Rik]

You need to use DNS poisoning, Ian:


Follow this proceedure:-

        Open Page http://gateway.2wire.net/management again and this time select Advanced, DNS Resolve.

        One at a time, add the following entries:-

                 DNS Name                                                   IP Address

         cwmp.cms.smehomehubrms.bt.com                         10.0.0.0

           gateway.cms.smehomehubrms.bt.com                    10.0.0.0

           pbthdm.bt.motive.com                                         10.0.0.0

           pbthdm2.bt.motive.com                                       10.0.0.0

HTH

[Sebby]

You might want to take a look here. There's lots of information, including a generic firmware to get rid of the BT branding and remove the need to do DNS poisoning.

[Simon]

Can't help with the technical stuff, but another     Ian!

[Ted]

Hi Ian and or Kathy
Go to the link from Sebby a couple of posts above and decide precisely what model of 2700hgv you have.
If you do have an early model single ssid version (not early 2008) you have a few  choices of what to do with it

1, Leave it as it is. It looks as if BT have disowned non BT connected Routers

2, You can flash it with the Singtel firmware, works well, i have tried it (also works fine on the Dual ssid model.

3, And this would be my recommendation. You can flash it with the SBC firmware. Its very stable, you will receive the vulnerability Hotfix from 2wire and best of all......... No BT. If you need content filtering you can get this by using Open DNS.

If you have any questions, just ask away.

Oh, and welcome to the forum but just remember the old axiom, "you don't have to be mad to work here, but it helps"

[iankathy]

Hello Ted,

Many thanks for your comments and pointers to possible ways forward. Here is information to identify the precise model of "2700HGV that I have:

Assembly No.  4201-003003-006
Hardware Ver. 2701-100588-005
Software Ver. 4.25.33
Key Code (which I have not changed) 528Y-27G4-A222-22BJ-B22V

The arrangement of labels is exactly like the left hand picture in the section entitled "Identifying BT2700HGV Model" in the link you provided. In the absence of two labels with SSID indications, I conclude this is a single SSID model.

I have carried out the DNS poisoning described in Rik's post above, also I have implemented the Firewall Setting changes, and Router Password setting as advocated in the setup guide by Alan Woodward. Additionally, I have enabled the wireless system, using the authentication to WPA-PSK, using the default Key. This raises a question that I would be interested in hearing views: The PSK key printed on the label on the base of my unit has 10 decimal numbers. Now I presume that these are hex numbers (and it just so happens that mine are all less than "a") and the 10 digits correspond to a 64-bit encryption. Is the system capable of implementing 128-bit encryption if 26 hex digits are entered?

I had hoped to report on the first few days operation, but I think there has been a problem with my local circuit/exchange, for which I have submitted an Email query to IDNet, so I'll wait on this.

Cheers for now,

Ian.

[Ted]

Hello Ted,

Many thanks for your comments and pointers to possible ways forward. Here is information to identify the precise model of "2700HGV that I have:

Assembly No.  4201-003003-006
Hardware Ver. 2701-100588-005
Software Ver. 4.25.33
Key Code (which I have not changed) 528Y-27G4-A222-22BJ-B22V

The arrangement of labels is exactly like the left hand picture in the section entitled "Identifying BT2700HGV Model" in the link you provided. In the absence of two labels with SSID indications, I conclude this is a single SSID model.

I have carried out the DNS poisoning described in Rik's post above, also I have implemented the Firewall Setting changes, and Router Password setting as advocated in the setup guide by Alan Woodward. Additionally, I have enabled the wireless system, using the authentication to WPA-PSK, using the default Key. This raises a question that I would be interested in hearing views: The PSK key printed on the label on the base of my unit has 10 decimal numbers. Now I presume that these are hex numbers (and it just so happens that mine are all less than "a") and the 10 digits correspond to a 64-bit encryption. Is the system capable of implementing 128-bit encryption if 26 hex digits are entered?

I had hoped to report on the first few days operation, but I think there has been a problem with my local circuit/exchange, for which I have submitted an Email query to IDNet, so I'll wait on this.

Cheers for now,

Ian.

Hi Ian
Looks like you do have a single ssid model.

The answer to the 128-bit encryption is yes.

Quote from the manual "2. To use the encryption key that came with your gateway, click the Use default encryption key radio button.
To create a custom encryption key, click the Use custom encryption key radio button.
If you select Use custom encryption key, you can define a 64-bit or 128-bit encryption key. For 64-bit
encryption, enter a 10-digit hexadecimal number. For 128-bit encryption, enter a 26-digit hexadecimal
number. A hexadecimal number uses the characters 0-9, a-f, or A-F.
3. Click SAVE."

Here is a link to the 2700HGV MANUAL

Let us know how you get on.

Ted

[LesD]

A couple of things are puzzling me now Ted.

The first was this that you said way back in post no. 9:

2, You can flash it with the Singtel firmware, works well, i have tried it  (also works fine on the Dual ssid model.

I understood that you could only use the SBC s/w in the Single SSID model.
So what's the Singtel firmware that also works fine on the Dual SSID model?

The second is this:

My 2700 has both the Phone 1 & Phone 2 labels/LED's on the front as you would expect but my Hardware Version is 2701-100588-005 just like Ian's. See the copy and paste from the System Summary from my running online 2700 below:

System Summary
System
Model: BT2700HGV
Serial Number: Blanked Out
MAC Address: --:--:--:--:--:--
Hardware Version: 2701-100588-005
Hardware Options: Wireless present
DSL Modem Type: ADSL
Current Software: 5.29.107.19 
DSL Modem: 7.2.2


Printed on the underneath of the case I can see the same number that Ian states 4201-003003-006 but it does not state the SSID type anywhere that I can see.

So have I got a Single and not a Dual despite the two Phone labels on the front or has Ian got a Dual and not a Single?  The only difference that I can spot is that I have different software, BT's 5.29.107.19 but that cannot make the difference surely it has to be hardware?

Since my label on the underside looks like the one described as on the left hand side picture in the link referred to by Ian, I am coming to the conclusion that maybe both the ones I have are in fact single SSID ones after all. What's the concensus of opinion folks?

[Rik]

You'll have two phone lights whether it's dual or single SSID, Les, the latter is to do with WiFi and BT Fusion.

[Ted]

If the hardware version is 2701-100588-005 and the assembly number is 4201-003003-006 with a single WEP code then you have a single ssid router. The two lights on the front have nothing to do with it being a dual ssid (as Rik said)

The singtel firmware will work on this router, i had it on mine for a while but now have the SBC firmware installed.

I have
4201-003003-006
2701-100588-005
First four numbers of the serial are 4806
Single ssid
Running SBC FW 4.25.19
Keycode  522P-22P4-6262-22AT-F2NV

The original firmware was 4.25.33

[Sebby]

The Singtel firmware is a different firmware from a US ISP that works on both.

To tell if you have a dual SSID model, have a look on the local network page. If you see a BT Fusion SSID in addition to the BTBusinessHub one, it's dual SSID.

[Ted]

The Singtel firmware is a different firmware from a US ISP that works on both.

The SBC fw is from U.S.  Now taken over by AT&T
The Singtel fw is Singapore Telecom 

Good tip with the wireless page

[Sebby]

That's right - SBC is US and Singtel is Singapore.

[LesD]

That's it sorted beyond doubt, I have a pair of single SSID models but with the BT 5.29.107.19  fw. 
For my needs and purposes this fw is working fine. The DNS is poisioned in line with all the advice so what is the incentive to change it? 

[Sebby]

I don't think there is a reason, Les. If it works well, I wouldn't bother risking a change.

[Danni]

Can I make you all jealous and say I managed to configure mine for IDNet just by going through the wizard?

[Simon]

Same here, Danni. 

[David]

Just a warm welcome Iankathy...... as you will ddiscover Im a man of few words and dont use this forum very much...    

[Ted]

Guess i'm just the curious kind
It's interesting to see how the different firmwares perform against each other.
There is always some risk when flashing any firmware, i've done loads over the years, mobos and  routers. Never had a problem and to be honest the 2700 is getting really cheap on Ebay. (i have some spare ones)

[LesD]

Guess i'm just the curious kind
It's interesting to see how the different firmwares perform against each other.
There is always some risk when flashing any firmware, i've done loads over the years, mobos and  routers. Never had a problem and to be honest the 2700 is getting really cheap on Ebay. (i have some spare ones)

I was thinking along those lines Ted when I posed the question about the incentive to try another firmware.
Having the two routers I would only be trying out alternatives on one of them.
Is the BT 5.29.107.19 firmware available somewhere to go back to if I should so wish?

There is something gnawing away in the back of my mind that I read somewhere that one firmware update disable the wireless option but I may have this wrong. I have read so much here, on the scream and elsewhere that I forget the half of it. 

[Ted]

I have to say i know what you mean Les, i'm going into 2wire overload

As far as i'm aware the wireless isn't disabled in any of the Firmwares. On the contrary the output is boosted on both SBC and Singtel Firmwares. You may be thinking of Voip, which doesn't work with the SBC FW.

I believe that FW 5.29.107.12 is available for reverting to BT FW but i'd have to confirm that.

[kinmel]

I believe that FW 5.29.107.12 is available for reverting to BT FW but i'd have to confirm that.

The highest BT  firmware available for reverting is 5.29.107.12 and you can download it from my site here

[LesD]

The highest BT  firmware available for reverting is 5.29.107.12 and you can download it from my site here

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the link to your site.

I have just re-checked mine and it is 19. This is a copy and pasted form the Simmary page:

Current Software: 5.29.107.19

So I guess this means I cannot get back to this version!

[LesD]

Hi Ian,

You can probably write one for yourself by now  but seeing the title of your thread was the catalyst for me to write down what I did to set up my Single SSID 2Wire 2700HVG's.

At post no. 35 is my contribution the the thread Rik started here:

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=5295.msg197903#msg197903

[iankathy]

Dear All,

When I last contributed to this thread (mid-June), I indicated that I would report later on my installation and performance of a 2700HGV (single SSID) modem/router. To be brief, progress has been disappointing, and it is fair to say that my former modem has given me superior long term throughput than what I have achieved so far with this device.

To summarise, I went along the 2700HGV route on the basis of having read several reports that this device performed particularly well on long lines - my line has a reported loss of 61.5 dB. For example, on 05 June, Roger P in reply #18 to the thread "Outage" reports a DSL rate of 2272 Kbit/s on a line having attenuation of 61.2 dB; similarly, johnny5 in reply #27 to the thread "Leaving BT" reports a DSL rate of 2624 Kbit/s on a line having a loss of 62.0 dB. Today I am able to report (using the BT Speedtester) a DSL rate of 1056 Kbit/s, and a IP Profile of 750 Kbit/s, with a throughput of 671 Kbit/s!!! My modem router has been powered up for over 5 days, and the log does not report a single loss of signal or re-connection.

The reason for the passage of time since my last contribution is that I have been in frequent contact with the IDNet help team, and, on their suggestion I have been in contact with BT directly. The IDNet team have had my line tested by BT on more than one occasion, and they have not identified any abnormality. Similarly, BT have reported to me that they tested my line on two occasions, and that did not throw up any concern. I have also used the BT "Quiet Line Test", and I have not been able to discern any white or impulsive noise.

I have implemented a number of changes to my own  home circuit - largely on the basis of recommendations in this forum:
1. I purchased and installed an ADSL adaptor on to the lower half of my master socket.
2. I made provision for mains power in the vicinity of the master socket, so that the modem/router could be permanently located there. (My previous modem/router only had Ethernet connections, so had to be located close to my computing equipment - it was connected to an extension socket (all ring wires removed), and still managed to out-perform the 2700HGV!).
3. The most recent change was to use a length of screened cable to feed the modem from the ADSL socket on the lower half of my new ADSL adaptor - the 5 days I refer to above is since the fitting of this cable.

I can confirm that I have implemented the DNS poisoning procedure described by Rik. I have also implemented the steps recommended in the note by Alan Woodward. I am still using the firmware supplied with my 2700HGV (4.25.33), and have not so far been tempted into using either the Sigtel or SBC firmware.

I have noticed numerous entries to two of the Logs maintained by the machine:
1. Troubleshooting - Event Log
Something like 150 entries per hour of the type:

fw,fwmon : src=91.144.x.x dst 91.135..3.114 ipprot=6
Sport=2628 dport=2967 Unknown inbound session stopped

fw,fwmon : src=24.64.x.x dst=91.135.3.114 ipport=17
Sport=13640 dport=1028 UDP Port Scan detected

(the x.x above replaces part of the IP address that varies from appearance to appearance, the other parts seem to be fixed)

2. Advanced - Detailed Log:
httpc_poll_dispatch - Connection timed out

This entry occurs hundreds of times throughout a 24 hour period!

Finally, I am sorry that my observations have led to such a long note, but I hope that something might ring a few bells with someone, and point to a precaution I ought to have taken, or indeed, point to an oversight on my part. At the moment I am seriously considering placing my old modem router adjacent to my master socket, and running a long Ethernet cable for a few days!

Many thanks in advance for any further suggestions.

Ian.

[Sebby]

I'm sorry that you've been disappointed with this router. An incorrect profile suggests instability, but you say the router hasn't lost sync (though the reporting is a bit odd on 2700s).

I can only think that you may have a local noise source. A de-tuned AM radio may help you locate it. Otherwise, you've really tried everything.

What sort of sync did you achieve with your last router, out of interest?

[kinmel]

You seem to have covered all the usual bases.

I assume your SNR is 6dB, but for some reason your 2700 doesn't suit your phone line and is probably best abandoned  

Using any of 3 Dual SSID 2700s; on my line currently I get 4288+ sync for an attenuation of 60.1 at 6dB SNR, while other makes of router get about 3000 sync on this line.

The Singtel firmware will definitely perform worse, it targets a SNR of 8dB.

The Log is merely reporting firewall monitoring events and is normal.

[LesD]

1. Troubleshooting - Event Log
Something like 150 entries per hour of the type:

fw,fwmon : src=91.144.x.x dst 91.135..3.114 ipprot=6
Sport=2628 dport=2967 Unknown inbound session stopped

fw,fwmon : src=24.64.x.x dst=91.135.3.114 ipport=17
Sport=13640 dport=1028 UDP Port Scan detected

(the x.x above replaces part of the IP address that varies from appearance to appearance, the other parts seem to be fixed)

2. Advanced - Detailed Log:
httpc_poll_dispatch - Connection timed out

This entry occurs hundreds of times throughout a 24 hour period!

Just like you and explained by Alan I get entries galore of this form in my Event Log:

INF  2008-07-03T20:50:45+01:00  fw,fwmon:  src=91.124.xx.xx dst=91.135.aa.bb ipprot=6 sport=3697 dport=135 Unknown inbound session stopped
INF  2008-07-03T21:07:28+01:00  fw,fwmon:  src=91.124.yy.yy dst=91.135.aa.bbipprot=6 sport=2398 dport=135 Unknown inbound session stopped

and an equal multitude of these in the Detailed Log

WRN  2008-07-03T16:50:04+01:00  cwmd:  httpc_poll_dispatch - Connection timed out
WRN  2008-07-03T16:50:04+01:00  cwmd:  session failed...
INF  2008-07-03T16:50:04+01:00  cwmd:  session will be retried in 284564(ms)
INF  2008-07-03T16:55:04+01:00  cwmd:  retried session started, server: 'https://cwmp.cms.smehomehubrms.bt.com', event code(s): '0 BOOTSTRAP'
WRN  2008-07-03T16:56:04+01:00  cwmd:  httpc_poll_dispatch - Connection timed out
WRN  2008-07-03T16:56:04+01:00  cwmd:  session failed...

Initially I was concerned about the ever increasing number of such entries especially reading about the 12 day/300 hour reboot issue with the SBC software. I have a single SSID 2700 with BT Current Software: 5.29.107.19 and although I do see occasional re-synchs and even rarer reboots I have just had a reboot between Noon and 1 PM today. This was after 30 days plus since the last one.

Like you I read that 2Wire 2700's did give better results on poorer lines and for me I did see a 500 kbps improvement in my IP Profile over what I had with my Netgear DG834 (mk1). I also read that this was not always the case but at the price I got mine for on eBay I felt it was worth a try.

I am sorry that it does not appear to have worked out for you.

One other thing the good folks on this forum helped me sort out early on was an electrically noisy PSU in my very PC that actually caused my Netgear router to drop the ADSL line as the PC booted up! This was a new one from Micro Direct just before last Christmas. I now have a much more expensive Tagan one that is doing the job very nicely thanks to a nudge in the right direction from Rik!

The AM transistor radio out of tune on the Medium Wave helped me to track it down and also to show me the interference any number of my "Wall Wart/Soap on a Rope" PSU were generating so I have made sure that these are physically as far away from my router as I can sensibly get them.

I hope things improve for you! It is just a pity that after all you efforts have not been rewarded with success.