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Technical News & Discussion => Broadband, Internet & General Computer News & Discussion => Topic started by: stevenrw on Jan 15, 2009, 15:40:39

Title: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Jan 15, 2009, 15:40:39
According to SamKnows, my exchange is upgrading in the near future
"BT Wholesale WBC have updated the enablement date for the Purley exchange to 31/01/2009 (Was previously 28/02/2009) "

What does that mean for me in practical terms as an IDnet user (Homelite)?
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 15, 2009, 15:45:12
It means that, once IDNet's gigabit Hostlink goes live (soon), you will be able to volunteer to switch to the WBC-based service, Steve. Depending on your stats, that could mean significant speed increases. I don't know how the new packages will be priced yet, ie whether there will be a different set of packages for the up to 24Mbps connections.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Sebby on Jan 15, 2009, 19:05:31
If you post your line stats, we could give you an idea of the speeds you could potentially achieve on the new platform. :)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Jan 16, 2009, 12:19:48
Sebby
I normally just use the "Think Broadband" speed tester. Does this give you the level of detail you need?
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 16, 2009, 12:22:39
No, we need the information from your router, specifically sync speed, attenuation and noise margin. :)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Jan 16, 2009, 12:58:44
OK, can you give me a link to the speed tester you'd use?
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 16, 2009, 13:02:51
I rarely bother with a speed test, Steven. If I do, I use the BT one: http://test.speedtester.bt.com:50301/
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: David on Jan 16, 2009, 13:09:10
QuoteIt means that, once IDNet's gigabit Hostlink goes live (soon), you will be able to volunteer to switch to the WBC-based service, Steve. Depending on your stats, that could mean significant speed increases. I don't know how the new packages will be priced yet, ie whether there will be a different set of packages for the up to 24Mbps connections.

My Exchange is showing the same message  :-\
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 16, 2009, 13:10:12
Get your name down as a volunteer, David.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: David on Jan 16, 2009, 13:11:17
With Who ? Idnet ?
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Simon on Jan 16, 2009, 13:13:38
Yes.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: David on Jan 16, 2009, 13:16:27
 :thnks: I will get my name down...as you know I suffer with such low speeds  :whistle: :whistle: ;D
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Sebby on Jan 16, 2009, 14:18:22
Remember you're going from a BT service to a BT service, so don't get your hopes up. :P
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: David on Jan 16, 2009, 14:47:19
No chance of this Sebby,as I dont expect anything Im happy with my meagre 5.4 down and 4.1 up  ;)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 16, 2009, 14:49:27
Meagre!  ::)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Jan 16, 2009, 14:52:44
Yeah, I'd be delighted with 5.4 down, that'd be a big improvement on my 3.2....
As you suggest, I won't get my hopes up.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 16, 2009, 14:55:14
At 3.2, Steven, you're reaching that point on the graph where the two speeds merge.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: David on Jan 16, 2009, 14:58:42
Dont all feel sorry for me at once now.......I hate sympathy  ;D
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 16, 2009, 14:59:27
We weren't going to, David. ;)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: David on Jan 16, 2009, 15:03:06
 :rofl: :lol:
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Jan 16, 2009, 15:06:37
Quote from: Rik on Jan 16, 2009, 14:55:14
At 3.2, Steven, you're reaching that point on the graph where the two speeds merge.

Which means???
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 16, 2009, 15:08:03
You'll get a small speed gain, but you certainly won't get 24Mbps. I can give you a more accurate prediction if you can post your stats.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Jan 16, 2009, 16:02:29
OK Rik, I'm at work at the moment - I'll run the BT thingy this evening and let you know.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 16, 2009, 16:04:57
You don't need to run the BT test, Steven, your router has the data we need.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Jan 16, 2009, 17:49:07
Can you talk me through how I get the data you need from the router please?
You are starting to realise I'm not very savvy at this stuff..
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 16, 2009, 17:50:32
What router do you have?
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: David on Jan 16, 2009, 17:50:45
Now this will Coruscate throughout the forum thats for sure... ;) well it will for some of us  ;D
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 16, 2009, 17:54:47
 ;D

Pushing that one, David. ;)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: David on Jan 16, 2009, 17:56:39
Just scraped it though  ;)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Jan 16, 2009, 18:51:45
I have the Netgear DG834G
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Sebby on Jan 16, 2009, 23:07:02
Type 192.168.0.1 in your web browser and the username is admin and password is password, I think. At the bottom of the main page, there is a button that says connection details. A new window will open - let us have the contents. :)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Jan 17, 2009, 11:04:38
Right, details as follows:

Connection status:
Router Status
   
Account Name 
Firmware Version  V4.01.06 
   
ADSL Port 
MAC Address  00:18:4d:c4:48:fb
IP Address  <personal details removed - Rik>
Network Type  PPPoA
IP Subnet Mask  255.255.255.255
Gateway IP Address 212.69.63.51
Domain Name Server  212.69.36.3
212.69.40.3
   
LAN Port
MAC Address  00:18:4d:c4:48:fa
IP Address  192.168.0.1
DHCP  On
IP Subnet Mask  255.255.255.0
   
Modem 
ADSL Firmware Version 6.01.00.12
Modem Status Connected
DownStream Connection Speed 3776 kbps
UpStream Connection Speed 448 kbps
VPI 0
VCI 38
   
Wireless Port 
Name (SSID) NETGEAR
Region Europe
Channel 11
Wireless AP Enabled
Broadcast Name Enabled

Under "Show statistics":

System Up Time 208:50:17
Port Status TxPkts RxPkts Collisions Tx B/s Rx B/s Up Time
WAN PPPoA 1149115 1637762 0 650 2223 208:49:31
LAN 10M/100M 519859 393419 0 549 292 208:50:13
WLAN 11M/54M 1074275 882168 0 1733 422 208:50:04


ADSL Link Downstream Upstream
Connection Speed 3776 kbps 448 kbps
Line Attenuation 38 db 10.5 db
Noise Margin 4 db 21 db

This last stuff was in tabular form, but I've copied and pasted it as best I can.
Hope this is what you need.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 17, 2009, 11:13:42
Hi Steven

I've removed your IP address from the post.

The info we need is this bit:

QuoteADSL Link Downstream Upstream
Connection Speed 3776 kbps 448 kbps
Line Attenuation 38 db 10.5 db
Noise Margin 4 db 21 db

You're likely to get about 10Mbps on WBC with those stats. I am troubled, though, by your d/s noise margin, which is low. You may benefit by changing or improving your internal phone wiring.

Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Sebby on Jan 17, 2009, 12:35:15
Quote from: Rik on Jan 17, 2009, 11:13:42
I am troubled, though, by your d/s noise margin, which is low. You may benefit by changing or improving your internal phone wiring.

But it is a Netgear, if if it's a v3 or earlier, this is to be expected.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 17, 2009, 12:37:54
True enough. :)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Jan 17, 2009, 15:43:34
There is still an IP address showing - should this be deleted also?

10 would be a great improvement.
As you suggest, I will not hold my breath however...
Would upgrading to a later Netgear router pay dividends?
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 17, 2009, 15:52:30
Do you mean the 192.168 one? That's internal, so no risk.

A later Netgear might help, or you could try a 2-Wire 2700, which many of us have found excellent on longer or noise-prone lines.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Jan 30, 2009, 15:41:41
How about one of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2Wire-2701HG-ADSL2-Modem-HyperG-Wireless-Router-NEW_W0QQitemZ250362522307QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Networking_SM?hash=item250362522307&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
- is this the later version of the 2700?
Any probs with the 2wire units? I'd never heard of them. I'm looking to wire the main desktop with a wireless network for lappys elsewhere in the house.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 30, 2009, 15:44:10
It's a different version to the BT ones, so I'm not sure.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Simon on Jan 30, 2009, 17:03:39
That 2701 looks quite nice.  I wonder if it's worth a punt, at the right price?
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Simon on Jan 30, 2009, 17:06:03
Says in another auction for the same:

"ADSL Device configured for AT&T DSL services"
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 30, 2009, 17:12:47
Which worries me slightly.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: bridgej on Jan 30, 2009, 17:34:56
These are the figures from my Netgear DG834G v4 Router stats page. Does anyone know what sort of speed I'm likely to get from the new ADSL2+ service or won't it be worth getting excited about :-\?

ADSL Link                  Downstream      Upstream
Connection Speed    3392 kbps            448 kbps
Line Attenuation                51.0 db            28.0 db
Noise Margin                  5.8 db            18.0 db
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Simon on Jan 30, 2009, 17:36:18
Quote from: Rik on Jan 30, 2009, 17:12:47
Which worries me slightly.

Yes, and the BT ones are configured for BT services, but that didn't stop us!  ;D
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Jan 30, 2009, 17:44:20
You should get about 5M sync, Bridge, with a throughput around 4.5M.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Niall on Feb 07, 2009, 13:28:16
For some reason Samknows says there is no date for 21cn at my exchange when there is/was when I last checked. Strange.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Feb 07, 2009, 13:30:43
BT have put a lot of dates back, Niall, and removed some altogether.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Niall on Feb 07, 2009, 13:48:44
Meh, well I'm not really bothered. As long as my internet I have now, continues to function correctly, I'll be a happy bunny.

Which reminds me, I need a battery for my mothers PC as the cmos keeps resetting :D I didn't realise that certain programs don't work if the date is set incorrectly, msn messenger for one.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Sebby on Feb 07, 2009, 14:19:13
Yep, there are a few, Niall. Windows updates the time automatically, but only every so often.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Feb 11, 2009, 08:48:39
After your recommendations I started looking for 2wire 2700 routers. Can anybody tell me if there is any significance in the HGV suffix. I'm considering this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-2Wire-2700HGV-BT-Business-Hub-UNLOCKED_W0QQitemZ190280433990QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Networking_SM?hash=item190280433990&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Any views/concerns anybody?
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: uxbod on Feb 11, 2009, 08:52:54
If its a HGV you may require a different license :whistle:
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Ted on Feb 11, 2009, 09:05:02
Quote from: stevenrw on Feb 11, 2009, 08:48:39
After your recommendations I started looking for 2wire 2700 routers. Can anybody tell me if there is any significance in the HGV suffix. I'm considering this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-2Wire-2700HGV-BT-Business-Hub-UNLOCKED_W0QQitemZ190280433990QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Networking_SM?hash=item190280433990&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Any views/concerns anybody?

G=wireless-G, V=Voip. That Hub has been flashed with the Singtel Firmware and is a little expensive, you should be looking at around £15 for a brand new, sealed unit.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: kinmel on Feb 11, 2009, 09:09:30
Quote from: stevenrw on Feb 11, 2009, 08:48:39
After your recommendations I started looking for 2wire 2700 routers. Can anybody tell me if there is any significance in the HGV suffix. I'm considering this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-2Wire-2700HGV-BT-Business-Hub-UNLOCKED_W0QQitemZ190280433990QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Networking_SM?hash=item190280433990&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Any views/concerns anybody?

Why has the idiot put the Singtel firmware on it, with that version the SNR sets to 8 and not 6 and the router takes a performance hit !

You could change the firmware again, but not to the latest versions.

As Ted says it is far too dear.

Also search for " Business Hub" in Ebay

Other than that it will work just fine.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Feb 11, 2009, 09:29:52
The V means that it supports two phone for VOIP.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Simon on Feb 11, 2009, 09:58:32
I could be wrong, but I'd always assumed HGV signified that it was the later, twin SSID version.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Ted on Feb 11, 2009, 10:35:34
Quote from: Simon on Feb 11, 2009, 09:58:32
I could be wrong, but I'd always assumed HGV signified that it was the later, twin SSID version.

Both single and dual ssid versions are designated "HGV" 
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Simon on Feb 11, 2009, 11:49:54
I was right then, I was wrong.  ;D
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Feb 11, 2009, 11:51:43
So two wrongs do make a right. ;D
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Ted on Feb 11, 2009, 11:55:48
Quote from: Rik on Feb 11, 2009, 11:51:43
So two wrongs do make a right. ;D

Right! ;D
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Feb 11, 2009, 11:57:39
Are you sure, Ted. ;D
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Simon on Feb 11, 2009, 12:07:39
Looks all right to me.  :)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Feb 11, 2009, 12:14:02
:grn:
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Sebby on Feb 11, 2009, 13:37:18
Quote from: Simon on Feb 11, 2009, 11:49:54
I was right then, I was wrong.  ;D

:rofl: :karma:

Love that one. ;D
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Simon on Feb 11, 2009, 16:49:16
Thanks, Seb.  :)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Feb 12, 2009, 07:22:24
In looking around on EBay most of the BT business hubs (2700HGV) do not state "Unlocked" - is it possible for a dummy like me to configure such an "unlocked" hub to work with IDnet both wired (for the main machine) and wirelessly for the rest of the house?
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Glenn on Feb 12, 2009, 07:32:10
Yes Steve, even you can do it, just follow the guide here (http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=8927.0)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Feb 12, 2009, 08:37:29
Thanks for such a prompt response Glenn - just one more question however.
The link goes to options for Single SSID and Dual SSID.
I don't know what SSID is so I dunno how many of them I've got!
Can you explain in baby language please?
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Steve on Feb 12, 2009, 08:54:10
SSID = Service Set IDentifier. The single version has one wireless port like a conventional router, the dual has two wireless ports the second one is intended for a wireless broadband telephone(VOIP)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Feb 12, 2009, 09:47:13
Thanks for that Steve, understood.

However, if the router does have a VOIP port but I'm not intending to use Skype etc, can I use single SSID setup?
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Feb 12, 2009, 10:19:01
You can use either, I have both a single and dual SSID.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Lance on Feb 12, 2009, 22:57:56
the dual ssid units are just the newer ones, and the second ssid can just be disabled if you don't need it.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Sebby on Feb 13, 2009, 00:02:00
Indeed, that's what I did, Lance.
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: stevenrw on Feb 18, 2009, 09:08:40
Got meself one of them thar 2700HGV thingys. Should be getting it this week.
Stand by for requests for help!
cheers!
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Sebby on Feb 18, 2009, 12:53:55
We're ready and waiting. :)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Rik on Feb 18, 2009, 13:06:20
I'm just waiting. ;)
Title: Re: 21cn at my exchange
Post by: Sebby on Feb 18, 2009, 13:06:50
:lol: