Draytek Vigor 110 on 21CN ADSL 2+

Dangerjunkie · May 28, 2009, 02:26:31

Hi,

I have a DrayTek Vigor 110 and BT have just upgraded my exchange to 21CN. I called my support who said they can have me switched to ADSL 2+ on 21CN in about a week.

They asked me which modem I had and when I said a Vigor 110 they said they'd had a number of problems with DrayTek (and Linksys) routers, particularly the 2820 not working on 21CN ADSL 2+. They advised me to seek the latest 110 firmware before contemplating an upgrade to 2+. I can't find a firmware update for the 110 on the DrayTek download section (only for the 100 and 120)

I use my Vigor 110 with a dedicated firewall which shouldn't be behind NAT so changing to a modem-router isn't an option if this goes badly. Is there a beta firmware version available for the 110 hidden somewhere that anyone knows of? Does anyone have a 110 that works well on 2+? I'm particularly interested in the experiences of anyone in Farnborough 01252. Should I buy a new 120 or an used 100 and upgrade it? Can anyone recommend a known-working Ethernet modem that will pass my raw connection onto my firewall?

I understand that not all 21CN exchanges are created equal (I believe the ADSL equipment comes from different manufacturers at different ones) and that DrayTek users on some exchanges have problems and others don't. I live near a major street cabinet and I'm always seeing Openreach engineers there I can ask about what is at the exchange. Does anyone know which exchange equipment works well and which which maker's gear is likely to cause me a problem?

Is there anyone here in Farnborough 01252 who has 21CN ADSL 2+ and would let me bring my modem round and put their login into it to see if it works please? (will bring beer

)

Another question... I have a sync of about 5000 ATM. From graphs I've seen the difference between ADSL 2 and 2+ speeds isn't that great until you hit a certain sync. I'm wondering if the risk is worth it. If I've got a 5000 sync how much difference am I likely to see if I upgrade?

Thanks,
Paul.

Glenn · May 28, 2009, 06:13:15

Paul, put your details in here, it will give you an indication of what you could expect http://212.23.23.177/ADSL/default.aspx

Rik · May 28, 2009, 09:05:36

Hi Paul

Very few people have actually moved to WBC yet, so we're all on a steep learning curve. BT don't seem willing to give details of what equipment is in use where, so as end users we seem to be faced with a 'suck it and see' situation.

Sebby · May 28, 2009, 09:12:30

Quote from: Dangerjunkie on May 28, 2009, 02:26:31
I use my Vigor 110 with a dedicated firewall which shouldn't be behind NAT so changing to a modem-router isn't an option if this goes badly. Is there a beta firmware version available for the 110 hidden somewhere that anyone knows of? Does anyone have a 110 that works well on 2+? I'm particularly interested in the experiences of anyone in Farnborough 01252. Should I buy a new 120 or an used 100 and upgrade it? Can anyone recommend a known-working Ethernet modem that will pass my raw connection onto my firewall?

I think the 110 uses the same firmware as the 100.

Simon_idnet · May 28, 2009, 10:15:22

Quote from: Dangerjunkie on May 28, 2009, 02:26:31

Is there anyone here in Farnborough 01252 who has 21CN ADSL 2+ and would let me bring my modem round and put their login into it to see if it works please? (will bring beer )

Hi Paul

A single Exchange might have MSAN equipment from more that one manufacturer.

regards
Simon

Dangerjunkie · May 28, 2009, 23:09:14

Hi,

Thanks guys.

I suffered an unexplained ADSL snafu yesterday that knocked my sync down from 5000 to 2200. Only found out when I called technical support from work to talk about ADSL 2+. I rebooted the modem when I got home (still had a 3500 profile) but during the night I got locked down into 1750 profile hell even though I've had a 5088 sync since I rebooted. Waiting for it to clear now.

As soon as I get back to normal I'll get the stats and try that website

Thanks again,
Paul.

Ross · May 29, 2009, 10:06:44

I will also have this issue shortly. We have 3 lines at our office that will all be migrating to 21CN soon.

We run 2x Draytek 2950's with Vigor 100 modems and 1x 2820N for our VoIP services.

No idea what the sync speeds will be like once migrated, although I do have a couple of spare Linksys AM200 modems which work well with a Be Inernet adsl2+ line that we also have here.

Will report back.

Rik · May 29, 2009, 10:07:48

Thanks, Ross, we'll all be on a learning curve with this, so the more information we can pool the better.

Tacitus · May 29, 2009, 10:39:56

Quote from: Simon_idnet on May 28, 2009, 10:15:22
A single Exchange might have MSAN equipment from more that one manufacturer.

Oh what fun this is going to be

Is there any way you can relate a particular make of MSAN to a particular router? Otherwise one person may have difficulties with (say) a Draytek, but another Draytek user may be connected to a different make of MSAN and have no problems whatever.

Like trying to nail fog.

Rik · May 29, 2009, 10:45:16

I know, Tac, that's why we've created the WBC sticky to try and concentrate issues in one place. With BT being unwilling to say what MSANs people are going to be connected to, it has the potential for mayhem next week, when people start moving across in large numbers.

Tacitus · May 29, 2009, 10:49:27

Quote from: Rik on May 29, 2009, 10:45:16
I know, Tac, that's why we've created the WBC sticky to try and concentrate issues in one place. With BT being unwilling to say what MSANs people are going to be connected to, it has the potential for mayhem next week, when people start moving across in large numbers.

I agree Rik and I can see why you've created the sticky, but my point is that one person's experience may not rule out another with an identical modem having an entirely different one. IOW the only way for anyone to find out is to try it. If you hit a dud combination then you're £50 or so down for a Netgear.

The only alternative would be for iDNet to swap connections around to see if they can get one with a different MSAN if this is possible. Either way I don't envy the guys and gal at iDNet over the next few months.

Rik · May 29, 2009, 10:54:42

That's the big problem, Tac. The fact that one person can't connect doesn't mean everyone with that model of router won't, but equally, a successful connection doesn't guarantee that the same router will work for others. I can only describe the situation as a total mess, but one which will probably boost the sale of Netgears.

Swapping connections is not going to be practical, as it may just mean another MSAN of the same make, given BT's attitude. I think we'll be seeing lots of posts and lots of calls to IDNet as, once again, BT wreak havoc on ISPs.

Tacitus · May 29, 2009, 11:12:12

Quote from: Rik on May 29, 2009, 10:54:42
That's the big problem, Tac. The fact that one person can't connect doesn't mean everyone with that model of router won't, but equally, a successful connection doesn't guarantee that the same router will work for others......

As sis was thinking of changing I contacted Zyxel to see if any new firmware is coming down the track. Deathly silence so far, which may be a harbinger of things to come.

Zyxel support used to be very good but I think they are more concentrated on their high end firewalls and corporate stuff. Draytek were always helpful with suggestions of different firmware I could try from their international site.

Rik · May 29, 2009, 11:13:10

They may, of course, be struggling to get information from BT on the nature of the problem...

Gary · May 29, 2009, 11:18:28

I cannot belive BT have done this, Rik. Keeping things consistent across the board would have been so simple, they even suggest som of the Chinese equipment could compromise the phone networks security, the whole thing is ridiculous and should really be looked into by someone to see how this cock up was made

People with decent equipment they are familiar with could loose out and the move may become very expensive, tbh I'm quiet glad at this point I cant move

Rik · May 29, 2009, 11:56:48

I can't believe it either, Gary, it's not as if this was cutting edge, BT are merely catching up with LLU operators.

Sebby · May 29, 2009, 13:47:53

Who, incidentally, don't seem to suffer with router incompatibilities.

Rik · May 29, 2009, 14:36:51

They probably know what MSANs they're using, Seb.

Tacitus · May 29, 2009, 15:53:40

I've just had the stock response from Zyxel:

QuotePlease download and update firmwares from ftp.zyxel.co.uk
The router in question is ADSL 2+ compataible.

Needless to say the router already has the latest firmware. Maybe Zyxel are in the dark and waiting for it to hit. Until enough people start getting problems and follow it up with logs, perhaps there's not a lot they can do.

Welcome to the world of the lab rat

Rik · May 29, 2009, 15:55:04

It was ever thus, Tac. They need field testers to cover all the possibilities. It's one thing with software, quite another with hardware. Both sides, of course, will blame the other.

willgoat · Dec 30, 2009, 14:40:44

It has been a while since the last mentionof this. Anyone got an firmware update for this modem? I am still using my spare tenda, hoping to have a solution for the ADSL2+ issue with vigor 110?

Rik · Dec 30, 2009, 14:59:28

Sorry, I haven't heard anything more on this issue.