Virgin to give new Superhub out. - Page 8

sniper007 · 18-12-2010, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyCalling

Two bugs so far in my Superhub.

E9 won't log in to change the settings. Mind you, IE9 won't log on to the VM activation server either unless you add it to the compatibility mode, despite the fact it doesn't show the normal broken page icon. IE9 is in beta, but it is close to completion so this bug may continue. I recomend you stick a copy of the portable version of the browser QtWeb in a folder somewhere as this can emulate other browsers such as Firefox in a compact form for just changing your router settings if you don't want to install a second full browser for the purpose.

The SPI firewall reacts to a UDP flood from the lan side, and on my system (Win7HPx64) with Homegroup including libraries and media shared it locks down immediately reducing everything to a crawl. Turning it off is easy with QtWeb (though slow until you've hit apply) but it shouldn't be that sensitive. The old WGR614v9 with Netgear's latest firmware works fine, and that has SPI, but I don't think it reacts to lan-side traffic. Either the Superhub's SPI needs to be way less sensitive or it needs to be wan-side only.

Those couple of work-arounds aside, it's all very good indeed. Or it would be if I'd been given the 5ghz dongle instead of the old D-Link 2.4ghz one. I'm told a replacement will be with me in a few days though.

Hi Andy, can you explain what this bug is on the SPI firewall? I am seeing logs all the time of "LAN-side UDP Flood" and then always "Illegal TCP Header". I'm not sure it causes me issues as network performance remains ok I think...how can I check if this is causing me problems?

The only other "bug" I have found so far is that this is the first router I have ever had that has not auto detected that my PS3 has a gigabit ethernet port and thinks it runs at 100mbps (light on port on the super hub stays only orange). If I set the PS3 manually from auto to Gigabit Full Duplex, the port on the super hub goes green and all is fine. Although, I can't see anywhere in the admin screens to check detailed stats on devices connected to each port yet to see speeds and throughput?

whizzard · 18-12-2010, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by pip08456

I consider that comment quite hilarious bearing in mind the amount of feedback VM had regarding users wanting to use their own routers, some of whom shelled out some serious money.

The firmware upgrade for that is "in development" and will be released sometime next year.

A very good example of a company being "on the ball"!

Perhaps the 2 firmware releases already made were due to a complete failure of "real world" testing and are a matter of quick fixes.

Obviously the priority would be the majority of the userbase, and whilst indeed from reading this and other forums it would appear that 50mb users in particular wish to use their own routers, when you consider how many active 50mb users there are reported to be (documented elsewhere on the forum), then there's probably your reasoning as to why it wasnt a "day one" feature. Comparison the amount of support to that of the VM Hub from earlier this year, which only recently got a firmware update.

pip08456 · 18-12-2010, 14:30

Yes the take-up of 50Mb was only around the 40,000 customer base (give or take a thousand or two).

My reasoning being the superhub was/is aimed predominantly at the 50Mb and 100Mb user why were their preferences taken note of before it was even released.

I can see the "normal" hub being phased out over time as the superhub is also now being used for 20Mb installs and as such would appear uneconomical just to keep it for the 10Mb tier.

To me it is a classic case of VM yet again failing to listen to their customer base and having to play catch up.

Then again VM may be giving the superhub to 20Mb customers now and planning on a SuperDooperHub for higher tiers.

whizzard · 18-12-2010, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by pip08456

Yes the take-up of 50Mb was only around the 40,000 customer base (give or take a thousand or two).

My reasoning being the superhub was/is aimed predominantly at the 50Mb and 100Mb user why were their preferences taken note of before it was even released.

I can see the "normal" hub being phased out over time as the superhub is also now being used for 20Mb installs and as such would appear uneconomical just to keep it for the 10Mb tier.

To me it is a classic case of VM yet again failing to listen to their customer base and having to play catch up.

Then again VM may be giving the superhub to 20Mb customers now and planning on a SuperDooperHub for higher tiers.

Could argue that the VM Hub was a "proof of concept" really. This year has been a product heavy year for VM what with the hubs, TiVo, new wireless adapters etc etc. Am sure the reasoning behind providing XL customers with Super Hubs will become apparent soon enough, though certainly from a network management/traffic management perspective to have everything on DOCSIS 3 will no doubt make things a lot easier.

nemesis01 · 18-12-2010, 16:06

Got mine today, had to mess about some to get it working. Firstly, the engineer could not get past the surname/postcode screen and when he rung to get it done over the phone the manchester & birmingham call centres were shut he said. So I tried to ring VM switchboard to get put through to CS for free as I only have mobile, they were shut so had to ring through normal number and will be charged a fortune for that. Got through to a guy in India as usual, took him a few minutes but he managed to get me activated.

So, then I moved the hub onto the top of my desk, connected it up and nothing, noticed the coax was loose so managed to tighten it and got it working after that. Took me another 30 minutes to figure out why I was getting sub dialup speeds, had to disable the routers firewall thing, was fine after that and has been since.

Have to say it's a really sweet looking bit of kit and I'm glad of some more advanced router options as my previous one was very basic in comparison.

pip08456 · 18-12-2010, 16:17

You seem to miss the point that "proof of concept" has nothing to do with the superhub.

If the hub was a testing platform then the testing was seriously wrong as it applied to lower tiers only and not those customers who are "high end".

It is about time that VM realised that those customers take up the higher tier (until it has been heavily discounted due to low take-up) expect euipment on a similar or higher level than that which they have paid for seperately.

You can not blame a fair number of 50Mb users who took out the "premium" service for being p****d off for being told that if they wish to upgrade to the new premium service they MUST have the superhub with the restricted configurations it offers if they like it or not.

Very good marketing strategy!

qasdfdsaq · 18-12-2010, 16:30

From what I've heard, VM have honoured some requests from customers to get rid of the hub and replace it with a standalone modem when they didn't like it, has this changed for superhubs?

pip08456 · 18-12-2010, 16:37

I don't know if it has changed or not. I can only go on anecdotal evidence which would say no but not necessarily in all cases.

Bottom line-foot in mouth comes to mind!

jb66 · 18-12-2010, 18:41

If I go to any install or service visit and they ask for an old modem instead of a hub I'll do it, keeps the customer happy and makes no difference to me

gondalio · 18-12-2010, 18:56

yeh thats same as me, most customers who have their own router setup i tend to keep it like that and just confirm with the customer what they want. I fitted my own in today and after disabling firewall and changing a few settings im getting some decent speeds and no problems so far. will test for a bit longer but if it gives me any grief im going back to my belkin router and old modem lol

sniper007 · 18-12-2010, 19:04

The guy I spoke to when he swapped out my dodgey old modem (forget which model but not an all in one and still quite new looking fancy black thing), said to me "yeah we're using these now" and pointed and showed me the new super hub. He was a nice guy actually. Should have got his name. I got the impression they were generally using them where possible for new customers and any modem swaps.

---------- Post added at 20:04 ---------- Previous post was at 20:01 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by gondalio

yeh thats same as me, most customers who have their own router setup i tend to keep it like that and just confirm with the customer what they want. I fitted my own in today and after disabling firewall and changing a few settings im getting some decent speeds and no problems so far. will test for a bit longer but if it gives me any grief im going back to my belkin router and old modem lol

A few people have said about disabling the firewall. I assume by this you mean unchecking the "Firewall Features" under the services menu option under advanced settings? I am getting constantly good speed and pings, and my ping test shows a line score of B+. I generally get the impression that a hardware firewall built into a router is a good thing to have so have kept it turned on. Are you guys not opening yourself up a bit running without it or does it not help much with extra security?

qasdfdsaq · 18-12-2010, 19:17

As discussed in another thread, it doesn't really help security at all.

AndyCalling · 18-12-2010, 19:31

That firewall feature is about stopping DoS attacks and the like, not really about protecting your data. Still, it should be on as it protects you from internet vandals spoiling your day. Why it responds to lan side traffic at all is unknown and probably a bug.

qasdfdsaq · 18-12-2010, 19:35

To be honest it really doesn't help against DoS attacks either. If someone's wants to DoS you there's nothing you can do about it and an SPI firewall isn't going to help. Turning off ICMP responses could help (and I don't know if that option is available on the Hub/Superhub) but that's technically nothing to do with SPI and not part of an SPI firewall's job.

sniper007 · 18-12-2010, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

As discussed in another thread, it doesn't really help security at all.

Sounds interesting, can you link me? Not being lazy just wouldn't know what to look for. Ta guys, might try running with mine off then. I'm so far liking the super hub. Having no issues at all. Wireless seems reliable too.