Can I Buy my Own Hub?

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by parkinsj

Before reading all the negative posts about the super hub I thought this was what I needed as I was having problems connecting to the internet and thought there was a problem with my belkin Router, also thought it would be good not to have so many cables and need so many sockets. The first time I phoned 150 I was told I could get a hub for £20, the second time they said £75 plus £20 per month, this is not an option for me so my question is Can I purchase my own hub from somewhere else and will it work or do Virgin Media give you routers?

TH is asking for your modem stats (http:\\192.168.100.1) because of the first sentence in your initial post. The stats might indicate an issue either with the modem or with the circuit - for example if the upstream was maxing out at 61 dBmv power or thereabouts.

Addressing your second point about tider cables, etc, the SH is a reasonable device up to the point where you expect wireless to work well. As a wired router only, with firewall and Wireless switched off, it has the legs and stability to serve your wired devices. If you want to use wireless, that's where the problems begin; not always - but sufficient to fill huge chunks of this forum!

So my advice to you is in any case migrate to a SH but in modem mode with your own router attached. Wires don't matter anywhere near as much as does a decent internet experience.

But we can come back to that after we've seen your modem stats in order to to assess external conditions.

Cheers

[parkinsj]

Firstly I did not want to purchase a VM Hub from Ebay. I wanted to buy another Hub.
Secondly according to my VM account I have just been upgraded to 20MB but have not noticed any difference. Here is the information you asked for: NTL Modem Model E08C007. Belkin Router Model F5D7230-4, Version 7001 uk. Regarding 192.168.100.1 you will have to give me more info on how to do this, did put the number in my browser and just brought up thousands of related issues on the internet, what am I looking for?
My internet access is working at the moment but never confident I will be able to connect.

[Kushan]

http://192.168.100.1 Click that link to go to the modem configuration page. Your modem is an ambit 256 I believe, so 20Mbit will be fine on it.

[Sephiroth]

You stick 192.168.100.1 in the URL box of your browser. then you can follow the modem menu and copy/paste your stats into your reply.

[thenry]

Originally Posted by parkinsj

Firstly I did not want to purchase a VM Hub from Ebay. I wanted to buy another Hub.

VM will only activate equipment they supply.

Originally Posted by parkinsj

Secondly according to my VM account I have just been upgraded to 20MB but have not noticed any difference.

have you got a message in MyVirginMedia that offers a SuperHub? it was said on here by VM staff or on the Virgin Media forum that 10meg will go to 30meg eventually. you could call in and ask. they might put you on a new 12month contract.

how much you paying right now and for what?

Originally Posted by parkinsj

Here is the information you asked for: NTL Modem Model E08C007.

that will only be configured for 20meg so youll need a SuperHub for 30meg.

Originally Posted by parkinsj

Belkin Router Model F5D7230-4
, Version 7001 uk.

that range has common faults of dropping the connection. it also has lifetime product warrantee. get intouch with Belkin, they should replace it for you. use the Belkin UK support site.

Originally Posted by parkinsj

Regarding 192.168.100.1 you will have to give me more info on how to do this, did put the number in my browser and just brought up thousands of related issues on the internet, what am I looking for?
My internet access is working at the moment but never confident I will be able to connect.

already answered by Seph and Kushan above

[parkinsj]

Cable Modem Downstream
Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 4
Downstream Frequency : 586750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM64
Downstream Symbol Rate : 6952 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps12Increment17
Downstream Receive Power Level : 1.8 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 36.4 dB

Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 2
Upstream Frequency : 22000000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QAM16
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 39.5 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size 2

Cable Modem Operation Configuration
Network Access : Allowed
Maximum Downstream Data Rate : 21480000
Maximum Upstream Data Rate : 1180000
Maximum Upstream Channel Burst : 8160
Maximum Number of CPEs : 1
Modem Capability : Concatenation Enabled, Fragametation Enabled, PHS Enabled

This what I came up with, does this help?

[Kushan]

That's running at 20Meg all right (Maximum Downstream Data Rate : 21480000). What do you get on www.speedtest.net? Keep in mind, doing it via wireless will not give a good result, you're best doing it connected via Ethernet to the modem or router.

[thenry]

your connection stats are good. your configured for 20meg download, 1meg upload.

have you done a direct test so modem to PC direct with no router to test speeds?

your Belkin router sucks. either get intouch with Belkin and tell them its dropping the connection (common fault) or buy a new router. you can ofcourse get a SuperHub in...

...how much you paying VM and for what? have you worked out your current deal is better than deals on the site for 30meg?

[qasdfdsaq]

QAM64 downstream channel? That means the total capacity for his whole area is just 40Mb

[thenry]

hmm..

parkinsj whats your double ETA? put this into your web browser and enter your postcode..

doublespeed.virginmedia.com

[parkinsj]

Speed test done. Modem to PC: Download 18.92 Mbps, Upload 1.13 Mbps, Ping 26ms.
As a long standing customer I am told I get a good package. Broadband, basic TV and Basic phone roughly £30 per month as long as I don't make any calls during the week.
Thanks to everyone for your help. By the way my original question was Can I buy a Hub independentlyl that would work although I think my best bet would be to get a decent router, What's a good reliable make and do I have need to buy one that is especially for cable customers?

[thenry]

depends what the router will be used for? you could get a free upgrade from Belkin as i pointed out above.

[Sephiroth]

To develop what Qasi has advised:

QAM64 modulation (6 bits/symbol) means that the infrastructure you're on is regarded by VM as somewhat noisy. That said, your SNR is adequate for that modulation.

I recall that when I first took the 50 meg service, upgraded from 20 meg, my modulation was QAM64 (it had previously been QAM256 - 8 bits/symbol). Eventually they cleared up the infrastructure, moved me onto a newer UBR and the modulation moved to 256QAM.

For a 20 meg service, VM won't give you a SH unless your current modem fails. You haven't described (from my reading) what "having problems connecting to the internet" entails. If you're getting through with the Belkin now, it most likely won't be Belkin playing up although final judgement can be reserved until you descroibe your problem in greater detail.

Sweeping statements like "your Belkin router sucks" are not helpful unless there is evidence to support that in your case. TH has asked what the ETA for your upgrade is. You've had the first upgrade; AFAIK, your circuit will end up at 30 meg and then they'll send you a SH.

So, we await your better description of the problem now that we know your modem stats are fine.

Cheers

[parkinsj]

Dont think VM give free Routers unless you upgrade then they give you the Super Hub. Just use it for surfing, and want to stream movies, email etc.

[thenry]

I take it the Belkin router is dropping the internet connection? or does your modem go down? If its the router and if you got that Belkin router from VM then call in and tell them its dying. VM don't supply stand alone routers anymore so you'll be sent standard kit which is the SuperHub, a combined modem/router.