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[I_want_an_Omega]

Hi,

I've just realised that my Home Hub 2 provided by BT is actually being used by them to provide public wifi coverage. This seems to be a bit sneaky by them IMHO.

So, I've decided not to use their router and connect my own. I have a Netgear DG834G ADSL router that should do the job.

I can then keep the BT Home Hub 2 for "insurance" purposes and play with the Netgear.

Is there anything that I need to be wary of? The Netgear was previously used on a Virgin Media broadband provided over a BT phone line. Will it actually need user ID & password before it will work. I was going to return the Netgear to factory settings and start again.

Is there any chance I could lock up the BT line by not using the Home Hub 2?

In anticipation.

Rob

[Jimbob]

there should be an option to disable it - BT FON

Personally think its not a bad idea - community sharing...its not public, its only other BT customers.

remember, by providing your FON hotspot, it enables you to use anyone elses.  iirc if you dont share, you cant use.

I guess if I had limited bandwidth, I may be worried, but with 40 meg down to play with, I dont think its an issue in a residential area.

[Jimbob]

https://www.bt.com/wifi/secure/index.do?s_cid=con_FURL_btfon

the above link opts you in or out of the service

your router home page shows your status

[aaronjb]

I guess if I had limited bandwidth, I may be worried, but with 40 meg down to play with, I dont think its an issue in a residential area.

Until someone does something unsavoury with your line and they try to pin it on you..

[Jimbob]

so the perfect defense if YOU do something naughty

although im sure it could be worked out at the BT end.  separate IP I reckon.  if I could be bothered Id connect to my FON point and see if it varied....bet it does

[aaronjb]

although im sure it could be worked out at the BT end.  separate IP I reckon.  if I could be bothered Id connect to my FON point and see if it varied....bet it does

The IP you see will vary, but I'd be willing to bet the IP at the other end doesn't and it's still your BT-supplied IP address.. unless they've suddenly shipped very expensive kit to people and changed how the BT end works..

I'd be interested to know, though - if you did it and hit up somewhere like www.whatismyip.com and see if it's different between the two.

[Jimbob]

ok....ive had plenty of routers that support several WAN IP addresses, so wont be suprised...

[Jimbob]

Right, only the 1st segment of the IP address is the same.  So totally separate to your normal one.

A speed test shows only .5 meg down, but 4 meg up.  so doesnt grab a lot

[aaronjb]

Damn. I hate being wrong 

Good to know, though, for anyone considering doing it 

Now.. where do you live so I can come and do unsavoury things on your WiFi? 

[Lazydocker]

I have very limited bandwidth but still chose to opt in

Mind you, the chances of anyone using it around me are pretty slim

[I_want_an_Omega]

Ok, swapped out.

Just changed the userid/password & it worked 1st time.

I've also disabled the wireless and just have my own wireless access points providing WiFi now.

So that's me happy 

[TheBoy]

I guess if I had limited bandwidth, I may be worried, but with 40 meg down to play with, I dont think its an issue in a residential area.

Until someone does something unsavoury with your line and they try to pin it on you..

Nope, its actually done as a VPN into another part of the network (stright into Openzone)

And to the Op, the service can be opted out of.  HH is actually a reasonable router. Not without its faults (including some corkers ( )), but good routing engines under them (unlike the NG834s).

Keep meaning to hack one I have here to work with other ISPs, then OOF may go through a HH (current Siemens routers cannot do ADSL2 )

[Vamps]

I am in it, saw no reason not to and it, in theory, lets me on line in several places though I still have my 3 dongle....

[Shelby]

Ive been using my Netgear DG834G (also originally came from Virgin) for years on every connection I have had since then, never had a problem with it.

However, do bear in mind that is probably isn't running the standard Netgear firmware (Virgin used their own) and it is locked down so you can re-flash with anything else either.  I looking into doing it some time ago and found numerous places saying it simply can't be done with the old Virgin boxes.  It's not a major problem, just limits some of the advance configuration options that you would be able to tweak with standard / modified firmware.

I would probably benefit from getting a better / newer router but until I have noticeable problems with this one ill keep using it.

[TheBoy]

Ive been using my Netgear DG834G (also originally came from Virgin) for years on every connection I have had since then, never had a problem with it.

However, do bear in mind that is probably isn't running the standard Netgear firmware (Virgin used their own) and it is locked down so you can re-flash with anything else either.  I looking into doing it some time ago and found numerous places saying it simply can't be done with the old Virgin boxes.  It's not a major problem, just limits some of the advance configuration options that you would be able to tweak with standard / modified firmware.

I would probably benefit from getting a better / newer router but until I have noticeable problems with this one ill keep using it.

You may find the VM firmware is better possibly. Netgear fix one problem, introduce 3 new ones