Billion Bipac 8200N

Hi,

I am possibly after this particular modem/router for use in conjunction with an FTTC modem. I know it has a built in VDSL2 modem but if required there is an alternative "EWAN" port for connection to a modem - could anyone tell me if this router when used with the EWAN option would be compatible with BT's Infinity service?

The only other problem I'm having is sourcing one - they don't seem to be sold anywhere Either they are new.. or discontinued

Thanks for your help

In reply to a post by ste__:

I am possibly after this particular modem/router for use in conjunction with an FTTC modem. I know it has a built in VDSL2 modem but if required there is an alternative "EWAN" port for connection to a modem - could anyone tell me if this router when used with the EWAN option would be compatible with BT's Infinity service?

WAN rather than EWAN - the WAN stands for "Wide Area Network" which is the link from your home outside.

Contrast with LAN which is Local Area Network - the wired connections from your router to your computer inside your home.

The only other problem I'm having is sourcing one - they don't seem to be sold anywhere Either they are new.. or discontinued

Are you sure you've got the model number right? The only similar one I can find is:
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?...

or

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002TOKGL8/ref=asc_df_B00...

Hi,

As jchamier said, it might be the 7800N that you're after - this has an EWAN connection, as well as the ADSL modem, so that you can connect to a VDSL modem (that I believe BT fit if you go for Infinity). As far as I can see from the Billion UK website, the 8200N would replace the modem that BT fit and therefore doesn't need an EWAN connection (it doesn't appear to have one from the datasheet on the website).

I've just bought a 7800N for that reason so that, fingers crossed, when my exchange gets FTTC enabled, I'm ready for it.

I can't comment on the 7800N yet as I'm waiting for my ISP to finish their monitoring on my line after some fault rectification work, so I can't swap routers at the moment, but I bought on the strength of all the good reviews its got.

Probably best to give Billion UK a ring and explain exactly what you need it for.

Hope this helps.

From the spec on Billion's UK site there is no extra ethernet wan port just a VDSL modem.

It would appear to be new, as it looks to have been unveiled at CeBit which was pretty recent.

Thanks,

The EWAN port also appears to be present on the 7800x series, or you can opt to use it as a normal 5th switch port according to the specs. I am tempted with the 7800 - it's specifically the VLAN functionality I am after but appears it is only for IPTV use on the 7800?

Guess I'll have to wait a bit longer :|

Ah you are quite right about there being no EWAN port - I'm sure I saw on a datasheet/manual somewhere it had a shared 5th port for either an extra switch or EWAN port.

Hrmm.. looks like it's the 7800 then.

Apologies for the confusion

According to the 8200N user manual you can use Ethernet port 4 to connect to a modem. So it will work but you'll lose a port.

With the correct settings you should be able to replace both the Infinity modem and home hub. I've read of someone who has managed it with a Draytek VDSL router, so it is certainly possible.

In reply to a post by Rockh:

From the spec on Billion's UK site there is no extra ethernet wan port just a VDSL modem.

It would appear to be new, as it looks to have been unveiled at CeBit which was pretty recent.

The latest firmware I can find is dated 25/1/2010. The Billion UK site seems to be down ATM.

DrT

Edited by deleted (Sun 10-Apr-11 21:46:38)

Billion advised me that this model will go on sale sometime in September. Billion UK are waiting for their VDSL2/FTTC line to be installed so that they can properly support customers.

DrT

It's available now>
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?...

I'm still waiting for BT infinity but in the meantime, I'd be interested to know if anyone gets this modem to work with BT infinity and whether the broadbandbuyer website is correct in saying that a BT modem is still required.

Hi,

The modem/router comes in two flavours...modem only and modem/router combo.

I recently tested a modem only version and there was a definite reduction in sync with the Billion unit.

DrT

In reply to a post by Matfink:

It's available now>
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?...

I'm still waiting for BT infinity but in the meantime, I'd be interested to know if anyone gets this modem to work with BT infinity and whether the broadbandbuyer website is correct in saying that a BT modem is still required.

Whilst it may work, officially the Ethernet port on the Openreach modem is the active Demarcation Point and is required to be used for the service as per the Terms & Conditions.

Actually there is a new firmware available by request that improve the sync speed of the modem only version which is the 8200M.

The 8200N will work with BT infiniity ok, main thing is you need to ensure you setup the VLAN on the router as BT requires some VLAN settings in order for it to work. There was a problem with 8200N where the sync speed was mouch lower than the BT modem but there is a new firmware that improves that. It was mainly affecting the upload speed.

You can use with or without the BT modem becasue the 8200N has VDSL modem built in, in case there is any problem where you might need to stick the BT modem back on for certain occasions, you can use the EWAN port on the 8200N to connect to the BT modem.

Whilst it may work, officially the Ethernet port on the Openreach modem is the active Demarcation Point and is required to be used for the service as per the Terms & Conditions.

I have been told otherwise on more than one occasion.

Any experience with the new firmware anybody?

DrT

It certainly works with BT FTTC, I'm posting with one plugged in right now. All you have to do is set up the VLAN tag which is explained in the setup guide.

As for the EWAN port, as mentioned already earlier in the thread you can use Ethernet port 4 for this. It will allow you to connect the Bipac to a standard BT Openreach FTTC modem.

I got mine from Broadbandbuyer.co.uk when I returned a Draytek Vigor 2750n that I wasn't impressed with.

Edit:

Meant to add, mine came with the latest firmware already installed and so far I'm getting very good sync speed.

Edited by Edge (Thu 11-Aug-11 20:01:25)

How did you configure your 8200N? I'm having problems with the one I just bought.

When you enter the VLAN ID it doesn't let you apply changes unless you check the boxes for the LAN ports (not mentioned in the UK-specific paper manual supplied).

If you do check the LAN ports, it applies the changes then instantly goes deaf, so the browser times out trying to refresh the page. Then you can't talk to it unless you power cycle it, and since the config change hasn't been committed to flash, you are back where you started.

I just went to Configuration > Advanced > VLAN and filled it in like THIS and clicked 'Apply'.

Then I did 'Save Config' to store it to flash and it saved it without problem on mine.

Edited by Edge (Sat 29-Oct-11 21:03:40)

Hmm, I see what you see except for an extra column for WLAN. But as soon as I hit Apply I can't talk to the router any more.

What's your firmware version? Mine is 1.02i.dt8.

Ahh yours is different to mine, mine is version 1.02h which is the same as the one available from Billion's site. Mine came with this version already installed, so I've not replaced the firmware yet.

Sadly, while the Billion web site shows 1.02h dated 27th June, if you actually download it you get 1.02i.dt2 dated 23rd August.

Any chance you could upload your 1.02h so I can try it out?

Cheers

That's a bit cack, mine came pre-installed so I've never had a firmware image for it. I just checked the box and on the supplied CD I only had the manual/setup guide and some Windows utility

Got a reply from my support request:

Really sorry about this VLAN issue.
We are aware of it now and we will look into it ASAP.
Can you please try upgrade to this 1.02i.dt4 firmware attached?
Please unzip the file and you should get a .afw file
Then enter the webGUI and goto Advanced> Configuration>System> firmware upgrade
Browse to where the .afw file is and then proceed with firmware upgrade.

Will try this out when I get home tonight.

Edited by deleted (Mon 31-Oct-11 11:36:59)

They gave me 1.02i.dt4, which had the same problem. They then gave me 1.02i (no suffix) and also 1.02h. I only had time to try 1.02h this evening and it worked immediately, no problem at all.

I'm quite impressed with Billion support.

I'm out of time now but I'll try the 1.02i (no suffix) tomorrow.

Sounds good, I'd be interested to know the results.

1.0i2 (no suffix) worked fine, as did 1.06a which they also gave me.

I just did a few quick tests, I hope to replace my old router with the new one this weekend, if I get to the end of my weekend job list in timel.

Edited by deleted (Sat 05-Nov-11 15:41:55)

Hmm, not so good. As soon as I switch on the WLAN, the router's web server goes deaf. Awaiting feedback from Billion support.