TP-Link Archer VR900 (to replace BT HH5a) - first thoughts

I've had some issues with the BT HomeHub 5a, so after some reluctance to fork out more money, and plenty of reading of these threads, I decided to try out the TP-Link Archer VR900.

First thoughts (after less than 24 hours) :

* A fairly large unit, but sturdy
* VDSL (@35 Mbps) is rock solid - no modem drops (checked via telnet) - though this is at 35 Mbps on a line that has synced at up to 38 Mbps previously (ip profile challenge)
* upload speed seems a little lower - 1 Mbps [7 vs 6] than HG612, but yet to do a side by side test as recent debugging of the HH has left me on that dodgy profile
* A real shame there's no detailed line stats (I knew this)
* Dynamic DNS with noip seems to always hang & not complete
* The local DNS server is just a cache. Though the router reports local device names in the status screens, it's DNS server will not resolve. This is VERY annoying (the HH5 worked fine for this) though I guess I could offload DNS, or all DHCP to one of my raspberry pis ....
* The VPN support is client only ie to connect to another server. A shame, a local VPN server would have been useful (could be on pi .. but..)
* The wifi range is good, haven't tested speeds yet (BB only 35-40 Mbps) & I get a solid 5 Ghz signal all over the house, whilst the HH5 struggled in a few places
* Throughput seems very consistent, and pings seem lower than HH5 (I need to go back and retest)

Overall though I'm disapointed by DDNS & DNS issues, not sure this is cutting the grade. I have 30 day amazon returns. The netgear D7000 may be another option. I'm also still chasing BT. Or I find a router running opensource code (ah but nothing with integrated vdsl), or split the router/wireless access pieces. I may yet keep the AR900 (£108) though since the basics of vdsl & wifi are looking decent

Edited by planetf1 (Tue 05-Apr-16 14:55:18)

If chasing perfection might have to go for a split modem and router solution.

Andrew

Why not have a look at an asus rt-ac87u. I use it with merlin firmware and a seperate modem. This means I can get stats from the modem , 5ghz wifi and inbuilt vpn server. Also means if making changes to the router and then rebooting the router it has no effect on the sync as the modem does not need to be reset.

I had a vr900 to begin with but having seperates is so much better.

Damn doesn't seem perfect either. Since you have an open reach modem I would return the router and replace it for a modem and router solution, these have been extremely tried and tested (some models). Don't settle if you've forked out extra for this. Best of luck!

Yep I had one, same issues as yourselfem had to return it as it kept screwing up Xbox connections due to DNS issue.... I replaced with Archer C9 and Modem.... whilst the issues with DDNS & DNS seems resolved the wireless seems limted by a config issue (using lower 5G channels only)

So not recommended, I saw a comment about AC87U.... I had one, it was quiet a beast but there was some issues with its router just hanging and not responding requiring reboots....

I also recommend using modem plus router option rather than AiO combination

Thanks for all the suggestions

* I can see the case for separating modem, router, wifi - I can still of course use the HG612 if I wish, and the cost difference with a non-vdsl of this model change wasn't too much. I'm trying to de-clutter so if I can find something stable, super.... of course the other flexibility lost is no third party firmware
* Though the vpn server/DDNS are marginally annoying they aren't really such a big deal. If I think carefully about the core requirement it's stable wireless. (stable vdsl is preferred but the HG612 can already do that). The VR900 seems to fulfill this well so far, and vdsl too
* The reports of dodgy vdsl put me off the asus devices, perhaps I put too much weight in focussing on the broadcom routers - ie mostly netgear/tplink

I have had my ac87u for months running merlin due to skys specific dhcp requirememts and so far not one lock up or hang....

Thoughts a little further down the line:

* Wifi/DSL remained stable
* QOS is pretty limited
* still suspect upstream is slower than HG612

I'm now planning to switch back to the HH5a+HG612 combination and will do some comparison tests on latency, sync, speedtest, monitor reliability. Trying to determine whether the router is worth keeping, whether to go higher end (ie adaptive QOS etc), or simpler (keep HG612, open source firmware on another router) plus perhaps chase up BT on the HH5a. Also lack of stats is frustrating.

As an aside, amazon currently have reduced the VR900 to £100

I think you should look to get the HH5 replaced again.

Most of us do not experience any of the issues you listed in your very first post.

See here for a list of generally happy users apart from some advanced features missing:
http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/bt/f/4475463-replac...

I contacted BT - took about a week to get back to me. They called and then emailed asking me for more info. Sent, and a week later still waiting for a reply...... slow....

That being said I've just popped the HG612/HH5a (reset again) back in place.

MOst interesting is that as I suspected, the UPLOAD on the VDSL on the VR900 compared to the HG612 is quite different - approx 1 Mbps better sync (and this is mirrored in speedtest throughput) on the HG612 versus the VR900. With my upstream sync being 6-7 Mbps this is significant. Downstream is looking the same, though I'm capped with IP profile. However SNRm figures also match, as does expected maximum.

It feels (from internal ping tests) that the HH has marginally higher latency - perhaps a little less than 1ms, across the board (slower cpu?)

Going to spend more time now to see if
a) the infamous software update (beyond 204.11 arrives)
b) the original problems reoccur
c) 5 Ghz wifi range

whilst living with the HH on defaults, and the HG612 as modem

Edited by planetf1 (Mon 11-Apr-16 12:57:20)

I find latency goes up by around 1ms when I use the HG612, probably that.

Are you still in contract, if so BT should provide a new HH. I've always called to get mine, I'm very insistent they replace the unit and eventually they do (it is a pain though, they run checks and it usually takes 45 minutes approx start to end).

I only use 5Ghz in my household now, my iPhone only has 1 bar although it does not drop out. I do have a wireless AC 1200 Mbps booster as well, also linked over 5Ghz.

In my experience I've never got a firmware upgrade when I change settings in the HH, as already discussed. Not sure if that's a coincidence although other users report the same on BT forums. I really hope you get this resolved ASAP.

Worth noting, the replacements I've got are always recirculated devices and as such usually have relatively new firmware (in my experience). Not sure if they're all the same but my last one had the latest firmware already applied and had logs going back 6 months before I owned the device. I could see the firmware had been applied two months prior, as when I logged into 192.168.1.254 I could see last firmware upgrade and the date.

I had my old Type A replaced as it kept rebooting almost daily. New one doesn't exhibit this, so things do go wrong. Keep us informed!

Edited by ukhardy07 (Mon 11-Apr-16 13:39:53)

Can I verify - are you not on firmware version 4.7.5.1.83.8.204.1.11

You said you wanted to see if you can go behind "204.11" firmware. I am wondering if you mistyped "204.1.11" which would suggest you're on latest firmware.

The latest HH firmware publically available & launched are listed here:
http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13073...

Some users may have newer firmware if they're part of testing etc.

MY HH5b had newer than latest firmware on it.... had to have hub replaced :

In reply to a post by planetf1:

MOst interesting is that as I suspected, the UPLOAD on the VDSL on the VR900 compared to the HG612 is quite different - approx 1 Mbps better sync (and this is mirrored in speedtest throughput) on the HG612 versus the VR900. With my upstream sync being 6-7 Mbps this is significant.

Is your HG612 unlocked? If you disable QoS on the HG612 you can get a further boost on your upstream of about 1MB (but this can only be done on an unlocked one)

In reply to a post by ukhardy07:

The latest HH firmware publically available & launched are listed here:
http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13073...

That webpage is out of date. The latest official/public firmware for the HH5A is now 4.7.5.1.83.8.222.1.1 and it's been rolling out since at least February.

I did ask BT to update that page and was told:

BT will stagger the roll-out of any firmware that is released. We will generally wait until this firmware has reached all customers on the targeted hub before updating the page you have linked to. I would imagine that once this new firmware has been fully rolled-out, we will update our website.

I don't know where you're getting this info from but my firmware is 4.7.5.1.83.8.204.1.11 which was updated at the end of March.

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

I don't know where you're getting this info from but my firmware is 4.7.5.1.83.8.204.1.11 which was updated at the end of March.

Not sure why you got the old version of the firmware but if you search the BT Community forums you will see several reports of having 4.7.5.1.83.8.222.1.1 since February (and not beta testers)

So you're getting your info from searching the BT forums rather than from an official source? That explains a lot.

The latest official firmware which every user expects is 4.7.5.1.83.8.204.1.11

Some users may be on different or newer firmware, as I stated, although these are part of the newer firmware initial rollouts. If you get a new HH5, chances are it will stop at firmware version 4.7.5.1.83.8.204.1.11 unless you are part of the initial set.

It is not correct to state that 4.7.5.1.83.8.222.1.1 is the latest adopted firmware as most users cannot get it. Good for you if you have it, how is it, any improvements?

Edited by ukhardy07 (Mon 11-Apr-16 20:58:41)

In reply to a post by ukhardy07:

Can I verify - are you not on firmware version 4.7.5.1.83.8.204.1.11

Yes I am.... though it isn't the latest and certainly has wifi issues (for me)

In reply to a post by mlmclaren:

MY HH5b had newer than latest firmware on it.... had to have hub replaced :

I am starting to think that is the only way of getting a sw update

BT will stagger the roll-out of any firmware that is released. We will generally wait until this firmware has reached all customers on the targeted hub before updating the page you have linked to. I would imagine that once this new firmware has been fully rolled-out, we will update our website.

sigh - so frustrating when you are getting issues that are supposedly fixed!

In reply to a post by gt94sss2:

[Is your HG612 unlocked? If you disable QoS on the HG612 you can get a further boost on your upstream of about 1MB (but this can only be done on an unlocked one)
[/quote]

yes it's unlocked . I've unchecked it though sceptical .........

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

I don't know where you're getting this info from but my firmware is 4.7.5.1.83.8.204.1.11 which was updated at the end of March.

You mean shortly after you got a replacement hub from BT.... meaning that it got the latest firmware for YOUR hub/connection....

Doesn't mean it's the latest.

In reply to a post by planetf1:

In reply to a post by mlmclaren:

MY HH5b had newer than latest firmware on it.... had to have hub replaced :

I am starting to think that is the only way of getting a sw update

It won't be, I got the 'trial' firmware when I first connected to BT for the first time, however my replacement HH5b only updated to the latest listed at BT's site above.

I can also confirm that the firmware on my first hub wasn't very good and seemed to have a lot of teething problem's, so staying clear might be wise.

It won't be, I got the 'trial' firmware when I first connected to BT for the first time, however my replacement HH5b only updated to the latest listed at BT's site above.

though the update schedule of the "b" may differ
So when you got updated on the first hub was that an update overnight the first night it was left plugged in from new? (it may occur after a reset too)

I can also confirm that the firmware on my first hub wasn't very good and seemed to have a lot of teething problem's, so staying clear might be wise.

It sounds as if your first one was an a (the one I'm struggling with) and you're getting better luck with a b. I wish I could try the latter!

In reply to a post by mlmclaren:

You mean shortly after you got a replacement hub from BT.... meaning that it got the latest firmware for YOUR hub/connection....

Doesn't mean it's the latest.

I mean my hub has the latest firmware as listed here http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13073... which means it is the latest.

My hub updated the firmware at the end of March as shown here:

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

3. Firmware version: Software version 4.7.5.1.83.8.204.1.11 (Type A) Last updated 31/03/16
4. Board version: BT Hub 5A

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

In reply to a post by mlmclaren:

You mean shortly after you got a replacement hub from BT.... meaning that it got the latest firmware for YOUR hub/connection....

Doesn't mean it's the latest.

I mean my hub has the latest firmware as listed here http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13073... which means it is the latest.

My hub updated the firmware at the end of March as shown here:

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

3. Firmware version: Software version 4.7.5.1.83.8.204.1.11 (Type A) Last updated 31/03/16
4. Board version: BT Hub 5A

Fine.... It doesn't mean it has the latest 'trial' version then... :X

The hub updated as soon as it got connected... didn't bother with 2nd hub but did test one of the known issues and it didn't exist anymore.

In reply to a post by planetf1:

In reply to a post by ukhardy07:

Can I verify - are you not on firmware version 4.7.5.1.83.8.204.1.11

Yes I am.... though it isn't the latest and certainly has wifi issues (for me)

This is the latest version supported by BT at current, some users are kind of selected, I guess like a trial for newer firmware but alas most of us are not. So we have the same firmware.

I have firmware version 4.7.5.1.83.8.204.1.11 and it is flawless for me. This is the one most users have.

If you are having issues on this firmware version including SSIDs disappearing as you describe, you almost certainly have a faulty hub. No firmware gonna fix that.

Latest supported firmwares are always published here.
http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13073...
If somebody has a newer version, they're just part of a sample who are kind of trailing the new firmware. Often this causes them more issues.

Back to the drawing board, your issues do not appear to be the firmware, else I'm sure me and batboy would be raging hell on here, as we are both on the same firmware as you .

If my SSID randomly disappeared I would be all over that. & If my 5Ghz dropped, again I would be all over that, as all I am using personally is 5Ghz, although other people I live with use 2.4 as well.

I've kicked through 300Gb in a week on this HH5A all over WiFi in the past 6 days.

I may have a spare HomeHub 5A somewhere in my house if you're having this much of an issue getting a replacement out of BT.

Edited by ukhardy07 (Mon 11-Apr-16 23:34:26)

Glad to hear the HH5 is going well for you, and interesting to hear the kind of usage you put through it. A hw fault is a possibility, but I work in software, and have spent plenty of time debugging. Pretty much anything is possible, there can be so many particular co-incidences/combinations that can create the environment where a particular bug only affects a small proportion of people. So I certainly don't discount a sw effect at all. A particular device I have, the surrounding rf interference, a configuration change, who knows!

Thanks too for the kind offer of a 5A replacement, but I'll chase BT. I've also reset the hub so will see if the issue re-occurs.

Meanwhile plan B was an alternative hub - I went for the AR900, of course I hit a snag with that that made me think again. (In that case it was an upstream sync of around 6 Mbps instead of 7 Mbps which given I do a lot of upload [backup] is significant, and is reflected in actual throughput). So pay £100+ for bugs or chase BT ... Yes I find issues with lots of things

There are many reports on the BT Community forums by people having similar problems to you, so I don't think your problem is unusual
https://community.bt.com/t5/Connected-Devices-Other/...
They all get moved out of the main Infinity forum by the fanboys.

Interestingly my throughput over wireless has been stuck at 20Mbps since last evening...

Seems I've cursed myself.

BatBoy,

I am not going to argue with you - experience has shown you refuse to listen to anyone who doesn't with your own views - even when you are the only one claiming something or where there is lots of evidence you are wrong - such as some of your comments on G.INP

All I will say is that 4.7.5.1.83.8.204.1.11 is not the latest official version of the firmware. You may only have got it recently for some reason (a replacement hub?) but it has been rolling out 'officially' since last summer.

4.7.5.1.83.8.222.1.1 is now the latest version. This was in trial at the end of last year and is now being rolled out gradually.

FWIT this post has someone who was beta trialling it then (as they did the older version in 2015)

The BT help page does not yet show the new version and I have been told that:

BT will stagger the roll-out of any firmware that is released. We will generally wait until this firmware has reached all customers on the targeted hub before updating the page you have linked to.

You can choose to believe me or not - I am not going to enter into a debate about this with you about this - it would be pointless to do so with you given your refusal to believe anything anyone else says...

You can repeat what you have seen in other forum posts all you want. It in no way constitutes an official statement. It's just somebody's opinion, not even your opinion

As believe we are doing a Groundhog day once again