In reply to a post by okanee:

Thanks! I'm definitely going to check PlusNet out, sounds ideal for my circumstances.

When you say, login in via the router's interface, I'm assuming PlusNet would allow me remote access to that (having say configured via TR-069 the remote management feature using static IP / port we agreed on up front)

Afternoon,

Our router does permit remote access but only if it's explicitly enabled (which it isn't in the firmware we ship). We offer a static IP on our Unlimited products for a one-off charge of £5.

Our router (a Technicolor 582n) will pre-populate itself with a customer's login credentials shortly after it's plugged in and connected to the Openreach VDSL modem. Once this has happened it is possible to tinker with the router config via our ACS but this isn't something front-line staff are able to do.

So, we could meet your requirements but it is far from a standard procedure and is unlikely to be as seamless as you're hoping for:

1. Account is activated morning of the install
2. Only now can a static IP be activated via our website
3. Openreach engineer arrives, installs service and PPPoE router is connected to the modem
2. TR-069 does it's thing and connects to the Plusnet network (can now access the Internet)

Now comes the tricky bit You'd then need to either:

Talk the end user through the steps required to access the router GUI and enable remote access. It's fairly straight forward but may overwhelm somebody who's not very confident.

Or:

Get somebody here to enable remote access using the ACS and provide you with the username/password and the port it's running across.

I can probably arrange the latter however it depends on my availability on the day of the install. It's unlikely I'd be able to sort it whilst the engineer was still on site.

Rgds,

No need for it to be the same static IP but just preferred to have any static IP.

Been reading the issues some users have had with the Technicolor TG582n (which I believe is my only TR-69 option). Sounds like the wireless performance could be an issue.....have you any experience of it?

My initial idea was to take your recommendation of the Buffalo air station router. If I go with this I will have to forget the TR-69 route and pre-configure the Buffalo to have ready when modem install is done.

Any idea if PlusNet might provide me a router config file to upload and tweak etc after the order is placed and well before Openreach install?

How will the ISP provide a config for a router they don't supply

All you need is the plusnet username and password for the PPPoE session that you use for the Internet connection on the router.

One of the few drawbacks with my Buffalo is that I couldn't get a manual setup to work. The WAN setup wizard, (I abhor wizards), works flawlessly. Detail configuration changes are easy once you find your way round the submenus.

The Plusnet router wireless is poor.

Re your managing the install, doesn't Bob Pullen's post appeal?

Edit - though re-reading your post, if you configure the bits you want, send it to the site, then let the user run the setup wizard, you don't need the Plusnet router connected at all. Though wise to have it there as a spare and a guaranteed connection if anything goes wrong with the Buffalo.

The cable plugs and ports are mostly colour-coded, which helps.

Edited by RobertoS (Tue 22-Jan-13 23:31:26)

In reply to a post by bpullen:

In reply to a post by okanee:

Thanks! I'm definitely going to check PlusNet out, sounds ideal for my circumstances.

When you say, login in via the router's interface, I'm assuming PlusNet would allow me remote access to that (having say configured via TR-069 the remote management feature using static IP / port we agreed on up front)

Afternoon,

Our router does permit remote access but only if it's explicitly enabled (which it isn't in the firmware we ship). We offer a static IP on our Unlimited products for a one-off charge of £5.

Our router (a Technicolor 582n) will pre-populate itself with a customer's login credentials shortly after it's plugged in and connected to the Openreach VDSL modem. Once this has happened it is possible to tinker with the router config via our ACS but this isn't something front-line staff are able to do.

So, we could meet your requirements but it is far from a standard procedure and is unlikely to be as seamless as you're hoping for:

1. Account is activated morning of the install
2. Only now can a static IP be activated via our website
3. Openreach engineer arrives, installs service and PPPoE router is connected to the modem
2. TR-069 does it's thing and connects to the Plusnet network (can now access the Internet)

Now comes the tricky bit You'd then need to either:

Talk the end user through the steps required to access the router GUI and enable remote access. It's fairly straight forward but may overwhelm somebody who's not very confident.

Or:

Get somebody here to enable remote access using the ACS and provide you with the username/password and the port it's running across.

I can probably arrange the latter however it depends on my availability on the day of the install. It's unlikely I'd be able to sort it whilst the engineer was still on site.


Thanks Bob - I had completely missed your Post....just noticed it now.

That's more or less how I was understanding the steps to be taken.

One idea Mr. Saffron had suggested was to use TeamViewer or LogMeIn type access once a LAN machine is able to connect....I've used LogMeIn quite a bit without any issue.

If I were to go with another router and pre-configure etc - rather than the shipped PlusNet TR-69 option, could I get the required parameters sent out after ordering ahead of modem install? I notice about you said "Account is activated morning of the install" - but could the credentials be made available to me before that for pre-config? How soon after order confirmation could these be available?

Thanks again for your help.

Rgds,

Doh, realised what I had written couple mins after posted

Thanks - that's a good idea. Definitely worth a try and as you say have the PlusNet as a failsafe.

Did miss Bob's Post at first - just read.

Perhaps the PN router is ok for me as I'm more concerned about the general connection / speed to one node which will in fact be cabled to the router, rather than the overall wireless range / performance.

In reply to a post by okanee:

Definitely worth a try and as you say have the PlusNet as a failsafe.

I was suggesting similar - get things going using the PlusNet router, then change to your own router later on if you wish.

Thanks. Just weighing my options now before ordering.

How quick do you think PlusNet would have my PPPoE username/password available after order?

I want to have the contingency of a pre-configured alternative router ready to go and get someone to connect it as a preferred first option; should it not work then fall back to the PlusNet supplied router for auto config (TR-69).

In reply to a post by okanee:

How quick do you think PlusNet would have my PPPoE username/password available after order?

Immediately because you're asked for a username/password during the signup journey.

The PPPoE username is in the format <username>@plusdsl.net and the password is identical to the one you specify during signup.

Edit: added the following because your forum profile is configured not to accept private messages so I can't reply to the one you sent me (hope you don't mind) ...

Before I go ahead and place and order, just wanted to validate what might be the steps here if I go ahead and order. By my understanding following the help on the forums, it would be the following:

1. Place the order and take the option of included TR-69 manageable wireless router model.
2. You guys record the shipped unit serial number / MAC etc to recognize the incoming device on TR-69 session
3. Wireless router connected to installed Openreach modem; my existing nodes connected to wireless router, default LAN IP values assigned from PlusNet wireless router etc.
4. I have some TeamViewer or LogMeIn type service on the router connected PC which can be located on net by corresponding client to allow remote login for purposes of reconfiguring the wireless router or enabling the remote management feature.

That should work fine assuming LogMeIn doesn't require any ports opening on the router (I've no first hand experience of using it).

Might it be possible to configure the router with my preferred LAN IP subnet e.g. 192.168.1.x/255.255.255.0. I have another non PC box using this scheme and trying to change its address could be problematic remotely.

The LAN IP of the router is 192.168.1.254 and by default it will assign local devices a DHCP address in the range 192.168.1.64-192.168.1.253.

Hope that helps.

Rgds,

Edited by deleted (Wed 23-Jan-13 10:19:42)