Alternative to BT Parental Controls

Hi all,

I've just switched from Sky ADSL to BT Infinity, but BT's parental controls (and I believe the way they handle DNS) were causing issues with Netflix on my Roku 2 so I've switched them off.

I'd like to keep some level of parental controls but the BT HH5 doesn't seem to let me change the DNS servers to use OpenDNS or something similar.

Just wondering if other people have managed to set something up that doesn't involve installing software on or configuring every internet device in the house?

So far all I can think of is: -

1) Buying another wireless router that directs traffic via OpenDNS and turning off wireless on the HH5.
or 2) Setting up a DHCP server on the existing network which will allocate IP addresses with OpenDNS as the DNS server (instead of using the HH5 for DHCP).

Any advice/ideas gratefully received.

Thanks.

Both of those will work or

3) replacing the HH5 with a 3rd party modem/router that does what you want
4) migrate back to FTTC on Sky if you were happy with Sky's parental controls

Thanks,

Hadn't thought of (3) to be honest - I might look into that some more.

I don't really want to go with (4) as I'm happy so far with BT apart from the parental controls (which to be fair are easy to turn off), its just a way of finding another approach that works for me.

Anyway - thanks for the help.

how about the kids devices just connect on bt openzone/fon wifi?

In reply to a post by ggremlin:

how about the kids devices just connect on bt openzone/fon wifi?

I just tested that - no parental controls

If you go down the 3rd party route my current router of choice is the Synology rt1900ac, built in web content filtering by category (no dns changes needed), parental controls via schedule, bandwidth monitoring and limiting which also is done by Layer 7 application level - clients identified by MAC address not IP, so no need to fix IP of clients. The new version of firmware due out any day brings intrusion detection and prevention to the device turning it into a mini UTM device.
All this and a fantastic gui thats simple and easy to use.
Ive used many routers over the years from Asus, Netgear, Draytek, Billion, ive built PC based UTM's etc, but this Synology is really good little box.

In reply to a post by Rolandrat:

If you go down the 3rd party route my current router of choice is the Synology rt1900ac

Thanks - that looks like a great bit of kit - it might be a bit overkill for me but the idea of using it for NAS, DLNA, proper parental controls and downloads is tempting. I always fancied a Synology NAS too...

Is this fairly easy to connect up to the HH5? Did you set up the Synology to get an IP address from the HH5 and then run a separate network range from it? (e.g. 192.168.0.*)? Or do you run it from the 192.168.1.* network?

I've also been looking at the TP-Link TD-W9980 which also has a modem built-in (but doesn't have as many features).

Thanks again.

I have it connected to a billion 8800NL in full bridge mode, prevents having to drop the line potentially causing DLM kicking in when the synology needs a reboot, not that I really need to reboot it except when new firmware comes out, its rock solid for me.
You would need a separate modem unless the HH5 can be put in bridge modem only mode.
I dont have one im afraid so cant help there.
I also have a Synology NAS, a old one now - 1513+ and later added the 5 disk expansion model DX513 - never looked back, its a major investment but the things you can with them are great.

Edited by Rolandrat (Tue 19-Apr-16 14:14:35)

The best you can do with the HH5 is turn the firewall off and put the router in the DMZ.

Thanks all,

It looks like to use an advanced router like the Synology rt1900ac, my best bet is to replace the HH5 with something else first.

The cost is starting to stack up a bit for me, so I might look at getting a TP-Link TD-W9980 or Billion 8800NL to replace the HH5 which will always give me the option of adding a Synology at a later point in time if I think I need the additional features.

I might also explore setting up "dnsmasq" for DHCP on an old Raspberry Pi 1 I have somewhere which may help me to ensure that network devices use OpenDNS and their filtering (albeit that's fairly easy to get around)

Anyway - thanks for all the tips - I need to go away and do a bit more research...