Re: Switching from Zen to BT Internet

In article <slrnf3n7vl.tc.spam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Marcus Houlden <mh-spam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
At the moment I'm using Zen (with an IP Stream 2000 based connection) and a
Draytek 2600VG router. I'm happy enough with both, but I'm considering
taking up work's offer of free BT Total Broadband option 3 (you can probably
guess who I work for). Before I do, a few questions:

I'm guessing you work for BT ...

I currently have a fixed IP address which I use for various servers. I know
BT doesn't provide them on domestic products so I'd probably have to go for
some kind of dynamic DNS service such as DynDNS or no-ip. Because I also
have a domain with DNS control, would it work to have a *.nukesoft.co.uk
hostname set to point to a CNAME for a dynamic hostname?

That should work.

Is it compulsory to use a Home Hub, especially if I also go for BT Vision
and Broadband Talk? Detailed technical information about both is hard to
find, but it looks like the hub uses some kind of QoS so BTV doesn't use all
the bandwidth. My Draytek router is fine for most things and supports SIP
based VOIP so I'd prefer to use that given the choice. I know it wouldn't be
supported by BT's helpdesk but I'm not too bothered about that as long as it
would work.

So you work for BT and can't get technical information? What hope have
the rest of us got!!!

The "hub" probably uses QoS to guarantee bandwidth for BTV rather than
make sure it doesn't hog all the bandwidth. At least, that's how I'd do
it if I were provisioning a real-time feed ofsome sort (eg. a VoIP feed!)

I've also had a read through the Home Hub manual at
http://www.homehub.bt.com/html/user-guide.pdf but it is pretty general and
not really very detailed. Is there anything online with more detail that I
could read through before I decide whether or not to go for it?

The main reason I'm thinking about switching is to save £35/month but I'd be
prepared to stick with Zen if the BT offering is *very* different. My main
concerns are being able to keep using a .nukesoft.co.uk hostname and also be
able to use my Draytek router. Given a choice I'd prefer to just have to
change the username and password (and get DNS and the firewall and QoS
set up) if possible.

Have you checked your Zen usage stats? Are you using < 20GB a month? If
so, upgrade to Zen-MAX and save yourself a tenner a month (it's £25pcm,
but capped at 20GB per month)

However if you're a p2p enthusiast, that might not work out for you.

I'd stick to Zen myself.

Your 2600 has QoS controls too, (I have one) so you could use that with
the BT service, I guess - all you'd need to do is work out what the
ports/protocol they use for BTV and add that into your existing QoS
services. And if there's a fault, then just plug the BT unit back in.

Gordon (a happy Zen customer)
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Switching from Zen to BT Internet
    ... taking up work's offer of free BT Total Broadband option 3 (you can ... Is it compulsory to use a Home Hub, especially if I also go for BT Vision ... My Draytek router is fine for most things and supports SIP ...
    (uk.telecom.broadband)
  • Re: Switching from Zen to BT Internet
    ... taking up work's offer of free BT Total Broadband option 3 (you can ... Is it compulsory to use a Home Hub, especially if I also go for BT Vision ... My Draytek router is fine for most things and supports SIP ...
    (uk.telecom.broadband)
  • Re: Switching from Zen to BT Internet
    ... taking up work's offer of free BT Total Broadband option 3 (you can ... Is it compulsory to use a Home Hub, especially if I also go for BT Vision ... My Draytek router is fine for most things and supports SIP ...
    (uk.telecom.broadband)
  • Re: Allied Telesyn QoS testing
    ... I need to qualify an Allied Telesyn router from a delay, jitter, packet ... point and verify that the QoS parameters are being adhered to. ... you (this only works if you are likely to spend serious money on the kit, ... manufacturer tests give best possible numbers - so derate what you expect ...
    (comp.dcom.lans.ethernet)
  • Re: QOS VOIP - Hosted IP PBX Provider
    ... CCIE R&S (in progress), CCIE Voice ... configure QoS on the router, as well as on your switches, as well as ... In general, you must configure QoS on all your devices - the router, LAN ...
    (comp.dcom.sys.cisco)