topic Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config in My Router

Plusnet Hub 2 config

greygit — Mon, 23 May 2022 13:15:18 GMT

Any chance of having an option for saving and uploading a saved configuration in plain text? The saved config looks like a bunch of mandarin characters.

Or a CLI interface which is a bit more (technically) complete than the very basic web interface?

I've just switched from the TG582n and (as an ex network engineer) am suffering from technical withdrawal symptoms.

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

bobpullen — Tue, 24 May 2022 10:38:29 GMT

Neither CLI access or plain config file parsing is ever likely to be introduced I'm afraid. Out of curiousity, what are you trying to achieve that isn't possible due to the absence of these two features?

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

greygit — Mon, 23 May 2022 17:30:18 GMT

Starters for 10.

MAC address filtering (yes, I know MACs can be spoofed)

Disabling automatic joining to the Wifi

Clearing down the event log after saving

Resetting the counters (volume of traffic up/down per device) without having to restart the modem

Finding out if there is any way of implementing some sort of QoS or traffic manglement on the LAN. (Actual problem here as one person hammers their smartphone and hogs the bandwidth to the detriment of others).

Having a proper look at the firewall rules.

Monitoring error counts on the line.

Look at the process list that is running.

NTP options (other ntp servers).

VLANs

Stuff that doesn't appear on the minimal web interface

Other stuff I've yet to think of.

In the full knowledge that if I 'break' something there is always the reset button. The reset button on the TG582n and I became good friends The CLI documentation is only 800+ pages long.

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

greygit — Mon, 23 May 2022 21:08:40 GMT

Filtering bogons. Because sometimes even ISPs can get stuff wrong.

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

greygit — Tue, 24 May 2022 21:18:18 GMT

I can verify that there is a bug in the "Access control" the Hub2's web interfarce (deliberate mis-spelling it anyone wants verification) on the Plusnet Hub2. I'm now having to suppose that there is limited testing of features/functionality of this device.

Trying to replicate a "no access at all" (00:00 - 24:00 in a standard 24hr clock) isn't possible (except for the predefined 'Default', whose settings cannot be copied). The best that is achievable is 00:00 - 23:45

Using a proper 24 hour clock rather than am/pm is more helpful in preventing such little glitches.

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

greygit — Tue, 24 May 2022 23:25:12 GMT

Having delved through ARP tables (it's an ethernet thing).I'm now fairly sure that the Hub2 is incapable of displaying (or unwilling to display) all locally connected devices. Which is a bit naughty.

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

bobpullen — Wed, 25 May 2022 01:11:20 GMT

What are you trying to achieve? Block access to certain devices 24/7?

What makes you think the hub isn't displaying devices that are connected to it?

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

greygit — Wed, 25 May 2022 23:35:42 GMT

"What are you trying to achieve? Block access to certain devices 24/7?"

That's an available option for the 'default' group which appears to be unavailable to new groups on the Hub 2. And then there's the other stuff. Apologies if I appear to be awkward.

I'm currently thinking the PN Hub2 is going to ultimately become just a modem and I'll be buying a cabled router to fill the lack of of functionality. I'm just trying to avoid that expense.

Is there a list of (possible) features/enhancements/improvements in future firmware upgrades? Even if they don't currently have a scheduled release date.

Oh.

gateway 192.168.1.254
subnet mask 255.255.255.224

DHCP
start address 192.168.1.225
end address 192.168.1.253

The Hub2 accepts this

======================

gateway 192.168.1.254
subnet mask 255.255.255.240

DHCP
start address 192.168.1.241
end address 192.168.1.253

(avoiding .254 as the router/default gateway, etc.)

The Hub2 throws a hissy fit and informs me that the settings are invalid. Or the subnet is.

I think I still understand my CCNA-level subnetting learnings.

Am I wrong? Have I forgotten something? Or does the Hub2 object to a IPv4 subnet of less than /27 for some (valid) reason?

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

Dan_the_Van — Thu, 26 May 2022 07:13:29 GMT

The Hub2 throws a hissy fit and informs me that the settings are invalid. Or the subnet is.

Interested what networks you are trying to use?

I must admit I found the Hub Two for someone who likes to fiddle not the best, it is really aimed at the plug and play user.

I suggest you get your wallet out and buy something that fits your needs and like me put your Hub Two in bridge mode.

Dan

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

bobpullen — Thu, 26 May 2022 11:39:29 GMT

@greygit wrote:
gateway 192.168.1.254
subnet mask 255.255.255.240

DHCP
start address 192.168.1.241
end address 192.168.1.253

(avoiding .254 as the router/default gateway, etc.)

The Hub2 throws a hissy fit and informs me that the settings are invalid. Or the subnet is.

I think I still understand my CCNA-level subnetting learnings.

Am I wrong? Have I forgotten something? Or does the Hub2 object to a IPv4 subnet of less than /27 for some (valid) reason?

Not that I can see, although limiting the DHCP pool/network to 13 client devices is an odd choice in this day and age. I'll try and replicate before asking around to see if the behaviour is intentional.

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

greygit — Thu, 26 May 2022 19:39:26 GMT

Oh, I've been looking at routers. And, yes, I'm contemplating using the hub just as a modem. But that doesn't stop me having a bit of a playtime in the meantime. The total lack of documentation (bar the plug-and-play type setup) for the unit is, um, not optimal. It appears to be riddled with 'features' (e.g. the subnetting restrictions, the DHCP server part refusing to not work with MAC addresses tied to IPs). The level of logging in the event log is good (IMO). Shame that it requires a reboot to clear it down. Ignoring the inability to split the wireless into two separate networks the coverage and strength is an improvement on the old TG582n (which only had 2.4GHz, so splitting the 2.4 from th5 is a bit of a moot point here).

The strength of my wallet was recently severely degraded as we had to have our large (long) driveway relaid in is entirety so please excuse any temporary reluctance with regards to retail therapy And the other 'alf dropped a smartphone and cracked the screen. That cost more than a lot of consumer-level routers.

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

greygit — Thu, 26 May 2022 20:02:11 GMT

Mr Pullen

I'm just looking at what the wee beastie can (and can't but should be able to) do. Whilst contemplating my wallet's contents when looking at other routers.

With a desktop, a laptop, a smartphone, a couple of Alexas, a wired CCTV system and the occassional family visitors (sporting a maximum of 4 networked devices in tow) this is hardly anything more than /27 or /28 when it comes to internet use. With about 3.5Mb down and .7Mb (or less than .5Mb since this morning) up it isn't going to support a lot of external traffic.

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

greygit — Fri, 27 May 2022 01:24:47 GMT

Not fixed

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

bobpullen — Mon, 30 May 2022 10:56:38 GMT

@greygit wrote:

gateway 192.168.1.254
subnet mask 255.255.255.240

DHCP
start address 192.168.1.241
end address 192.168.1.253

(avoiding .254 as the router/default gateway, etc.)

The Hub2 throws a hissy fit and informs me that the settings are invalid. Or the subnet is.

I think I still understand my CCNA-level subnetting learnings.

Am I wrong? Have I forgotten something? Or does the Hub2 object to a IPv4 subnet of less than /27 for some (valid) reason?

FYI, I've now replicated this issue and raised it for further consideration (ref: PNHUB2-300).

IMO, it either needs to work, or at the least return a more helpful error dialogue advising why the settings cannot be changed and what the limitations are.

Don't hold your breath for a quick turnaround as it's obviously a pretty low priority defect in the grander scheme of things

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

bobpullen — Mon, 30 May 2022 11:14:59 GMT

@greygit wrote:

Trying to replicate a "no access at all" (00:00 - 24:00 in a standard 24hr clock) isn't possible (except for the predefined 'Default', whose settings cannot be copied). The best that is achievable is 00:00 - 23:45

Using a proper 24 hour clock rather than am/pm is more helpful in preventing such little glitches.

Struggling to replicate this one. I take your point about 24 hour clock nomenclature, however I am able to create a 24/7 blocking rule for a custom group that matches the Default: -

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 30 May 2022 11:37:59 GMT

Would it not be correct to say that 24:00:00 does not exist in an operating systems time settings but 23:59:59 (hh:mm:ss) and as the date changes the time rolls over to 00:00:00 ?

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

greygit — Mon, 30 May 2022 23:05:09 GMT

What settings did you chose in the web interface?

12am to 12 pm didn't work for me. (Half a solution)

Selecting 12am to 12am resulted in a 00;00 - 00:00 effectiveness (as seen/reported in the helpdesk webpage, and not just the gooey which is where the selection occurs).

The helpdesk webpage indicates 00:00 - 24:00 effectiveness for the default group. Sometimes you have to cross-check what is selected with what is reported.

I'm thinking that if you set up other 'groups' (group as you will) and move all known devices into those groups and then block the 'default' group and then wait for a new device and see what happens you may get/see a different outcome. You have to actually use the devices to test the effectiveness.

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

bobpullen — Tue, 31 May 2022 10:06:42 GMT

Right, so what we're saying is that despite being able to create a replica of the default group, the inner workings are actually applying a rule that covers a zero time period, unlike the default rule that accurately covers a 24hr window?

And secondly, creating a custom group that only blocks the 12hr period between 12am and 12pm, assigning devices to it and configuring to block, does not see traffic restricted on those devices during the 12hr active window?

Have I got that right?

FYI, I'll not be able to revisit this until after the Jubille as my network is being used to test something else at the moment.

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

greygit — Tue, 31 May 2022 23:38:08 GMT

Point 1.

Essentially, yes. I'm looking at the event log and what actually happens.

When refreshing the firewall rules the default group has a timespan of 00:00 - 24:00 (this is reported in the event log when any another group is created or updated, even if the default group had not been changed).

Use the web interface to try to replicate that (12am - 12am?) it gets recorded as 00:00 - 00:00 when the firewall rules are refreshed (clicking the 'save' button).

Using a timeframe of 12:00am - 11:45pm does appear to function. The system event log reports when the firewall rules are refreshed/updated that the effective timespan is 00:00-23:45.

Point 2.

When using the web interface to create a timespan for a group of 12am - 12pm the firewall rules get updated and the event log (using a 24hr clock) reports the effective timespan as 00:00 - 12:00.

Then to monitor it you have to watch the counters as reported by the webinterface, or lay direct hands on the device. My test devices are Alexas as they are plugged in and can be rebooted pretty much at will. The pretty coloured lights (if they are correct) confirm that they've received an IP allocation from the gateway. Then a simple voice command confirms whether they get WAN-side.

No sweat on testing. Whenever. I'll just have to find local work-arounds. I fully understand that you've got your local (personal) 'testlab' and there are multiple calls on it (quite possibly more important than this).

Re: Plusnet Hub 2 config

greygit — Tue, 31 May 2022 23:39:29 GMT

System times resolve to a much finer detail that a second. Otherwise how can ping report milliseconds?