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NOTE: Optimising Linksys Routers (Smart versions)

Riza
Rising Star
Posts: 110
Thanks: 7
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎24-07-2014

NOTE: Optimising Linksys Routers (Smart versions)

Hi all,
I've just noticed that the Linksys firmware has adjusted a form of limit on my downstream bandwidth  Huh
If anyone is using a Linksys router (the newer ones that are so-called "smart", eg ea6400/6300/6700 etc), make sure to change the downstream bandwidth. This seems to limit the connection  Shocked
Go to your admin's interface and press media prioritization and then the settings hyperlink, change the downstream bandwidth to the maximum your line can support  n x 1024=##### (should be able to find it on the high speed broadband connection link) (e.g. If my speed was 74.4 it would 74.4 x 1024)
Next up is going to the internet connection settings and manually adjusting the MTU to 1492

And lastly, the router has seemed to have set the DNS to an BT Retail one automatically (not a Plusnet dns server surprisingly). Be sure to change this to a better DNS provider, such as, OpenDNS or Google's DNS.
Make sure to login LOCALLY through 192.168.1.1 (with the router's password instead of the Linksys Account Login) and not the internet based site as they don't allow you to change the settings on the media prioritization tab.
6 REPLIES 6
ejs
Aspiring Hero
Posts: 5,442
Thanks: 631
Fixes: 25
Registered: ‎10-06-2010

Re: NOTE: Optimising Linksys Routers (Smart versions)

Those DNS servers - 213.120.234.42 and 213.120.234.38 - are the ones automatically assigned if Plusnet Safeguard is enabled for your connection. If you don't want to use them, it would make sense to switch off Safeguard. I think using different DNS servers means Safeguard won't be effective.
If you do want to use Plusnet Safeguard, you need to use the automatically assigned DNS servers.
jsamuel
Grafter
Posts: 27
Registered: ‎20-08-2015

Re: NOTE: Optimising Linksys Routers (Smart versions)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe those are just Plusnet's normal DNS servers. Safeguard is done on the exchange level and I believe PN has a bit of DNS spoofing provided by BTW at the gateway.
dick:quote
SpendLessTime
Hero
Posts: 3,000
Thanks: 928
Fixes: 86
Registered: ‎21-09-2009

Re: NOTE: Optimising Linksys Routers (Smart versions)

Plusnet's normal DNS are

Preferred DNS server: 212.159.13.49
Alternate DNS server: 212.159.13.50
And additionally
212.159.6.9   
212.159.6.10
Ex - Plusnet Customer (2009 - 2023) now with BT
jsamuel
Grafter
Posts: 27
Registered: ‎20-08-2015

Re: NOTE: Optimising Linksys Routers (Smart versions)

Ah, so they're BT's.
> indnsc92.ukcore.bt.net
ejs
Aspiring Hero
Posts: 5,442
Thanks: 631
Fixes: 25
Registered: ‎10-06-2010

Re: NOTE: Optimising Linksys Routers (Smart versions)

This was the thread about safeguard nearer when it was launched: https://community.plus.net/forum/index.php/topic,138055.msg1224413.html#msg1224413
I know that it could be implemented so that it doesn't make any difference which DNS servers you pick, with all DNS traffic re-directed, but what they said about it suggests it's not being done like that.
Riza
Rising Star
Posts: 110
Thanks: 7
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎24-07-2014

Re: NOTE: Optimising Linksys Routers (Smart versions)

Yes I have used Safeguard to block these remote desktop connection sites such as logmein and Ammyy. I won't be using them at all and it does help the family stay safe Wink
I've now used OpenDNS to block malware associated sites and it seems better than Plusnet's DNS. I did a quick tracert and Google search to find its linked to BT. Didn't know Safeguard used their servers. Yes it is effectively changeable for a user to manipulate the DNS.