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Technical News & Discussion => Networking & Routers => Other manufacturers => Topic started by: Bill on Jun 09, 2011, 14:59:30

Title: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on Jun 09, 2011, 14:59:30
For those interested, the non-beta version of the 1.06d firmware has been available for a day or two:

http://www.billion.uk.com/esupport/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=viewdownload&downloaditemid=282

Everything still seems to be working :fingers:
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on Jun 09, 2011, 15:46:16
I've just done a file comparison of this release as it's the same date and size as the version I've been using for a couple of weeks and the binary information is exactly the same. :dunno:
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: pctech on Jun 09, 2011, 15:51:26
Whoa!  I thought I was geeky  ;D
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on Jun 09, 2011, 15:58:54
They released a 1.06d version on or around the 26th May and then a 1.06d version on the 7th of June claiming this to be the official release, it was quicker to check the binary data than update the router firmware.


For those without developer tools installed on the Mac KDiff3 seems to do the job

http://kdiff3.sourceforge.net/
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on Jun 09, 2011, 16:02:51
Mine are slightly different- the "new" file is 12 bytes bigger, and the Mac says it's a Unix executable whereas the older one is a document :dunno:
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on Jun 09, 2011, 16:13:35
The other file I found Bill was from a link on TBB which has exactly the same characteristics to your 'old' file- UKBillion7800NV6_1.06d.dc1.afw.

I think Billion have been doing a bit of spring cleaning and also published a release note this time
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on Jun 09, 2011, 16:20:41
Yup, that's the "old" one, it was allegedly the beta.

You could be right about the spring-cleaning.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on Jun 09, 2011, 16:25:37
I'd be interested to see how the IPv6 stands up as I've had to reboot a couple of times to regain IPv6 connectivity.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on Jun 09, 2011, 16:39:00
Quote from: Steve on Jun 09, 2011, 16:25:37
I'd be interested to see how the IPv6 stands up as I've had to reboot a couple of times to regain IPv6 connectivity.

I've had no troubles with IPv6 :dunno:

I did have problems at one time when I tried to use fixed IPs on the WAN side, but then I decided I couldn't think why I'd ever need them so now I'm getting the WAN side IPs from IDNet and running fixed IPs (v4 and v6) on the iMac, but the laptops use DHCP for both.

There's a firewall entry to allow pings through to the iMac (so I can run the pingtest on test-ipv6.com) and it all seems to work well.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on Jun 09, 2011, 16:54:08
I just wondered Bill whether it was an issue with this firmware or something else  everything looks ok with regards IPv6 addresses and IPv6 DNS but no IPv6 connectivity. It's happened twice in the last 7 days. I do not recall similar with the beta 1.06c
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on Jun 09, 2011, 17:20:21
Actually I've just remembered... on a couple of occasions (and I can't remember which firmware versions I was running) I've lost IPv6 with nothing odd showing on the router, on both occasions it happened when the router had been up for about three and a half days.

But it's not repeatable, and I've no idea whether it's the router or something at IDNet.

IIRC I didn't have to do a reboot- a simple disconnect and reconnect from the status page cleared it.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on Jun 28, 2011, 13:23:53
Quote from: Bill on Jun 09, 2011, 17:20:21
But it's not repeatable

Yes it is, if you do the right repeating...

Every 84 hours (ie twice a week) after a connection is established, something runs in the router that interacts with the IPv6 DHCP. If the initial connection is the one made during a restart, the first run clashes with a 12-hour DHCP request from my print server and the IPv6 promptly bombs out. A disconnect/reconnect puts the two out of phase and lo! no more problems :thumb:

It's taken me over two weeks to track that down, a problem that only occurs twice a week is a right royal PITA :bawl:

Workaround- after a router restart, wait a while (a few minutes is probably enough) and perform a disconnect/reconnect.

A ticket has been submitted to Billion, but I made it clear it was just for information possibly pertinent to the next firmware release so I'm not expecting a response.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: pctech on Jun 28, 2011, 14:12:50
This router seems seriously high maintennce for something that costs £120.

Hardly set it and forget it is it?

Others have had my poor experience when using it with ADSL, glad I sent it back I have to say.

Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on Jun 28, 2011, 14:27:07
It seemed to be a hurried release of 1.06.dc1 (the beta) to the official version, I tend to regard the IPv6 side as still in late beta :P

There's a few bits that appear in the log that look like debug messages for the developers that they forgot to take out- they've been made aware of them!

I'm surprised at your ADSL experience, the messages I've seen on tbb seem to commend it for its ability to sync high and hold on... the tweakable target SNR doesn't hurt it any either.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: pctech on Jun 28, 2011, 14:44:58
I suspect I had a Friday afternoon one  ;D but TBH at the time I did not have the time nor was in the state of mind to pursue issues with Billion UK.

After my tweaking of the MTU after discussions with Zen tech support I was on 2.4 although I pulled the cable while the storms passed by last night and am now down to 2150.

MikroTik have been mentioned favourably too so I may have a look.

Alternatively I may just stick with the DG834G for the moment and see what Zen release as they say they test the models thoroughly before offering them for sale.

Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on Jun 28, 2011, 14:53:47
Of no interest to you I suspect (yet, anyway), but Billion have a VDSL2 modem with a 4-port Ethernet switch out now:

http://www.billion.uk.com/product/vdsl/8200m.htm

Doesn't seem to be in the shops yet so can't find a price, but could be a useful replacement for the OR modem if it's reasonable- it goes up to 100Mbps on the VDSL2 side, which I'm not sure if the OR modem will do.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Gary on Jun 28, 2011, 15:14:49
If it works...leave it  ;D IPV6 can knock on my door when routers have got it sorted and its not so 'new' same with OS X Lion and anything new now, I like my life as simple as possible tech wise.  ;D
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Glenn on Jun 28, 2011, 15:33:32
It's available from £74.49, according to a shopping search on Google

Quote from: Bill on Jun 28, 2011, 14:53:47
Of no interest to you I suspect (yet, anyway), but Billion have a VDSL2 modem with a 4-port Ethernet switch out now:

http://www.billion.uk.com/product/vdsl/8200m.htm

Doesn't seem to be in the shops yet so can't find a price, but could be a useful replacement for the OR modem if it's reasonable- it goes up to 100Mbps on the VDSL2 side, which I'm not sure if the OR modem will do.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on Jun 28, 2011, 15:34:36
Quote from: pctech on Jun 28, 2011, 14:12:50
This router seems seriously high maintennce for something that costs £120.

Hardly set it and forget it is it?

Others have had my poor experience when using it with ADSL, glad I sent it back I have to say.


I strongly disagree this router's adsl performance on my line is rock solid , The IPv6 implemenatation  has a few quirks, ignore that and use IPv4 only and it's a damned fine router IMO.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: pctech on Jun 28, 2011, 15:42:23
I can get 100 Mbps FTTP where I am but am waiting to see if the price is right at the end of the summer.

Zen did me a deal on my ADSL sub so am loathed to move off it unless they will haggle a bit on the price for FTTP or VDSL 2.

No doubt I could go to BT and get it for peanuts but that of course means having to deal with the BT script monkeys when it goes pear shaped.

Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on Jun 28, 2011, 18:04:13
Quote from: Glenn on Jun 28, 2011, 15:33:32
It's available from £74.49, according to a shopping search on Google


Cheers Glenn, I wonder what I typed in wrong? :dunno:

A bit much for a spare modem at the moment...
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: pctech on Jun 28, 2011, 18:17:51
Quote from: Steve on Jun 28, 2011, 15:34:36
I strongly disagree this router's adsl performance on my line is rock solid , The IPv6 implemenatation  has a few quirks, ignore that and use IPv4 only and it's a damned fine router IMO.

I probably got one built in the dying moments of a Friday shift  ;D

Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on Jun 28, 2011, 18:19:00
I think it was either faulty or just didn't suit your line/dslam combination.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: pctech on Jun 28, 2011, 18:22:32
it was supposed to be broadcom based which the netgear I have is too.

When I plugged in a 2700 it reported the DSLAM manufacturer as ALCB which I understand indicates Alcatel-Lucent.

Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on Jun 28, 2011, 18:25:53
Of the top of my head it's the same chipset as the DGND3300
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on Nov 05, 2011, 21:58:07
I'm a  couple of days late but 1.06e is out


http://www.billion.uk.com/esupport/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/287/79/7800n-106e-firmware

Not tried it yet.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on Apr 04, 2012, 07:02:20
Been available since mid March in the UK

http://www.billion.uk.com/esupport/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/301/79/bipac-7800n-firmware-106fdc1. I am using it on fttc although I'm not supposed to have loaded the saved config file from 106e following the upgrade and reset
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: psp83 on Apr 04, 2012, 13:00:58
Quote from: Steve on Apr 04, 2012, 07:02:20
Been available since mid March in the UK

http://www.billion.uk.com/esupport/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/301/79/bipac-7800n-firmware-106fdc1. I am using it on fttc although I'm not supposed to have loaded the saved config file from 106e following the upgrade and reset

I have the following : Software Version 1.06d

Do you know what this firmware update changes / adds ?
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on Apr 04, 2012, 14:29:15
Only from the release notes on the Australian site

http://au.billion.com/product/wireless/fd_wireless/bipac7800n.php
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: psp83 on Apr 04, 2012, 14:56:52
I've just updated, getting IP v6 working again was a task though :-\

But on the plus side, my profile has now increased with the reset / re connect  ;D
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on Apr 16, 2012, 11:21:27
Quote from: psp83 on Apr 04, 2012, 14:56:52
I've just updated, getting IP v6 working again was a task though :-\

What was the problem?

I'm still using 1.06e, and that's got an oddity- if I uncheck the "Enable IPv6" box and restart, it still connects using IPv6  :mad:

Which is a pita, 'cos I've got a problem with tbb's Flash speedtester which I think may be related to v6.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: psp83 on Apr 16, 2012, 13:18:39
I had that problem but with enabling it.

I checked the enable box, saved the config and restarted... just like I did when I first got it... but this time it didn't save my selection..

Configuration > WAN > WAN Profile

The only way I got mine to remember the selection was to check / uncheck the box then click on the "edit / delete" button under "When you finish configuring all WAN settings, please click the 'Restart' button for these changes to take effect."

Then click save config & then restart.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on Apr 16, 2012, 13:31:35
Ah, a feature rather than a bug  :P

Only a real problem if you don't know about it, thanks.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Glenn on Apr 16, 2012, 13:46:28
Is it a known known, a known unknown, or an unknown known, though?
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on Apr 16, 2012, 13:52:22
Quote from: Glenn on Apr 16, 2012, 13:46:28
Is it a known known, a known unknown, or an unknown known, though?

Well I know it, you know it and Paul knows it- I am not my brother's keeper  :P
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on May 19, 2012, 08:12:56
http://www.billion.uk.com/esupport/index.php?/News/NewsItem/View/16/new-bipac-7800n-firmware-106g-release



Not tried it myself yet.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Lance on May 19, 2012, 13:02:45
Wimp!
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: psp83 on May 19, 2012, 13:08:42
QuoteYou must reset back to factory default settings after the firmware upgrade, this is to ensure all changes within the firmware are implemeneted correctly.

Do not restore settings from previous firmware builds

This firmware has a improved wireless driver, also supports SKY MER authentication for ADSL

I hate all this "reset back to factory default" when upgrading the firmware..

I've only just recently spent time setting up the router, firewall, ports. ip addresses.... *sigh*
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Bill on May 19, 2012, 13:20:59
I'm still using 1.06e... the changelogs don't indicate that they've fixed anything that I've had any problem with, and if it ain't broke, why fix it? ;D


I hate the "reset to factory" as well... it shouldn't be too difficult to make a "Settings" file that is independent of the release version, and just records differences from defaults :rant2:
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on May 19, 2012, 13:44:51
I'll try it when I have the energy.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Niall on May 19, 2012, 17:37:24
Mine works so I won't bother.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: psp83 on Jun 18, 2012, 15:06:31
Quote from: Steve on May 19, 2012, 13:44:51
I'll try it when I have the energy.

Did you get the energy to try it ?  :P
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Glenn on Jun 18, 2012, 15:07:53
No, he's gone on holiday to get some.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Steve on Jul 01, 2012, 14:39:26
I have tried it, it's been up and running for 15 days whilst I've been away with no issues reported back.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Lance on Jul 01, 2012, 14:56:10
I've been running the latest firmware for a couple of weeks without issue, a few days on ADSL2+ and the rest on FTTC.
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: psp83 on Jul 01, 2012, 19:47:47
Notice any improvements with wifi?
Title: Re: Billion 7800N firmware
Post by: Lance on Jul 01, 2012, 22:46:46
The router is new so I didn't run it on the older firmware. Wireless does show an increased range and strength over my old netgear dgn2200 but the additional external aerial will be helping that.