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[rob]

Yes the settings are at 40MHz and I have tried tweaking a few things, but only made it worse.
This is what the Zyxel says about the connection to the ipad

Code: [Select]

Connection Type: 802.11n
Connection Rate: 65 Mbps
Link quality: 100%
A speedtest next to the router has just given me 37.4/18.3 Mbps. I think you may be correct with regards to the ipad.  I had a feeling it may be something like this due to the fact speeds dont seem to decrease the further away from the router.  Its only when on a different floor, and through a couple of walls and as far away in the house that I can get from the router that I start to see a real degradation of the speeds..  suggesting that 38Mbps is tops Im going to get on the ipad/ mobile phone.

For comparison, the following is the results at 20MHz

Code: [Select]

Connection Type: 802.11n
Connection Rate: 65 Mbps
Link quality: 100%
Speedtest 35/18.3 Mbps.

I must admit that I'm not really too clued up with iPads (I use Android phones and tablets), but it does look like that it only has a single antenna and doesn't support short guard intervals or 40MHz, much like my 2012 Nexus 7 (which also doesn't support WiFi channels 12 and 13 correctly when used on a 802.11n access point).  Smartphones and tablets are very useful but are often let down by poor wireless hardware.   Given the connection information you've posted I wouldn't worry too much about your speeds.  The connection looks as good as it can be and the speeds will vary depending on many factors (RF continues to be a black art).

Since I upgraded to FTTC last summer my broadband speed is now greater than my wireless speed I can get from my laptop (~65-70Mbps vs 40Mbps WiFi) and whilst there could be scope to improve my broadband speed I see little point given I spend most of my time using my laptop which is now the limiting factor.

If you don't enable short GI this then drops further to 135 or 65Mbps.

OK after looking through all the GUI settings, I came across this page (see cap below)
Note the Preamble setting = "long" by default.
Consulting the user manual tells me this

Choices are Long or Short.  This field is configurable only when you set 802.11 to 802.11b

As a test I just changed it to 802.11b/g Mixed and set the preamble to Short..  and got some pretty abysmal speedtests & regained the deadspot in the corner of the lounge. 
So its back at 802.11b/g/n..... and rather strangely because I didnt change anything else other than mode and preamble...  Im now getting very consistent 41Mbps   Which is the best speed its given so far.

Unless you have some very old 802.11b devices that operate at slow link speeds (1 or 2Mbps) then you don't need a long preamble.  If all your devices are 802.11g or above then a short preamble will work across the board.  Whether this affects actual throughput I don't know as I've never tested it - I've always picked short and moved on.  You certainly don't want to set the 802.11b/g mode as you'll limit yourself to the older 802.11g 54Mbps link rates which will result in your worse throughput.

The guard intervals (think of these as interpacket gaps) are more useful as 802.11n added short GIs which are half the period of the older ones which equates to an increased data rate (roughly 11%) providing both ends support them.  If one device doesn't support them then it'll run with the standard 800ns intervals but won't prevent devices that do support the shorter 400ns intervals from working.  I can't see where this may be enabled in the screenshot you provided so it may be on a different page.

Edit: I've just looked at the manual for the router and I suspect it may be enabling short guard intervals automatically as it refers to 150Mbps for 20MHz channels and 300Mbps for 40MHz which are only obtainable with 2 spatial streams and short GI enabled.

I found that I had to try several WiFi channels (1, 6 and 11) to see which was best for me.  Try to avoid using any of the channels between those as they'll just suffer more interference.  1, 6 and 11 are the only 2.4GHz channels that don't interfere (WiFi radios aren't usually this good and there is still some interference, but it's minimal).  Any channel between these will suffer (and cause) interference to the big 3 either side of it.  Networks sharing channels cause less overall interference than those overlapping.  Mind you, if the networks you are sharing with have signal levels of -80dBm or lower then I wouldn't worry about them.

I would recommend manually selecting a channel rather than having it set to auto since auto normally only works at power on and if the Sky routers nearby are anything to go by then auto means select the same channel as mine.

[kitz]

Thank you so much for your response.   

>> but it does look like that it only has a single antenna and doesn't support short guard intervals or 40MHz

I think you may be right...  iirc in one of my earlier posts I mentioned that I need to borrow a lappy to see if things are any better.  My Galaxy S4 mini has just given me 38Mbps @ speedtest.net & 44.5Mbps on the TBB mobile tester..  but then again the ipad is also performing a bit better at 41Mbps since the other day. 

>> Unless you have some very old 802.11b devices that operate at slow link speeds

I dont think I do - I went straight back to '802.11b/g/n' anyhow because otherwise things are worse.

>>  I can't see where this may be enabled in the screenshot you provided so it may be on a different page.

I couldnt see anything..   as soon as I select  802.11b/g/n Mixed - then the option for Preamble gets disabled. Same if I select 802.11n only...  so you may be right in that it sets it automatically.

I need to have a play sometime with the different channels and go through them all to see which works best for me. 

[kitz]

Ive now written a page for this router - ZyXEL VMG8324-B10A  Review.

In view of the fact that the default firmware's setup guide doesnt work, Ive also written a tutorial on How to configure your router for VDSL.

Ive also heard briefly from someone else who has bought one of these routers and is amazed at the configuration options available.  From what I can gather he too found the set up not the most intuitive, but hopefully the guide Ive provided now should rectify that.

It works out of the box with Erics DLStats - just select Zyxel VMG1213-B
A HG612 modem stats version is still in beta but atm working rather nicely.  Big thank you to BaldEagle1 for all the time he's spent getting modemstats working on the VMG8324, despite not having the router himself.  You wont believe the number of emails that have flown between us the past few weeks.

Ive now had the router 4 weeks, and although there are still a few slight firmware niggles, they are now what I consider cosmetic, and anything major has been ironed out. Considering I appear to be the first using this router for VDSL isnt too unexpected.  ZyXEL support have been pretty good and I cant complain.

On the whole Im very pleased with it and its definitely one to consider if you are looking for a combined VDSL modem router with GbE.

[Ronski]

Nice guides, almost tempted to buy one.

[kitz]

I'm normally loathe to do reviews, just in case what works for me doesnt work for someone else...  or just after I write a review something goes titsup.   Thats why I always try to be reserved about what Ive written.

However in view of the distinct lack of vdsl router choice and how expensive they can be.. I felt that this one being the first to come in at my price range was worth a go, and I promised in this thread that I would.

Im glad I stuck with the early issues and the VDSL config stuff, yes it was a PITA the amount of time Ive spent with Zyxel getting new FW and things sorted, but I feel its been worth it.   I'd rate the router higher if ZyXEL has actually tried to see if the FW worked on UK vdsl though before releasing it in the UK....  rather than waiting for guinea-pigs like me to report issues 

Theres another factor that would be interesting to find out too.   
Ive noticed in the past that some routers that are the best on short lines arent necessarily good on long lines - and vice versa - for eg the 2wire was a complete piece of p00 on my adsl2+ line giving utterly rubbish syncs.    Im not sure what Id be classed as on VDSL - Im no longer classed as a very short line - but its certainly not a long line, I suppose its still shortish     

[dmcdonnell]

Just to report that the bootloader can be unlocked via serial. Generate the seed for your router and enter the code here: http://www.tonycool.es/zyxel/zynpass_en.htm

This will unlock all the CFE commands. It should be possible to flash any suitable firmware. I only have the Eircom firmware but if there are other firmwares available, I am willing to try flashing those.

You can also login, via telnet and browser, using the username supervisor with your admin password. This will enable a Login Privilege button on the main router page. You should then have group supervisor privileges rather than administrator rights.

[les-70]

  @kitz or other ZyXel VMG8324-B10A  owner.  Please could you try the command e.g. "adsl configure  --maxDataRate 78000 19000 100000" the first two numbers just need to be less than any values you normally sync at, the third value need not be changed.  I have not seem any adverse DSLAM response with this on an ECI DSLAM other than an increase in upstream power if I set the upstream max less than about 18Mbs.  I am sure it is quite safe if you only make a small sync reduction. Setting values as low as 60/15 did not cause me any loss of an immediate return to normal at the next resync.

    If it works I will be getting one.  It ought to work but i never quite trust things to work unless tested.  I am concerned not to loose that option as it seems a way to lower the sync a bit and ensure fastpath is maintained.

[kitz]

Please could you try the command e.g. "adsl configure  --maxDataRate 78000 19000 100000"

Sorry to sound thick, but do you know if there is a default setting and how would I take it back to the default.   
atm Im having work done on the house and Ive not been able to get into the computer room each day this week - not without climbing over hurdles of furniture that is stored everywhere but its proper home - so for the next week or so I'll mostly be using the ipad which limits what I can and cant do.

iirc using the above settings will cause a resync?
I know that the setting is there, its just not something I have tried.

[les-70]

   It would cause a resync and to get the default back a reboot and thus a second resync is needed. The default values seem to be all three numbers zero but a given that a resync will occur anyway a reboot is easier.

 If you don't like resyncs please don't bother, I do understand that many are nervous of the consequences of resyncs.  Also given the sound of the work in your house it is probably best left alone. I would hate to give you another problem after some of your recent sagas.  As you say the command is there and most likely will work, however you can't always be sure that commands in "xdslcmd" or "adsl" are actually supported until you try them.  I will probably just take a chance on it working. 

[kitz]

The odd resync doesnt bother me..  Ive been up for 20 days now, the last resync was only due to me powering down before the electrician turned off power.   Electrician is due back next week to finish off, so I expect to have no power next wed morning anyhow.

So if say next Tues eve I try those settings...  Power the router down on Wed am before the leccy comes, then when I power up again on Wed afternoon will it clear them, yet still retain any of my other configs/prefs?

What Im trying to ask, is if by issuing the cmd, then its not something that permanently saves in the config?  and it clears with a simple router
reboot. 

------
ETA

Confirmed not a permanent save to config and clears on a router reboot.

[kitz]

oh sod it - I just went for it. lol

Here you go

Code: [Select]

VMG8324-B10A
Login: admin
Password:
 > adsl configure --maxDataRate 78000 19000 100000
 >

Stats recorded 07 May 2014 22:57:50

DSLAM/MSAN type:           IFTN:0xb203 / v0xb203
Modem/router firmware:     AnnexA version - A2pv6F039i.d24e
DSL mode:                  VDSL2
Status:                    Showtime
Uptime:                    1 min 37 sec
Resyncs:                   0 (since 04 May 2014 23:00:02)
         
            Downstream   Upstream
Attenuation (dB):                
Connection speed (kbps):   77982      18999
SNR margin (dB):           8.8      12.9
Power (dBm):               14.3      5.1
Interleave depth:          1      1
INP:                       0      0

RSCorr/RS (%):             N/A      0.0000
RSUnCorr/RS (%):           N/A      0.0000
ES/hour:                   8.05      0.73

[kitz]

Before

Code: [Select]

HELLO ZyXel VMG8324-B10A
adsl info --pbParams
adsl: ADSL driver and PHY status
Status: Showtime
Last Retrain Reason:    0
Last initialization procedure status:   0
Max:    Upstream rate = 30511 Kbps, Downstream rate = 88973 Kbps
Bearer: 0, Upstream rate = 20000 Kbps, Downstream rate = 79987 Kbps

Discovery Phase (Initial) Band Plan
US: (6,31) (882,1193) (1984,2770)
DS: (33,857) (1218,1959) (2795,4083)
Medley Phase (Final) Band Plan
US: (6,31) (882,1193) (1984,2770)
DS: (41,857) (1218,1959) (2795,4083)
  VDSL Port Details   Upstream   Downstream
Attainable Net Data Rate:           30511 kbps              88973 kbps
Actual Aggregate Tx Power:             4.4 dBm               14.3 dBm
====================================================================================
  VDSL Band Status U0 U1 U2 U3 U4 D1 D2 D3
  Line Attenuation(dB):  0.5     17.8    26.9     N/A     N/A    10.7    23.6    37.0   
Signal Attenuation(dB):  0.4     17.6    26.8     N/A     N/A    10.4    23.4    37.0   
SNR Margin(dB): 11.4 9.7 12.3   N/A   N/A 8.2 8.2 8.2
  TX Power(dBm): -6.6 -28.0 4.0   N/A   N/A 11.8 7.4 7.4
 
Good Bye ZyXel VMG8324-B10A
During

Code: [Select]

HELLO ZyXel VMG8324-B10A
adsl info --pbParams
adsl: ADSL driver and PHY status
Status: Showtime
Last Retrain Reason:    0
Last initialization procedure status:   0
Max:    Upstream rate = 18999 Kbps, Downstream rate = 87334 Kbps
Bearer: 0, Upstream rate = 18999 Kbps, Downstream rate = 77982 Kbps

Discovery Phase (Initial) Band Plan
US: (6,31) (882,1193) (1984,2770)
DS: (33,857) (1218,1959) (2795,4083)
Medley Phase (Final) Band Plan
US: (6,31) (882,1193) (1984,2770)
DS: (41,857) (1218,1959) (2795,4083)
  VDSL Port Details   Upstream   Downstream
Attainable Net Data Rate:           18999 kbps              87334 kbps
Actual Aggregate Tx Power:             5.1 dBm               14.2 dBm
====================================================================================
  VDSL Band Status U0 U1 U2 U3 U4 D1 D2 D3
  Line Attenuation(dB):  0.0     0.0     0.0      N/A     N/A    10.8    23.7    37.3   
Signal Attenuation(dB):  0.0     0.0     0.0      N/A     N/A    10.5    23.6    37.3   
SNR Margin(dB): 0.0 0.0 0.0   N/A   N/A 0.0 0.0 0.0
  TX Power(dBm): -5.9 -27.0 4.8   N/A   N/A 12.0 7.2 7.4
 
Good Bye ZyXel VMG8324-B10A

After

Code: [Select]

HELLO ZyXel VMG8324-B10A
adsl info --pbParams
adsl: ADSL driver and PHY status
Status: Showtime
Last Retrain Reason:    0
Last initialization procedure status:   0
Max:    Upstream rate = 30528 Kbps, Downstream rate = 88372 Kbps
Bearer: 0, Upstream rate = 20000 Kbps, Downstream rate = 79987 Kbps

Discovery Phase (Initial) Band Plan
US: (6,31) (882,1193) (1984,2770)
DS: (33,857) (1218,1959) (2795,4083)
Medley Phase (Final) Band Plan
US: (6,31) (882,1193) (1984,2770)
DS: (41,857) (1218,1959) (2795,4083)
  VDSL Port Details   Upstream   Downstream
Attainable Net Data Rate:           30528 kbps              88372 kbps
Actual Aggregate Tx Power:             5.8 dBm               14.3 dBm
====================================================================================
  VDSL Band Status U0 U1 U2 U3 U4 D1 D2 D3
  Line Attenuation(dB):  0.6     17.7    27.1     N/A     N/A    10.8    23.7    37.3   
Signal Attenuation(dB):  0.5     17.5    27.0     N/A     N/A    10.5    23.5    37.2   
SNR Margin(dB): 14.5 13.1 12.4   N/A   N/A 8.2 8.2 8.2
  TX Power(dBm): -6.0 -26.9 5.5   N/A   N/A 11.8 7.4 7.4
 
Good Bye ZyXel VMG8324-B10A

[les-70]

   That great -- many thanks 

[Balb0wa]

Ive just ordered one of these, could someone please send me the latest firmwares please, thanks

[kitz]

yw les-70



@ balb0wa - I'll pm you the details because I dont think the version I have has yet been officially released for public.  1.00(AAKL.4)b2  - V100AAKL4b2


 Despite that I find it the most stable and the one which fixes most of the issues.   idb is also using this same version too.

Im also unsure if the quick start setup works for vdsl2 and you will likely need to edit the vdsl2 interface.  Details how to do that are here
Set up ZyXEL VMG8324-B10A for VDSL

Good luck