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Author Topic: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review  (Read 57069 times)

hushcoden

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #195 on: January 21, 2021, 01:47:53 PM »

If you're using the Vigor 166 also as a router, then it's important you set up the 'correct' value there, i.e. if you are on a PPPoE connection then use 1508 (if you want the so called 'baby jumbo frames' and the MTU final value will be 1500), and if you are on a DHCP/IPoE connection just use 1500.

I'm on a PPPoE connection and frankly I see no tangible difference between MTU 1508 (=1500) or 1492.
« Last Edit: January 21, 2021, 02:00:23 PM by hushcoden »
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smallal

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #196 on: January 21, 2021, 06:00:25 PM »

Thanks for the info, I'm sure these niggles will be ironed out in future firmware updates, I'll tweak it down from 1520 to 1508
The default value of 1520 (which is also the max. value) does work but I don't know what the negative effects of a setting this high are.
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hushcoden

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #197 on: January 22, 2021, 11:05:32 AM »

They sent me a RC1 firmware. Its made no difference to missing line stats and no difference to slow speeds etc. 10mb down now on a 60mb line. :( support are responding daily though so hope we get somewhere soon.
They also sent me a beta firmware, 423RC1, and in case I won't bother to install it. Can you confirm you've tried that RC1 firmware and still no errors/stats showing?

Thanks.
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onion

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #198 on: January 22, 2021, 11:44:21 AM »

They also sent me a beta firmware, 423RC1, and in case I won't bother to install it. Can you confirm you've tried that RC1 firmware and still no errors/stats showing?

Thanks.

Firmware Version: 4.2.3_RC1_BT
Edit - FYI - System Up Time: 42:37:55
No line stats, but i dont think it made anything "worse" - i had a stable line overnight for the first time ever at 6db, but i'm down from 3db and 71mb sync to 6db and 59mb now. Dont see any harm in installing it and also trying?
Edit 2 - I am going round in circles with support who dont seem to acknowledge there is an issue with the modem. I get one email back every day or two without actually improving anything. The latest email reads "SNR value and the DSL stats aside, could you help clarify the issue you are experincing with the V166 modem?", after multiple emails fully explaining and providing all line stats, it appears they don't see the huge drops in stablility as a fault. Getting a little fed up now.

Code: [Select]
vdsl status more
Type ? for command help
> vdsl status

  ---------------------- ATU-R Info (hw: annex A, f/w: annex A/B/C) -----------
   Running Mode            :      17A       State                : SHOWTIME
   DS Actual Rate          : 59564000 bps   US Actual Rate       : 19977000 bps
   DS Attainable Rate      : 59890368 bps   US Attainable Rate   : 20238000 bps
   DS Path Mode            :        Fast    US Path Mode         :        Fast
   DS Interleave Depth     :        8       US Interleave Depth  :        4
   NE Current Attenuation  :       17 dB    Cur SNR Margin       :        6  dB
   DS actual PSD           :    12. 8 dB    US actual PSD        :     7. 1  dB
   NE CRC Count            :        0       FE CRC Count         :        0
   NE ES Count             :        0       FE  ES Count         :        0
   Xdsl Reset Times        :        0       Xdsl Link  Times     :        2
   ITU Version[0]          : 00000000       ITU Version[1]       : 00000000
   VDSL Firmware Version   : 12-3-2-3-0-5   [with Vectoring support]
   Power Management Mode   : DSL_G997_PMS_L0
   Test Mode               : DISABLE
  -------------------------------- ATU-C Info ---------------------------------
   Far Current Attenuation :        0 dB    Far SNR Margin       :        6  dB
   CO ITU Version[0]       : 00b54442       CO ITU Version[1]    : 4d4390c1
   DSLAM CHIPSET VENDOR    : < ----- >
> vdsl status more

  ---------------------- ATU-R Info (hw: annex A, f/w: annex A/B/C) -----------
                      Near End                 Far End  Note
 Trellis      :      0                1
 Bitswap      :      0                0
 ReTxEnable       :      1                1
 VirtualNoise     :      0                0
 20BitSupport     :      0                0
 LatencyPath      :      0                0
 LOS          :      0                0
 LOF          :      0                0
 LPR          :      0                0
 LOM          :      0                0
 SosSuccess       :      0                0
 NCD          :      0                0
 LCD          :      0                0
 FECS          :      0                0 (seconds)
 ES           :      0                0 (seconds)
 SES          :      0                0 (seconds)
 LOSS          :      0                0 (seconds)
 UAS          :      0                0 (seconds)
 HECError      :      0                0
 CRC          :      0                0
 INP          :    225              235 (symbols)
 INTLVDelay       :      0                0 (1/100 ms)
 NFEC          :    255              244
 RFEC          :     10                8
 LSYMB          :   5251             15498
 INTLVBLOCK       :    255              244
 AELEM          :      0             ----


« Last Edit: January 22, 2021, 12:26:44 PM by onion »
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re0

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #199 on: January 22, 2021, 01:07:09 PM »

... after multiple emails fully explaining and providing all line stats, it appears they don't see the huge drops in stablility as a fault. Getting a little fed up now.

Because it's not a fault. It's how the chipset performs on your line. I wouldn't touch Lantiq/Intel when I was on VDSL2 or ADSL2+, and I would still be a bit wary now on G.fast.

I would be fed up, too. But I would just return it and find an equivalent Broadcom-based product.

If there is a firmware that comes out that somehow manages to "fix" this and get everyone back up and running on 3 dB, I will eat my words.

I am not denying there might be issues on the router side that can be fixed, but the modem is held back by the chipset.
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ISP: Gigaclear - Hyperfast 900 (up to 940 Mbps symmetrical)

onion

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #200 on: January 22, 2021, 01:26:36 PM »

Because it's not a fault. It's how the chipset performs on your line. I wouldn't touch Lantiq/Intel when I was on VDSL2 or ADSL2+, and I would still be a bit wary now on G.fast.

I would be fed up, too. But I would just return it and find an equivalent Broadcom-based product.

If there is a firmware that comes out that somehow manages to "fix" this and get everyone back up and running on 3 dB, I will eat my words.

I am not denying there might be issues on the router side that can be fixed, but the modem is held back by the chipset.

Thank you! really good points and I haven't actually thought about it that way. I just assume that when draytek release a modem like this, it should at least be comparable / within 5% of alternatives. But i'm learning the hard way that the chipset is a huge factor that i didnt really take in to consideration. Are others on vdsl going to do the same thing or wait out and hope? Can you recommend any broadcom based modems which are decent?
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Newfie

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #201 on: January 22, 2021, 01:56:28 PM »

Mines still up and being a beta tester for other manufacturers I’m more than happy to help out regardless of the time scale, so in between testing routers I’ll help out with the modem.
No issues with support so far.
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re0

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #202 on: January 22, 2021, 02:44:54 PM »

Can you recommend any broadcom based modems which are decent?
I typically only use modem-router combos - if you are looking for a modem-only device, I cannot advise.

For some time I used a Billion BiPac 8800NL (not R2) in bridge mode for its modem when I was on VDSL2 - lacking jumbo frame support, if that's something you really care about. Pretty sure it's EOL now anyway.

I found the Zyxel XMG3927-B50A to be a great modem-router combo on G.fast, and I imagine VDSL2 performance would be just as good. Would be overkill to use as only a modem, however.
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ISP: Gigaclear - Hyperfast 900 (up to 940 Mbps symmetrical)

Guest_1

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #203 on: January 22, 2021, 03:16:48 PM »

Thank you for all your suggestions - for now, v166 is connected and appears to be stable. I managed to find some time this evening to convince the tribe to use my phone's hotspot while I test a few things.
There was a question on if this is my first 3rd party router - its not, but the first in a few years.

Here is how I got on:

-I'm on a Huawei cabinet ~150m away. Just wanted to validate, as I know this could be a factor.
-Before disconnecting the HG612 3B (unlocked with Howlingwolf's firmware B030SP08), I checked the xDSL status page (attached). I'm not qualified to tell if this is all as it should be. My observation is the lower than expected downstream sync compared to attainable.

Swiftly moving on to the Draytek, connected it directly to the laptop and opened the webUI
-Firmware on the Vigor 166 is the 4.1.1 UK version
-Attempted to connect directly via PPPoE and then realized I have little time to learn how to do this in Windows 10.
-I changed the modem's LAN IP config so that it can work on my router's subnet with a static IP. I'm hoping this might help enable access the webUI later. Reboot and reconnect via laptop
-Left modem in bridge mode, set DSL mode to VDSL2 only, changed MTU to 1500 (reboot again)
-Connect P1 on Vigor to WAN port on router, and P2 to one of the LAN ports (this is also how I had the HG612 setup)
-Restart router, connect laptop to wifi, direct browser to the modem's LAN IP. Draytek login page loaded - at least this works!
-Check WAN status on router UI: connected. Public internet working.
-Back to the Draytek webUI. Sync rate same as the HG612 (59.9mbps down, 19.9mbps up), errors all 0, down SnR is lower (9dB vs 13.9dB)
-I spent a couple of hours checking the system logs on the router every few minutes, connection is still up.

So at least for now it appears to be working and stable. The next few days will tell more.


EDIT/UPDATE: after several hours of stability the WAN connection started to cycle again.

If you are using Merlin's firmware, here is a definitely working way of accessing modem interface through the router:

1. Give your modem an IP that is outside the router's ip range. (Your IP numbers 192.168.0.1 for modem and 192.168.1.1 for router are ok).

2. Enable jffs partition.

3. You need to add two scripts to the /jffs/scripts directory, namely wan-start and nat-start scripts.


wan-start script :

#!/bin/sh
ifconfig `nvram get wan0_ifname`:0 192.168.0.2 netmask 255.255.255.0

Note : the IP number shown in bold must be one more than your modem's IP. If your modem's ip is 192.168.0.1 then it must be written as 192.168.0.2.

[Moderator edited to add the bbc code markup for bold text at the IP address, so as to correspond with what is written in the above note.]

nat-start script :

#!/bin/sh
iptables -t nat -I POSTROUTING -o `nvram get wan0_ifname` -j MASQUERADE



Before adding scripts, you can check if this works for you easily. Just SSH to your router and enter the commands in the scripts (you can use copy-paste). Then open a browser session to your modem (192.168.0.1 in your case) and there is your modem interface.

Adding scripts just makes sure that the commands are run on router startup.
« Last Edit: January 22, 2021, 05:01:07 PM by burakkucat »
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smallal

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #204 on: January 22, 2021, 09:44:44 PM »

I see some EU retailers are now taking pre-orders for the 2nd generation (212Mhz) model (V166-A GEN 2).
The price seems to be about the same as the GEN 1.
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Guest_1

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #205 on: January 23, 2021, 01:18:32 PM »

Not sure Gen 2 is worth it tbh as I cant see BT using G.Fast 212Mhz for quite a while and the Gen 1 is capable enough. I think we wont see a UK variant for a while as I don't know anywhere 212Mhz is being used, although I may be wrong there. FTTP is better than spending time sweating copper for those within a few hundred meters. G.Fast should have always been to the DP not the cab. Its really just a stop gap as I see it.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2021, 01:20:47 PM by Guest_1 »
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j0hn

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #206 on: January 23, 2021, 02:24:13 PM »

OpenReach originally talked about G.Fast being FTTrN (fibre to the remote node).

Something similar to how FTTP is deployed from the splitter works best, but even that is overkill
A single G.Fast pod serving multiple DP's.
Deeper in the network than the PCP but not right to the DP.

G.Fast to the DP would be madness. It's just overkill.

If you bring fibre that far then FTTP should be installed.
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Talktalk FTTP 550/75 - Speedtest - BQM

Guest_1

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #207 on: January 23, 2021, 04:36:23 PM »

Its still sweating copper, its out of date, and with the dial tone being removed on new and in 5 years old lines, and with my ISP offering SOGEA now, a FTTP rollout instead of G.Fast would have been a better move. Have a nice Day.
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onion

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Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #208 on: January 25, 2021, 08:18:16 AM »

Hi all
Just wanted to give a little update - I'm going to return the modem now. I've dropped from 71mb down to 52.6mb using this modem and it just gets worse every day. Thank you for all your help and advice - really great forum! wish you all the best of luck with this modem going forward!

Code: [Select]
> vdsl status

  ---------------------- ATU-R Info (hw: annex A, f/w: annex A/B/C) -----------
   Running Mode            :      17A       State                : SHOWTIME
   DS Actual Rate          : 52617000 bps   US Actual Rate       : 18628000 bps
   DS Attainable Rate      : 60126500 bps   US Attainable Rate   : 18632000 bps
   DS Path Mode            :        Fast    US Path Mode         :        Fast
   DS Interleave Depth     :        4       US Interleave Depth  :        1
   NE Current Attenuation  :       17 dB    Cur SNR Margin       :        6  dB
   DS actual PSD           :    11. 6 dB    US actual PSD        :     7. 1  dB
   NE CRC Count            :        0       FE CRC Count         :        0
   NE ES Count             :        0       FE  ES Count         :        0
   Xdsl Reset Times        :        0       Xdsl Link  Times     :        6
   ITU Version[0]          : 00000000       ITU Version[1]       : 00000000
   VDSL Firmware Version   : 12-3-2-3-0-5   [with Vectoring support]
   Power Management Mode   : DSL_G997_PMS_L0
   Test Mode               : DISABLE
  -------------------------------- ATU-C Info ---------------------------------
   Far Current Attenuation :        0 dB    Far SNR Margin       :        6  dB
   CO ITU Version[0]       : 00b54442       CO ITU Version[1]    : 4d4390c1
   DSLAM CHIPSET VENDOR    : < ----- >
> vdsl status more

  ---------------------- ATU-R Info (hw: annex A, f/w: annex A/B/C) -----------
                      Near End                 Far End  Note
 Trellis      :      0                1
 Bitswap      :      0                0
 ReTxEnable       :      1                1
 VirtualNoise     :      1                1
 20BitSupport     :      0                0
 LatencyPath      :      0                0
 LOS          :      0                0
 LOF          :      0                0
 LPR          :      0                0
 LOM          :      0                0
 SosSuccess       :      0                0
 NCD          :      0                0
 LCD          :      0                0
 FECS          :      0                0 (seconds)
 ES           :      0                0 (seconds)
 SES          :      0                0 (seconds)
 LOSS          :      0                0 (seconds)
 UAS          :      0                0 (seconds)
 HECError      :      0                0
 CRC          :      0                0
 INP          :      0              285 (symbols)
 INTLVDelay       :    100                0 (1/100 ms)
 NFEC          :    254              236
 RFEC          :     14                8
 LSYMB          :   4958             14319
 INTLVBLOCK       :    127              236
 AELEM          :      0             ----

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Guest_1

  • Guest
Re: Draytek Vigor 166 G.fast Modem / Router Review
« Reply #209 on: January 25, 2021, 01:33:32 PM »

No idea how you've lost so much throughput mines stayed the same for almost a week now. Guess you have a line issue or maybe its turning on and off to many times that's upset the DLM as the modem isn't causing those issues for me. Unless you had a faulty unit of course. Draytec Support have been most helpful too. The fact your inteleave depth is only 4 is odd as well. I would chat with your ISP as you are on fastpath.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2021, 01:35:57 PM by Guest_1 »
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