What Router are you using?

Bill - I couldn't see the word 'switch' mentioned. However these devices support GigE ports. 1000BaseT is always duplex. Network hubs can only operate, by the definition of what they are, in half duplex mode. Therefore a 1000BaseT running at GigE port speed must connect as a duplex connection.. and therefore be a switched access.

Mike - I suspect for the average punter using social media or downloading iTunes AAC files, these  software based devices (most in my experience are little Unix machines)  are ample - but it would appear for more demanding consumers they fail.

I did read the HH5 is improved in performance and efficiency  because of the hugely higher data rates it has to deal with Infinity.

Simon

BT HH has Gig ports?  Are you sure?

Yes looking at the spec for HH 4r (what is the difference between 4 & 4r?), it has:

-1 x RJ45 Gigabit WAN interface for BT Infinity
-3x RJ45 Ethernet LAN ports
-1 x Gigabit Ethernet

I am pretty sure my GT HH2 doesn't have the gig port, I will check.

ps the HH5 has four gig ports - well I never.

I see the HH 4R does not support BT TV, you need the HH 4 for that.  I have no idea why this is the case because I do not have BT TV but I assume.... well I don't know what I assume really.

Ya know when you look at reviews for routers on Amazon there are always a lot of really bad ones, whatever the router.  Now that might mean there are a lot of thickos out there too lazy to ring the support line.

I have the mighty asus RT AC68U connected to a virgin hub in modem only mode. From this a 24 port manged switch in the loft

The asus is an amazing device, well recommended.

Of the switch down to the office I have an asus rt n68u, though its basically acting as a switch and wireless extender.

Spend some money on a decent router, it makes such a massive difference. Then spend some money on the server, people running these 300 quid NASes and wondering why every thing is so slow, there is a reason for that.

I have an old dell 2950 server in the garage, it the only place for it as it sounds like an airplane. 16 gigs of ram, 8 cores, main OS running on a couple of SAS drives with the main content on 4 1.5tb drives in raid. Backing upto a proliant server. Its seriously fast, music and video service are lightning and it cost 140 quid.

Bit excessive for a domestic environment. What on earth are you doing with it ?

You got a Dell and a Proliant server for £150.  The Dell server can't be that old to have 8 cores (i7 or amd?), coupled to 4 1.5 TB drives and drives on the proliant big enough to back it all up.  That was a good deal.

Me too Mike, I think it's a no-brainer.

HH3 has a gig port - I run a cable to a gig switch then connect everything to there and all seems fine.

Well spotted, the proliant was another purchase, though to be fair, 100 quid (there was a 100 uid cash back deal on them, it comes up quite often) 

The dell server was 140 quid. Yes its 8 cores, yes it was 16 gigs, and yes they come up on ebay all of the time. Be warned, they are so noisy, its not even funny. I dread to think what electric t uses, up to 900watts apparently, though I think it hovers around 250.

I was sent this today which I thought was more relevant to this thread than in Best Jokes. Forgive me if you don't agree.

Excellent picture above!  Sums up support of so many people!

i've also been using Billion Bipac 7800N with no problems for over 3 years.  Turned off the wireless, and feeding a Netgear GS116E which also feeds an Apple AirPort Extreme (for wireless duties).  All works superbly, and HH3 has been consigned to loft for many years now.  Whole house now wired for ethernet (Cat 6), with 16 wall sockets around the place.  Allows loads of flexibility and connectivity.

George.

Slightly off topic,  but it fits into this thread really well.

Yesterday evening I downloaded a 24/192 WAV double album from Naim, a huge 10Gb file, & my BT HH3 overheated – the case was very hot & it lost wireless, it was smelling distressed & was far too hot for plastic. It had done the same a few months ago when I tried to use the hub as a network switch.

The hub has one ethernet cable to the switch between NAS & NDX.  This single cable is the only connection & is only used for iRadio & the occasional download.

As always I use a temporary ethernet cable into the hub for downloading to my laptop (its faster than wireless) The download took about 1 hour, then straight away I started the upload to NAS – at that point I left it to complete that task.  After about 1 hour it had not completed the upload,  then I picked up the iPad & found no wireless.  I went to the hub to check the status lights (wireless light was out) & it was then that I touched the hot case.

This is really concerning; I checked BT forum & other www & found similar events.

I am now in contact with BT (in writing) as I do not consider it to be safe & I am very reluctant to use it again for downloading.  My guess it was the download traffic, but it is supposed to do that & other network traffic work & as such it has to be classified as not fit for purpose. 

I’ll keep this updated.  

I use a Linksys EA6500 (branded as Cisco since Linksys was owned by Cisco at the time) and a Hitron hub in modem mode. My local cable company, Rogers, used to provide Cisco hubs but recently "upgraded"...too bad, this new Hitron box is ugly.

I also use Cisco (aka Linksys) switches in the house to distribute. Since I use my main custom-made computer a lot, it stays on 24/7 so no need for a NAS yet. But at some point, might be time for one.

Arun

BTW, great picture Steve. Reminds me of conversations I've had with various people.  

That does sound serious Mike.  10gb is a big download and then to distribute across your network, that is a lot of traffic.

Bill yes its a big download,  but so what?, file size shouldn't affect the hub operation - should it (???)

File size x line mps = time - the limiting factor is line mps.(isn't it?)

IMO this is simply that the hub is incapable of handling traffic over time - surely passing data from www to PC or PC to NAS thru the hub should be able to run continuously without hitting this kind of overheat failure.

Anyhow I am leaving this to BT - no response as yet, I'm patient until Monday.  The hub does the basic wireless www stuff just fine, but anything more & it seems to be just not up to it. That said since yesterdays event I have now become a little concerned with its idle running temp at 15'c above room temp & the few degrees rise when running iRadio.

It may well be this individual hub, but for sure its not gonna be around much longer - with or without BT.  

Meanwhile any new downloads are going in via the Netgear switch.  

I was thinking more about network loading really.  But the thing is if the hub is rated at a certain 'speed' then it should be able to handle it.  Not only that you can bet your life that you weren't operating anywhere near its max.

Have you done a speed test on your internet connection?

Internet speed is around 15mbps, but that's just the download, the hub overheated, or at least I found it overheated at the end of the 1 hr (aprx) upload to NAS, internet is not involved in that process.

My previous post on "line speed" was referring to the wireless or wired link between laptop & hub.

Wireless speed varies with 72mbps max. Ethernet connected gets 130mbps.

OK, I misread that.  Difficult to know what to say really.  I can only think that it was generating an enormous of traffic and got into an (almost) endless loop.

Modern day CPUs can throttle themselves back when they get too warm but it don't sound like you hub can.

Its pretty simple, the hub is knackered. 

bin it and buy a decent adsl modem router.

Such as a DrayTek.

Gary its tempting,  but I am mindful (based on experience) that my phone/BB service provider, or any of the other service providers will be less keen on supporting problems that "might" be caused by another make router. 

What router/modem would you recommend ??

Mike, looked into this a little more. I said earlier the HH3 most likely had a software switch, hence possibly impacting performance, but it appears, (and this is only my personal view) that HH3 actually has a firewall between each port and it wifi. Therefore to use certain non web (http) services  one has to go into the advanced settings and open up the ports. 

Now this says to me each packet passing through the HH3 is being software processed and therefore could be adding to the load you are seeing.

I dont know if the HH3,supports BT TV, I suspect not... But that app processes a vast amount of data. Perhaps BT will give you a more modern higher performance HH when you get a response from them.

Mike if you do go the do-it-yourself route, a DrayTek Vigor 120 modem works well with BT and you can get from Dabs or the BT Shop. You can connect via PPPoverEthernet to the router of your choice (supporting PPPoE). I do this into an Apple Airport TimeCapsule... And it works a treat with everything I throw at it at home, including IPSec VPNs

Simon

+1 for Draytek Vigor 120 which is also available on Amazon and works excellent as a modem for the Apple Time Capsule (PPPoE)

Simon,  I'm obliged for your feedback.  

Your summary more or less fits with what have found out in the last 24hrs about HH3 (sounds like "that" train line)    The only thing I can't find is operating temperature spec's. Even in the full tech data sheet,  no mention,  not even ambient limits range.  

I had set port forwarding some while ago & to specific IP address's    

My PC port forwarded thru HTTPS - obviously this is only applicable when wire connected which I only do when downloading.

NDX for iRadio port forwarded thru HTTP (www)

Not too sure its working tho'  its all well & good making these settings available,  but how does Mr.Average without knowhow & meters tell that its working ??  yes I know there are programs for this,  but what about Mr Average.  

But whatever it is an unhappy HH3 & I hope BT do something positive when they eventually do call - not impressed after 36 hrs other than a "we got yr message but we're busy"

I will be calling Kalcutta/Bangalore tomorrow a.m. if I don't get a call or e-mail.   

I've not looked that hard into alternative routers,  but the Draytek will get the thumbs down from the Director of Domestic Services - its the wrong colour    

Mike, the Vigor 120  is 'computer cream' and about the size of large box of kitchen matches... The DDS probably wouldn't even notice it...

Just out of interest, do you guys plug the router and modem into the same mains circuit as the main hifi or keep it separate - as I now plan to do, because of the comments about SMPS equipped items effecting hifi components with linear power supplies?