Roku Netflix app problem on Vodafone Station SHG1500 (8.8.8.8 DNS blocking)

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manaia

272 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#148829 2-Jul-2014 10:25

Vodafone tech support set up my DNS for Unblock-US on my Vodafone modem (SHG1500) because the UI doesn't allow me to do it. Netflix was working great on PCs, IPAD and Roku. Now the Roku Netflix app has 8.8.8.8 hardcoded as the DNS so I'm out of region again (as mentioned in other posts).

I went back to Vodafone for help blocking 8.8.8.8 on the modem but they have come back with "Your query in regards to the advanced settings in your modem is unfortunately unsupported by us, however, the manufacturers - Huawei, will be able to provide the technical support you need to resolve your issue. Their contact number is 0800 451 199." I have spoken to Huawei and they say the device doesn't support blocking this DNS.

I could replace the SHG1500 but it is new and shiny, and I'm cheap. I have my old VF modem still (an older Huawei) but I'm reluctant to mess about with my main service to the family. I'm thinking of adding the old Huawei as a secondary WiFi source and hopefully blocking 8.8.8.8 on it. I already have a seconday Airport Extreme for WiFi but it doesn't allow IP blocking.

Can anyone offer advice, please?

rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 49

#1078579 2-Jul-2014 13:08

Hi see if in the Home Station their is a setting akin to parental control you may be able to add their.

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manaia

272 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#1078593 2-Jul-2014 13:13

Thanks - tried 'n' died on that one... There doesn't seem to be any parental blocking available.

graemeh

2080 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 226

#1078644 2-Jul-2014 14:48

Is there a way to create manual network routes? If there is you can define a route for 8.8.8.8 that goes nowhere.

rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 49

#1078670 2-Jul-2014 15:09

manaia: Thanks - tried 'n' died on that one... There doesn't seem to be any parental blocking available.

Hi just had a look at the manual online try access control i think you can do their.

manaia

272 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#1079048 3-Jul-2014 06:05

rokki:
manaia: Thanks - tried 'n' died on that one... There doesn't seem to be any parental blocking available.

Hi just had a look at the manual online try access control i think you can do their.

Thanks for the help, but I'm not seeing that capability in the access control UI. As below 'Access Control' only lets me block a whole protocol or a port. 'Parental Control' only blocks URL by keyword. I'll try the IP address as a keyword...

manaia

272 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#1079049 3-Jul-2014 06:06

graemeh: Is there a way to create manual network routes? If there is you can define a route for 8.8.8.8 that goes nowhere.

Thanks, but not that I can see. I was hoping VF would set that up for me but that can't/won't...

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manaia

272 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#1079118 3-Jul-2014 09:06

Success, I think! I entered the DNS IP address 8.8.8.8 as a URL "keyword" under parental control. (Makes my brain hurt as a techie to conflate those concepts so I couldn't see it as a solution).

Thank you to rokki & graemeh for your advice and encouragement.

graemeh

2080 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 226

#1079340 3-Jul-2014 13:42

manaia: Success, I think! I entered the DNS IP address 8.8.8.8 as a URL "keyword" under parental control. (Makes my brain hurt as a techie to conflate those concepts so I couldn't see it as a solution). Thank you to rokki & graemeh for your advice and encouragement.

Good thinking :)

mynxnet

37 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 4

mynxnet

#1079723 4-Jul-2014 02:21

There was an update to the Roku app for netflix that seems to have hard coded the DNS to use 8.8.8.8 (google DNS). Its a tricky one, but you either have to block access to 8.8.8.8 or (the ultimate solution) re-route traffic to that address to your preferred DNS. If you can get your hands on a cheap configurable router to do this you can work around it, but Im unsure about the SHG1500, it would seem that its not possible.

TheKlaw

3 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1081555 5-Jul-2014 18:04

I had the same issue. I battled for weeks, VF were helpful in changing my DNS settings but blocking 8.8.8.8 killed War Thunder game connections which drove me insane.

Also whenever I did manage to get Netflix running, it would stream for 3 minutes then die. Connecting to Unblock-us showed that my IP address had changed this happened constantly so I finally chucked in the towel and changed providers to Orcon.

I had my Roku and Netflix set up and running with Orcon while I was on hold waiting to cancel my VF account.