Changing region with Unotelly: how to avoid rebooting the router

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BiDi

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Topic # 183644 24-Oct-2015 19:07

We use wifi to access various streaming services via Unotelly. The wifi router is an NP805N supplied by Vodafone.

I find that to change location with Unotelly's dynamo service, I have to reboot the router (or else wait for hours). I guess that rebooting releases a buffer within the router.

Does anyone know what I could do to stop the router from behaving this way?

Unotelly provides help on disabling DNS buffering for several routers, but not this one. I've had a look at the various router settings, but I cannot see what I should change in the router settings. General googling of the problem has not been successful, so I'm stuck for now.

grant_k

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Reply # 1413303 24-Oct-2015 20:28

Is there any particular reason you're using UnoTelly in your router?

I find it best to change the DNS only in the PC that is connected to the TV and leave all other devices on standard settings. That way I can also switch to UnoVPN for any sites which need it.

Rikkitic

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Reply # 1413319 24-Oct-2015 21:43

One person supports this post

grant_k: Is there any particular reason you're using UnoTelly in your router?

I find it best to change the DNS only in the PC that is connected to the TV and leave all other devices on standard settings. That way I can also switch to UnoVPN for any sites which need it.

Agree. Also, for PCs there are two or three good utilities like DNS Jumper that make it easy to switch between multiple proxies. I have these on different machines. Maximum flexibility, minimum hassle. And you might want to take a look at a new Danish proxy called StremrTV. It works with all sites, all countries, without the need to change any settings.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. - Adam Savage

BiDi

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Reply # 1413322 24-Oct-2015 22:35

Well, thank you for the suggestions. I will take a look at the alternatives, but the set up we have is convenient (a part from the need to reboot the router). Although there is one PC that is used most of the time there are other devices that get used in the household from time to time for viewing. I don't really want to have to set each one up.

If I could get the router to switch over more easily I'd be happy.

robjg63

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Reply # 1413357 25-Oct-2015 08:49

I agree with you BiDi. Having it set in the router means the whole household is set up and ready to go.
Having the router hold on to a DNS cache is obviously quite a useful feature at times. But not in this case.
Don't know how common it is for them to do this....

I (probably like you did) googled for an answer and couldn't see one.
It's probably worth you popping a support question via the netcomm page.
They seem to have an online tech support area.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

BiDi

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Reply # 1413430 25-Oct-2015 11:28

Yes, quite right @robjg63, next on the list is to ask Unotelly and Netcomm. :-)

I just thought there might have been someone on Geekzone with the know-how. There seem to be quite a few geeks playing with Unotelly and of course asking a question in the local context often helps to find a solution.

Yabanize

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Reply # 1413494 25-Oct-2015 13:38

If you have chromecast etc I think you need to have it set at the router

BiDi

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Reply # 1413496 25-Oct-2015 13:40

Nope, not using Chromecast. We use a variety of devices (PC win 10 an 7, iPad, Nexus 7) but not that one.

BiDi

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Reply # 1413500 25-Oct-2015 13:49

Well, Unotelly has some bad news for me: it can't be done on this router

Unfortunately the DNS Caching is limited to DD-WRT and D-Link routers as they have the function to do so compared to other routers just like yours. Even the famous Linksys does not have this procedure so the only way really is to reboot the router.

I have not been able to confirm that with Netcomm because on-line contact with Support appears to be broken!

robjg63

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Reply # 1413548 25-Oct-2015 16:03

Arent they saying that your router doesnt have DNS caching - 'DNS Caching is limited to DD-WRT and D-Link routers' ie not your Netcomm.

If thats the case its probably not the router.
You do know that windows (and most other OS's) have DNS caching as well?

Try this test on a PC - I assume you have one.....

Try Netflix on your PC set to one area
Switch the Netflix area with Unotelly.

Close your browser.
Window 7: Click “Start” and type the word “Command” in the Start search field. Finally right click the command prompt icon and select the option to “Run as Administrator”. In the open prompt, type “ipconfig/flushdns” (without the quotes).

Now open your browser and go back to Netflix.
Is it seeing the right Netflix area?

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

BiDi

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Reply # 1413551 25-Oct-2015 16:19

No, they are saying that my router does not provide an option to control caching.

I had already experimented with the PCs DNS cache, exactly as you suggest. It does not help. I do not see the area change unless I reboot the router.

As it happens, I do have a an old DD-WRT router, but it is only wireless G (801.11g) , not N.

I'm wondering whether to try to set up a daisy chain with the Netcomm router (not sure quite how to do that yet).

Currently, we are getting best download speeds of about 30 Mbps at the PC used for viewing (on speedtest Ookla). If that drops closer to 20, viewing quality suffers. So I don't think wireless G would be satisfactory.