Spark Launches new Inhome Experience - Spark Smart Modem & Spark Smart Mesh

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Spark Launches new Inhome Experience - Spark Smart Modem & Spark Smart Mesh

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Master Geek
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#2376377 16-Dec-2019 15:34

Does anyone know I can manually assign an IP address to a device in the VRV9517UWAC34?

its not obvious in the config for a person who doesnt know what he is doing :P

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drquack32

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#2376403 16-Dec-2019 16:00

timbosan:

I am quite curious on this mesh device. I have just switched back to Spark (from BigPipe) and ended up with a new Smart Modem. So wondering about changing from my UniFi AP's to the Smart mesh (as my Unifi AP's are very old, one is 2.4Ghz only, and upgrading two of them costs a bit)

Question 1 - if you leave the Ethernet cable connected after pairing, does it use the Ethernet for backhaul between the mode and mesh?

Question 2 - if you end up with more than one mesh unit, how to do connect them using Ethernet? Just another port on the modem to the second mesh unit?

Question 3 - does the Smart model support VLAN's? I am planning to implement this for my increasing number of IoT devices.

Many thanks!

I have a draytek with a Unifi AC Pro on VDSL (awaiting fibre to install) and did some testing comparisons against the Smart modem in preparation (and also firmware upgrade). While I get better range with the AC-Pro, the Smart modem stacks up against the Draytek/Unfi combo I have in terms of speed and performance.

For a free router, its strikes me as a grunty little bugger. The UI is a bit all over the place with menu across the top and side but the hardware is good!

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Lorenceo

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#2376404 16-Dec-2019 16:01

WH0A:

Hi @hio77 - any progress with getting port forwarding working on these Spark Smart Modem devices, please?

1. Log into the GUI.

2. Select "Network" from the left panel/menu.

3. Move your mouse over the "NAT" tab at the top of the page, then click "Port Mapping".

4. Click the "Add rule" button.

5. Enter your internal host IP and ports you wish to forward.

6. Click the "Save settings" button.

Done. Your port(s) should now be forwarded.

hebegb:

Does anyone know I can manually assign an IP address to a device in the VRV9517UWAC34?

its not obvious in the config for a person who doesnt know what he is doing :P

1. Log into the GUI.

2. Select "Network" from the left panel/menu.

3. Move your mouse over the "LAN" tab at the top of the page, then click "LAN DHCP".

4. Click the "Add" button.

5. Choose which internal host IP you wish to create a static lease for from the list, and set an internal IP address for it (if you wish to change it from its current IP).

6. Click the "Save settings" button.

Done. You should now have a static DHCP assignment for your chosen device.

WH0A

52 posts

Master Geek
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#2376407 16-Dec-2019 16:08

Lorenceo:

WH0A:

Hi @hio77 - any progress with getting port forwarding working on these Spark Smart Modem devices, please?

1. Log into the GUI.

2. Select "Network" from the left panel/menu.

3. Move your mouse over the "NAT" tab at the top of the page, then click "Port Mapping".

4. Click the "Add rule" button.

5. Enter your internal host IP and ports you wish to forward.

6. Click the "Save settings" button.

Done. Your port(s) should now be forwarded.

Thanks and I'm aware of that basic process, but it is not working for me. Others have commented likewise with port forwarding on this router.

I have detailed the problem earlier in this thread and in response to that and at @hio77's request, sent a Private Message with more information: Subject "Spark Smart Modem Port Forwarding" sent 3 Dec.

Thank you!

Lorenceo

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#2376409 16-Dec-2019 16:14

My apologies, I hadn't seen your other posts. I tried this before posting, and found my TCP service to be accessible from the internet.

hebegb

78 posts

Master Geek
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#2376412 16-Dec-2019 16:23

Lorenceo:
WH0A:

Hi @hio77 - any progress with getting port forwarding working on these Spark Smart Modem devices, please?

1. Log into the GUI.

2. Select "Network" from the left panel/menu.

3. Move your mouse over the "NAT" tab at the top of the page, then click "Port Mapping".

4. Click the "Add rule" button.

5. Enter your internal host IP and ports you wish to forward.

6. Click the "Save settings" button.

Done. Your port(s) should now be forwarded.

hebegb:

Does anyone know I can manually assign an IP address to a device in the VRV9517UWAC34?

its not obvious in the config for a person who doesnt know what he is doing :P

1. Log into the GUI.

2. Select "Network" from the left panel/menu.

3. Move your mouse over the "LAN" tab at the top of the page, then click "LAN DHCP".

4. Click the "Add" button.

5. Choose which internal host IP you wish to create a static lease for from the list, and set an internal IP address for it (if you wish to change it from its current IP).

6. Click the "Save settings" button.

Done. You should now have a static DHCP assignment for your chosen device.

Awesome thanks for that
A hidden gem 👍

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WH0A

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Master Geek
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#2376415 16-Dec-2019 16:31

Lorenceo: My apologies, I hadn't seen your other posts. I tried this before posting, and found my TCP service to be accessible from the internet.

No problem and I appreciate the pointer. Unfortunately it seems to be a complex issue.

And my turn for an apology - I mixed your handle up with someone else. I didn't send you a DM at all! It was to someone else on this thread. I'll edit my reply to correct that.

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
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Lizard Networks

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#2376416 16-Dec-2019 16:32

WH0A:

Thanks and I'm aware of that basic process, but it is not working for me. Others have commented likewise with port forwarding on this router.

I have detailed the problem earlier in this thread and in response to that and at your request, sent you a Private Message with more information: Subject "Spark Smart Modem Port Forwarding" sent 3 Dec.

Really would appreciate your help. Thank you!

Hi WH0A,

we are still yet to be able to replicate exactly your issue (it works perfectly for us)

Through all our testing, it appears your issue is inside your network - or when we have been investigating the device is turned off.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

Daylo

123 posts

Master Geek

#2377774 18-Dec-2019 13:31

Just adding to this... I also don't seem to be able to add any new port mapping rules. It allows me to go in and go through the steps to add one, but when saved nothing changes/nothing's added.

I'm not sure when this "broke" as the couple I do have now (and working fine) were created a little while back. I have both rebooted and powered off/on with no change.

hio77

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#2377777 18-Dec-2019 13:39

Daylo:

Just adding to this... I also don't seem to be able to add any new port mapping rules. It allows me to go in and go through the steps to add one, but when saved nothing changes/nothing's added.

I'm not sure when this "broke" as the couple I do have now (and working fine) were created a little while back. I have both rebooted and powered off/on with no change.

double check you have put in the public ip box 0.0.0.0 please.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

Daylo

123 posts

Master Geek

#2377790 18-Dec-2019 14:05

hio77:

Daylo:

Just adding to this... I also don't seem to be able to add any new port mapping rules. It allows me to go in and go through the steps to add one, but when saved nothing changes/nothing's added.

I'm not sure when this "broke" as the couple I do have now (and working fine) were created a little while back. I have both rebooted and powered off/on with no change.

double check you have put in the public ip box 0.0.0.0 please.

Thanks for the reply :). No dice though. I had/have tried both with and without 0.0.0.0 - no luck on either :(

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hio77

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#2385026 4-Jan-2020 16:10

Crossposting this from @michaelmurfy https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=197871&page_no=21#2385019

michaelmurfy:

I've added the Spark Smart Modem to the list (Link) as a great home router.

Pros:
- A much larger device limit than the HG659 meaning even the biggest of households won't run into limitations.
- Mesh system is very simple to setup and provides seamless coverage across the house.
- Can route Gigabit absolutely no problems (test done on a PPPoE CG-NAT connection provided by my Edgerouter and server on the other end of the NAT).
- Has per-device parental controls built right in with scheduling along with WiFi scheduling.
- Built in Guest Network capabilities.
- Supports IPv6.

This is a very basic router with only "what is needed" for an average home user. It is not an advanced router by any means. I was very impressed I was able to plug this straight into my test network (a simulated Spark UFB connection run by my Edgerouter) and be up and running. By default, it comes with a random wireless password like "AdmiredWeaver84EE" along with a card stored on the router itself making it easy for new devices to be connected to WiFi by your less tech-inclined people.

The mesh node was easy to add - first by connecting to the main router by Ethernet and waiting for the status light to change then I was free to install this in a location where it has good WiFi coverage to the main unit - you can also hardwire this to Ethernet provided you've got an Ethernet port at the location. The WiFi network from both the main unit and the mesh unit is the same meaning clients have a seamless handover between the two.

For your more basic, ISP provided solution I do rate this rather highly. The experience from opening the box to getting connected was very simple. The single status light on the router is actually a rather nice touch as it gives a clear indication if your internet is up or not.

This router does come with UPnP enabled by default which can be somewhat a blessing and a curse. The blessing is gamers who play online won't run into any issues however the curse comes from those connecting cheap cameras to their network since these cameras can automatically forward ports (which is quite a security risk). I think having this turned on by default is actually good for your average home user.

WiFi performance from across the house was at-least 200Mbit (topping off at about 600Mbit) - I do live in an area where there are a tonne of WiFi networks around. Coverage provided by the main router combined with the mesh unit was also great.

Thanks Spark (and @hio77) for allowing me to test out this router and mesh kit!

Although he didnt say it in his review, my favorite part being messaged "I'm actually pretty impressed by this"

Genuinely, I too as has many others had this response after seeing it's routing.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

FuzZyTazZ

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2385648 5-Jan-2020 23:12

Hi,

Is there any way to turn off the guest wifi completely? Currently it’s broadcasting a hidden SSID on the selected wifi channel for both the bands. Even though I’ve disabled “Guest Network“ for both.

I’m on the latest (v6.00.13 build01) firmware with a brand new device that was just inboxed last night. And yes I also did a full reset after FW auto update.

Thanks for the assistance in advance.. Trying to have as clean a wifi environment as possible. So having unused/unneeded default guest network that you can’t fully disable is not helpful.

TazZ 🙏☺️

hio77

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#2385650 5-Jan-2020 23:32

Just to confirm, when you say "guest network" do you mean the Fon network?

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

FuzZyTazZ

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2385651 6-Jan-2020 00:05

hio77:
Just to confirm, when you say "guest network" do you mean the Fon network?

I wish I did.. I've been though the whole thread and seen you guys been working on getting that sorted. No, these actually show up as on the spectrum analyzer apps. With Mac addresses that are nearly identical to the main ones from the AP.

If you check the screenshots in the next post, I think you would see what I'm talking about.

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