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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'That VDSL Cat'
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#2544934 20-Aug-2020 09:40

BuzzLightyear:
hio77:

Over the next week an update to the Mesh Units will be rolling out.

I may have missed it earlier but what are the key features or defect fixes in this release?

I didn't share those.

to summarize though, There are Crash fixes, throughput improvements, Stability improvements and enhancements to share the airspace better.

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hio77

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#2544938 20-Aug-2020 09:43

concordnz: Trusty Hg569b just died.

If I'm tired of bugs/dropouts/problems(in my day to day work). And just want a device that 'works' when I get home.

Are these stable enough to be worth getting yet?
Or do they need to mature a bit more? Like a good whiskey.

My homebrew isn't bad without time to mature, it can certainly help though.

The mesh improvements to resolve some issues, however there is also a modem update due very soon that also will cleanup many of the painpoints detailed here.

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hio77

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#2544942 20-Aug-2020 09:45

bp1000:

concordnz: Trusty Hg569b just died.

If I'm tired of bugs/dropouts/problems(in my day to day work). And just want a device that 'works' when I get home.

Are these stable enough to be worth getting yet?
Or do they need to mature a bit more? Like a good whiskey.

I've been using the SmartModem and a single SmartMesh since February this year and I have had no issues.

I've been working from home since April, others have had periods working from home, others have been streaming video, we've videoconferenced using Zoom. I do a lot of videoconferencing for work.

Maximum of 5 people here at any one time. Devices are 5 smartphones, 2 tablets, 6 windows laptops, 3 TVs, Xbox, PS4, 2 MFDs.

SmartModem and SmartMesh are connected via ethernet cables, all other devices are WiFi.

Very happy with them, performance & coverage has been much better than old HG569B router.

Obviously some folk have been having issues as identified in this thread, but none of these have affected us.

That's exactly it, these issues don't impact everyone.

They certainly impacted me personally. but i'll also be honest... i kinda just ignored it for the most part.

Unless I'm working from home, then any sort of drop is a pain (i use an extremely non standard setup that goes over the net twice.)

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hio77

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#2544943 20-Aug-2020 09:47

dwilson:

in relation to the original issues, I am thinking this upcoming Mesh update might look to address issue number 2? With issues 1 and 3 part of the modem fix(es) which are later on? Or is it a bit more than that?

Mainly #2 and #3.

#2 will still benefit from the modem firmware too but this will help bridge the gap a ton.

#3 is a complex one as one member here has shown, so it's not fully resolved but is a damnsight better for your average home.

#include <std_disclaimer>

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Gordy7

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#2544950 20-Aug-2020 09:55

concordnz: Trusty Hg569b just died.

If I'm tired of bugs/dropouts/problems(in my day to day work). And just want a device that 'works' when I get home.

Are these stable enough to be worth getting yet?
Or do they need to mature a bit more? Like a good whiskey.

I have been using Spark and Skinny Smart Modems since 8 July.

I am using the Modem (no Mesh) in a 150 sq m timber frame house and find WiFi very good at distances of up to 15m on 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz WiFi. I am running WiFi on fixed channels (no Band Steering) as I find a couple of older laptops sometime failed to connect when Modem Auto channels was used.

I am running 4 computers, TV, HTPC, smart phone, 6 wired security Cams, NAS, VoIP ATA and printer

While with Orcon my HG659 failed so I switched to Orcon's NF18ACV and had a LAN and WiFi lockout problems which required resets.

Then I used a Spark Smart Modem (from TradeMe and with first release firmware) with Orcon from 8 July until 27 July without any issues (apart from Date and Time in logs)... Handled IPv6 very well too.

I have now been with Skinny using their Smart Modem since 27 July.... no issues...

I have not gone hunting for any issues with a fine tooth comb... the modems just work very well for me.

Edit: Running Gbit fibre here...

Gordy

My first ever AM radio network connection was with a 1MHz AM crystal(OA91) radio receiver.

grolschie

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#2545054 20-Aug-2020 11:07

hio77:
#3 is a complex one as one member here has shown, so it's not fully resolved but is a damnsight better for your average home.

It's probably only an issue if you use apps that look for UPnP devices using multicast SSDP. For example, a remote control app for your TV or home theatre searching the network for such devices.

If you just have the Smart Modem you'll probably be ok. The Mesh (or combo of Mesh and Smart Modem) seems to block the UDP replies to SSDP broadcasts, but sometimes not.

So for most people, it may be a non-issue.

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concordnz

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#2546960 21-Aug-2020 12:22

Thanks very much for your user feedback
@bp1000
@Gordy7
@hio77

& if you are Auckland based hio77 - I'm happy to offer a 2nd opinion of your home brew Whiskey :)

I'll grab one of these units off trademe & run with it.
I understand these 'auto update' - so I shouldn't have to worry about its current firmware. (My isp is Voyager - hopefully auto update still works?

It's only me[sometimes +80yo mum :) ] - but running about a dozen (or more? List seems to grown when you actually start counting them!) devices.
On a pretty standard/simple setup, Router = the only WiFi, with 6-8 network switches connected via hardwire.

But have a static IP,
& require some 'port forwarding', is my only 'quirk'

It sounds like an excellent router for my situation.
(With the option to add Mesh - in the garage if necessary)

And a good upgrade from the HG659

mule

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#2546983 21-Aug-2020 12:43

concordnz: Thanks very much for your user feedback
@bp1000
@Gordy7
@hio77

& if you are Auckland based hio77 - I'm happy to offer a 2nd opinion of your home brew Whiskey :)

I'll grab one of these units off trademe & run with it.
I understand these 'auto update' - so I shouldn't have to worry about its current firmware. (My isp is Voyager - hopefully auto update still works?

It's only me[sometimes +80yo mum :) ] - but running about a dozen (or more? List seems to grown when you actually start counting them!) devices.
On a pretty standard/simple setup, Router = the only WiFi, with 6-8 network switches connected via hardwire.

But have a static IP,
& require some 'port forwarding', is my only 'quirk'

It sounds like an excellent router for my situation.
(With the option to add Mesh - in the garage if necessary)

And a good upgrade from the HG659

I have router and mesh units sitting in cupboard if you want to buy them, could not wait for the fixes unfortionately.

Gordy7

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#2547046 21-Aug-2020 14:19

concordnz:

snip....

I'll grab one of these units off trademe & run with it.
I understand these 'auto update' - so I shouldn't have to worry about its current firmware. (My isp is Voyager - hopefully auto update still works?

snip

The Smart Modems will only update on a Spark network...

The first Spark Smart Modem I bought off Trademe had very early firmware and worked fine and reliably on Orcon Gbit fibre.

Gordy

My first ever AM radio network connection was with a 1MHz AM crystal(OA91) radio receiver.

concordnz

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#2547069 21-Aug-2020 14:55

@mule
Darn! - already committed to one, before I noticed your post now.
Hopefully someone else can take advantage of your offer.

If it won't update over Voyager automatically
@hio77
Would you happen to have a link to firmwares? - so I can upgrade to current manually.
I couldn't find one in a 10sec Google.

robbiefu

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#2550407 27-Aug-2020 00:13

@hio77

Hi, I just ordered one smart modem and one smart mesh to replace my old huaweiHG659B.

There is only on ethernet port on the mesh, is this port only for connecting mesh to the router?

I want to know can I use an ethernet cable to connect my xbox to the smart mesh then make it using wired. I think that would be more stable for playing online games.

BTW, is there anything I need to do when I receive the modem and mesh? Do I need to upgrade the firmware manually？

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grolschie

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#2550414 27-Aug-2020 04:59

If you have the option of connecting the Mesh to the Smart Modem via Ethernet, you could put a Ethernet switch between the Mesh and the modem (at the Mesh end) and plug the Mesh and Xbox into that. That is what I've done.

robbiefu

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#2550415 27-Aug-2020 05:43

grolschie: If you have the option of connecting the Mesh to the Smart Modem via Ethernet, you could put a Ethernet switch between the Mesh and the modem (at the Mesh end) and plug the Mesh and Xbox into that. That is what I've done.

thank you
But can I simply put a ethernet cable between my xbox and the mesh, wireless between mesh and modem. Will this work?

grolschie

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#2550417 27-Aug-2020 05:46

I'm pretty sure that will work.

hio77

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#2550478 27-Aug-2020 09:07

robbiefu:
grolschie: If you have the option of connecting the Mesh to the Smart Modem via Ethernet, you could put a Ethernet switch between the Mesh and the modem (at the Mesh end) and plug the Mesh and Xbox into that. That is what I've done.

thank you
But can I simply put a ethernet cable between my xbox and the mesh, wireless between mesh and modem. Will this work?

Yup, we have a few customers who do exactly that.

#include <std_disclaimer>

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

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