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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23 posts

Geek

#2478431 7-May-2020 08:59

Yes would also be interested to find some information on the usb storage have connected 1 but dont seem to be able to access it would like to use it for back ups etc any help would be great thanks.

grolschie

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2478559 7-May-2020 12:52

hio77:

Very weird findings, I'll test that specific port and address next....

I didn't have any issues when i was testing yesterday

Interestingly, it was working for a short while this morning on "5G RE" and then nothing. I'm wondering if there's some DoS protection kicking in. There have been security vulnerabilities relating to SSDP multicast (UDP port 1900).

kobiak

1380 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2478827 7-May-2020 17:38

Does second spark smart modem connected in bridge mode to first spark modem -> wireless mesh network? :)

second modem picked up primary modem's wifi networks and password and settings...

helping others at evgenyk.nz

PJ48

137 posts

Master Geek

#2478976 7-May-2020 22:30

I note that the Smart modem and associated Mesh units default to full transmit power. I am not appearing to have any problems with this, but note lots of people on these forums recommending that the transmit power be reduced. How would I know that I should reduce the transmit power?

mrhaboobi

129 posts

Master Geek

#2479209 8-May-2020 12:32

Ok so im an existing customer and coming out of contract next week.

I have a smart modem at this point ( received as a replacement for a dead modem )

I want to get some mesh units, i probably need 2. Id like to renew my plan for 12 months, and wanting to obtain 1 or 2 mesh units instead of the modem on offer.

Chat support is of no help unfortunately, saying they cant exchange the modem for a mesh unit ( or two ). And cant override the system. I did ask if there was anyone at spark i could email who might have that ability to be told no one can ( not sure i believe that ).

So anyone had any experience trying to get a mesh as a replacement for the modem as part of a 12 or 24 mth deal?

Failing that, can a second modem work as a mesh? if i accepted the free offer and was sent a second modem would i be able to use that as a mesh point as per how the mesh points are suppose to work?

Thanks

Scotdownunder

101 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#2479278 8-May-2020 15:13

My understanding is the mesh units work with the smart modem so you don’t need to change the master router, just connect the mesh units as per the appropriate tabs on the smart router management interface.

On a different point, I found out that the default password that comes with the smart modem does not meet the criteria for a new password it requires a character which the default did not have - strange.

Benji23

23 posts

Geek

#2479282 8-May-2020 15:23

Hi I have the option of getting another smart modem is it possible to connect it by wifi to the main unit and use it as a extender and also does anyone know how to access a usb storage device that is connected to it thanks

kobiak

1380 posts

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#2479449 8-May-2020 17:53

mrhaboobi:

So anyone had any experience trying to get a mesh as a replacement for the modem as part of a 12 or 24 mth deal?

Seems like it does.

Screenshots from primary router. Second is on bridge mode.

WIFI works seamlessly, but this is not official, so I don't know if it should work that way. I got both routers second hand. Second for $10 - lucky.

helping others at evgenyk.nz

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
12140 posts

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Spark

Subscriber

#2479461 8-May-2020 18:25

So there is some confusion here. Agents may be getting confused.

If you have the spark smart modem, you only need a mesh unit.

If you have any other modem you require two mesh units. Or to replace the primary modem with a smart mesh.

We don't replace existing modems if there is nothing wrong with them. Hg659b is a totally fine device for most use cases so we would sell 2x mesh preferably here rather than create ewaste of another Hg659b.

#include <std_disclaimer>

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

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
12140 posts

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Spark

Subscriber

#2479462 8-May-2020 18:27

Scotdownunder:
On a different point, I found out that the default password that comes with the smart modem does not meet the criteria for a new password it requires a character which the default did not have - strange.

You will see this everywhere soon.

There was a law passed in USA requiring "strong unique passwords" which will enfluence all products overtime.
At first setup it will ask you to set your own password. Off the top of my head it's something like 6 chars, atleast 1 symbol and atleast 1 number.

#include <std_disclaimer>

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

mrhaboobi

129 posts

Master Geek

#2479465 8-May-2020 18:32

I have a smart modem already. However im looking to confirm a 12 month plan.

In doing so you normally offer a new modem, in my instance i dont want another modem, id rather get a mesh unit ( or two ) . ( i have a long house so two mesh units to get to both ends ).

So i wanted to know if there was a way to take up the 12 month contract and get a MESH unit rather than the modem that is on offer.

Failing that, if i have no choice and im sent a second modem, can i use that modem as a mesh point ( wireless backhaul)? with seemless SSID.

Also interested to know what the wireless backhaul is using? coming from an ORBI RBK50 which has a dedicated 866 5.8 gnz backhaul, how does this unit work? I have a Netgear 7300 mesh extender aswell, ( was using it with my old spark modem ) i could use this as a an extender aswell, but that seems to really eat into the possible speeds the device can give.

Keen on your thoughts

thanks

hio77: So there is some confusion here. Agents may be getting confused.

If you have the spark smart modem, you only need a mesh unit.

If you have any other modem you require two mesh units. Or to replace the primary modem with a smart mesh.

We don't replace existing modems if there is nothing wrong with them. Hg659b is a totally fine device for most use cases so we would sell 2x mesh preferably here rather than create ewaste of another Hg659b.

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
12140 posts

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Spark

Subscriber

#2479476 8-May-2020 19:27

mrhaboobi:

I have a smart modem already. However im looking to confirm a 12 month plan.

In doing so you normally offer a new modem, in my instance i dont want another modem, id rather get a mesh unit ( or two ) . ( i have a long house so two mesh units to get to both ends ).

So i wanted to know if there was a way to take up the 12 month contract and get a MESH unit rather than the modem that is on offer.

That's really a marketing question sorry, i'll see if i can get an answer but i suspect it's not something i can share.

mrhaboobi:

Failing that, if i have no choice and im sent a second modem, can i use that modem as a mesh point ( wireless backhaul)? with seamless SSID.

No, i don't believe so, there are alot of complexities there though so i may have misunderstood the setup your looking at.

#include <std_disclaimer>

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

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
12140 posts

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Subscriber

#2479477 8-May-2020 19:27

mrhaboobi:

Also interested to know what the wireless backhaul is using? coming from an ORBI RBK50 which has a dedicated 866 5.8 gnz backhaul, how does this unit work?

This unit doesn't use a dedicated backhaul, however it takes advantage of higher QAM rates still preform well.

When i was initially testing it, i was able to pump 390mbit TCP throughput, through a floor at my rural property - so 5ghz bands were clear aside from my own AP's.

For Dedicated backhaul, i recommend ethernet. utilizing another separate 5ghz channel adds congestion into the air and increases product cost.

mrhaboobi:

I have a Netgear 7300 mesh extender aswell, ( was using it with my old spark modem ) i could use this as a an extender aswell, but that seems to really eat into the possible speeds the device can give.

If it's one of those receive and retransmit units, they are pretty killer on the network. as it worked on your previous one i'll assume it was one of these.

#include <std_disclaimer>

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

mrhaboobi

129 posts

Master Geek

#2479505 8-May-2020 21:06

So just a question on your set up, does this mean you now have one SSID across the entire house? and i see you have used Ethernet between the two devices, so is this really just working as an access point rather than a wireless mesh?

kobiak:

mrhaboobi:

So anyone had any experience trying to get a mesh as a replacement for the modem as part of a 12 or 24 mth deal?

Seems like it does.

Screenshots from primary router. Second is on bridge mode.

WIFI works seamlessly, but this is not official, so I don't know if it should work that way. I got both routers second hand. Second for $10 - lucky.

mrhaboobi

129 posts

Master Geek

#2479507 8-May-2020 21:11

hio77:

That's really a marketing question sorry, i'll see if i can get an answer but i suspect it's not something i can share.

mrhaboobi:

Failing that, if i have no choice and im sent a second modem, can i use that modem as a mesh point ( wireless backhaul)? with seamless SSID.

No, i don't believe so, there are alot of complexities there though so i may have misunderstood the setup your looking at.

Be great to hear if your marketing teams could answer :) really need that mesh,

And really was just asking if a second smart modem could be used as a replacement for a smart mesh. nothing to complicated in the set up, just want a single SSID across teh house, and a wireless backhaul between the two.. :) im not sure what makes the mesh a mesh and what makes it different from just a wireless router :).. im not that technical to know the differences. FOr all i know the smart mesh could be a smart modem stuck into a different box and called a mesh but im guessing thats not the case..

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