Wall-to-wall internet at home, guaranteed by Vodafone

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Wall-to-wall internet at home, guaranteed by Vodafone

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85 posts

Master Geek

#2639383 21-Jan-2021 07:59

Hammerer:

freitasm:

Are you folks turning off the WiFi on the router, when using these AP? In a true mesh system you can control everything from a single point (like the FritzBox or DLink units do). Are you able to do this with those units? Can you replace the router with one of those if you want?

Yes, they are a true mesh system (including IEEE 802.11k/v/r) but I've cabled them to the router.

Yes. the default mode is to connect to the Internet and replace the router (PPPoE, DHCP, NAT, QoS, etc.). I had to manually configure it for "Access Point" mode as I'm keeping the UltraHub router but that does mean that I lose the Parental Controls, QoS, Encryption control, etc.

Yes, all the settings are controlled from the app. But the settings are more limited than the UltraHub router, e.g. I cannot set the WLAN channels.

They seem a lot like a Google Nest with WiFi 6 (802.11ax) added. There is a limited range of settings with less for users to stuff up.

I'm unsure if they are the V1 or V2 devices. On the box it labelled as V1.2 but the latest firmware version is 2.0.3. The update was requested as soon as I connected the frist time. When I added the second X20, the need to update it was also notified.

Edited to add mesh info.

Most features are in the app, but there are some extra Wifi in the Web UI that you log into via browser to its IP address and use App password.

The units are 1.2 but the firmware is a Vodafone variant for NZ - the normal retail boxes don't connect direct to ONTs for Fibre, but these ones you can plug direct to the ONT (auto VLAN10 detection) if you prefer.

NorthernZone

69 posts

Master Geek

#2639387 21-Jan-2021 08:08

Scepticism with Vodafone: https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/dealing-with-Vodafone?postId=60087562a2cb2b0017e2dbee

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#2639390 21-Jan-2021 08:12

@NorthernZone:

Scepticism with Vodafone: https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/dealing-with-Vodafone?postId=60087562a2cb2b0017e2dbee

Perhaps create a new thread for this as it's completely off topic.

kiwifidget

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#2639395 21-Jan-2021 08:34

I've been thinking about this offer, and where the x20s would be located in my home where the UltraHub and the ONT are not in the same place.

Would it work if one X20 was connected to the ONT and the other to a switch? ie either side of the UltraHub network-wise?

Delete cookies?! Are you insane?!

Morm

85 posts

Master Geek

#2639397 21-Jan-2021 08:49

kiwifidget:

I've been thinking about this offer, and where the x20s would be located in my home where the UltraHub and the ONT are not in the same place.

Would it work if one X20 was connected to the ONT and the other to a switch? ie either side of the UltraHub network-wise?

There is only 1 port on the ONT for fibre you can use.

The X20 can be connected directly to the ONT, but the second X20 needs to be connected either via Wifi mesh or directly via ethernet cable and not on the other side of the ultra hub.

In your case either

- replace the Ultra Hub with an X20 (unless you have voice calling) and then place the second X20 elsewhere to expand wifi coverage. The Wifi backhaul between the two is good.

- connect one x20 right next to the ONT, and use its second ethernet port to connect to where the ultra hub is, but replace the ultra hub with the second x20.

But if you have voice calling on the Ultra Hub, then you need to have both x20 sitting behind it on the network.

kiwifidget

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#2639400 21-Jan-2021 08:51

@morm Thanks, I have voice calling so that sets a clear path for me.

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sbiddle

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#2639408 21-Jan-2021 09:17

Having a router that is a core requirement for VF services (particularly for voice) and then a different brand of WiFi hardware seems a bit of an ad-hoc solution that is going to cause problems.

IMHO the approach of having a managed router and same brand extenders is a lot smarter - this is the approach Spark have taken, and the approach RSP's using Netcomm hardware can take with the NF18AC Mesh units.

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nztim

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#2639432 21-Jan-2021 10:04

sbiddle:

Having a router that is a core requirement for VF services (particularly for voice) and then a different brand of WiFi hardware seems a bit of an ad-hoc solution that is going to cause problems.

IMHO the approach of having a managed router and same brand extenders is a lot smarter - this is the approach Spark have taken, and the approach RSP's using Netcomm hardware can take with the NF18AC Mesh units.

Ethernet to the Access Points is the best solution

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sbiddle

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#2639454 21-Jan-2021 10:33

nztim:

sbiddle:

Having a router that is a core requirement for VF services (particularly for voice) and then a different brand of WiFi hardware seems a bit of an ad-hoc solution that is going to cause problems.

IMHO the approach of having a managed router and same brand extenders is a lot smarter - this is the approach Spark have taken, and the approach RSP's using Netcomm hardware can take with the NF18AC Mesh units.

Ethernet to the Access Points is the best solution

Yes - and Spark and Netcomm units support either Ethernet or wireless backhaul.

Hammerer

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#2639471 21-Jan-2021 11:33

nztim:

Ethernet to the Access Points is the best solution

Which is what I've done. A definite improvement in wireless coverage and speed.

Speedtest shows >600/100 Mbps

Jaxson

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#2639485 21-Jan-2021 12:21

hio77:

it seems they still require you to use the ultra hub as a modem

This was my single biggest question. Having moved from the earlier hg659 to the 'ultra' hub I'm still not sure which part is supposed to be ultra.

The parental controls are diabolically basic and fiddly for example, quite a pain and limited compared to previous offerings. Basic standard family config offerings like site filtering etc are a no go.

Jaxson

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#2639488 21-Jan-2021 12:35

Morm:

- replace the Ultra Hub with an X20 (unless you have voice calling) and then place the second X20 elsewhere to expand wifi coverage. The Wifi backhaul between the two is good.

Nicely worded thanks.

The option to replace the ultra hub really appeals.

I have no voice / 'land line' equivalent through it, so no major attachments to the ultra hub.

Sounds like there is much better parental control options built into the X20 devices, so that is desirable.

May look to replace ultrahub with one of the X20 units, straight replacement and fed from ONT via all existing cabling.

Then place second X20 elsewhere in the house with wifi between them (rather than pulling new cabling), if the backhaul is solid in this configuration.

Morm

85 posts

Master Geek

#2639548 21-Jan-2021 13:09

Jaxson:

Morm:

- replace the Ultra Hub with an X20 (unless you have voice calling) and then place the second X20 elsewhere to expand wifi coverage. The Wifi backhaul between the two is good.

Nicely worded thanks.

The option to replace the ultra hub really appeals.

I have no voice / 'land line' equivalent through it, so no major attachments to the ultra hub.

Sounds like there is much better parental control options built into the X20 devices, so that is desirable.

May look to replace ultrahub with one of the X20 units, straight replacement and fed from ONT via all existing cabling.

Then place second X20 elsewhere in the house with wifi between them (rather than pulling new cabling), if the backhaul is solid in this configuration.

The controls are really good - Time of day / Time per day / Content filters / URL filters / sites accessed and Antivirus + QoS . Its a proper setup

Ditch the Ultra Hub if you don't have voice.

Jaxson

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#2639562 21-Jan-2021 13:28

Morm:

The controls are really good - Time of day / Time per day / Content filters / URL filters / sites accessed and Antivirus + QoS . Its a proper setup

Ditch the Ultra Hub if you don't have voice.

Thanks Morm and others. Really helpful thread. I'll go and bug Vodafone now.

Performance wise, how would just one of these compare to the ultrahub in terms of range/speed etc?

2 to cover weak spots seems awesome and I'll go and google the devices now to determine likes of ethernet ports on board etc.

edit:
Looks like there are just 2 wired ethernet ports on board. Assume 'main' unit will need one of these to receive the ONT output, leaving just one to connect to a device at that home location.

The other unit would have two outputs on it if paired by wifi or just one if connected via ethernet cable.

Would very much though like to get rid of the ultrahub. Perhaps I need a local basic switch on the first unit to give a few more wired ports to play with. (PC plus Xbox One at that location presently.)

Morm

85 posts

Master Geek

#2639619 21-Jan-2021 14:27

Jaxson:

Morm:

The controls are really good - Time of day / Time per day / Content filters / URL filters / sites accessed and Antivirus + QoS . Its a proper setup

Ditch the Ultra Hub if you don't have voice.

Thanks Morm and others. Really helpful thread. I'll go and bug Vodafone now.

Performance wise, how would just one of these compare to the ultrahub in terms of range/speed etc?

2 to cover weak spots seems awesome and I'll go and google the devices now to determine likes of ethernet ports on board etc.

edit:
Looks like there are just 2 wired ethernet ports on board. Assume 'main' unit will need one of these to receive the ONT output, leaving just one to connect to a device at that home location.

The other unit would have two outputs on it if paired by wifi or just one if connected via ethernet cable.

Would very much though like to get rid of the ultrahub. Perhaps I need a local basic switch on the first unit to give a few more wired ports to play with. (PC plus Xbox One at that location presently.)

I just connect the ethernet to a central switch and have everything running from that for wired stuff.

For absolute peak speed, the Ultra hub 4x4AC wifi was always quite good - I've got over 800Max, but the 2 Deco units smash it for coverage - min 300Mbit everywhere around the house (on 1Gbit fibre). Peak is still 600+, but that really doesn't matter a whole lot for doing almost anything. Whereas on a single Access point, not just Ultra Hub, can see dropoffs and backspots - so some areas I could be only 30Mbit.

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