Unable to use Roku 3 & 'Global Mode'

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Unable to use Roku 3 & 'Global Mode'

freakalad

236 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#152003 12-Sep-2014 20:55

been a while....

I recently signed up with Slingshot's (naked, unshaped, unlimited) VDSL service with 'global mode', and for the most part I'm a very happy camper.

I've set up the provided router into bridged mode & managing the PPPoE connection myself via my (hardened) pfSense firewall, and have set up my environment to use SlingShot's preferred DNS's @ 202.180.64.10 & 202.180.64.11. I still use 8.8.8.8 for non-entertainment hosts, but have blocked them for the entertainment hosts as per the ISP's docco's.

So far, so good: I've been watching previously unavailable media such as Hulu & BBC iPlayer without issue, so I believe the 'global mode' functionality is set up correctly for use by my media devices.

The problem I've got specifically is that I've plugged in this new Roku 3, did a factory reset on it, given it a static DHCP IP lease on my network (so as to have better control over what to block, allow & redirect), but it fails to come up as expected.

I pick wired connection, get the 3 green checks to show it getting internet connectivity OK, but then it tries to poll the update server & fails with "error code 003", and thereafter also fails to complete the registration process.

On the gateway I log the following connections:
* 8.8.8.8 - blocked as per docco's
* 202.180.64.10:53 & 202.180.64.11:53 - ISP DNS
* a bunch of IP's, 74.125.237.* & 208.111.*.* (on port 80 & 443) resolving somewhere in the US, so I can only guess they're Roku hosts.

I've run a basic curl on those IP's & found:
* 4 IP's in the in the 208.*-range that are either empty, "^U^C^A^@^B^B(", or "^U^C^A^@^B^B(" - I suspect these to be Roku hosts.
* 4 pages that look to be Google landing page (not sure why this would be...)

So, I'm getting 'global mode' for media on mobiles & browsers, but on on the dedicated Roku for some reason.
I doubt the problem is local (but need to re-check some assumptions again), and I've tried communicating this to the tech support folks.

Considering there's a setup guide for the Roku stick, others must have had butter luck than I, so I'd like to to know if I'm overlooking anything.

What am I missing?
Anyone else here on the SlingShot 'global mode' service with a Roku 3?

FLOSS'er, aspiring Maker

Dusaro

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#1128094 13-Sep-2014 22:08

Hey,

I had a similar problem, setting up my Roku 2, I couldn't get past the setup screen.
Try the following the below steps and see if it resolves your issues.

On your remote press:
Home 5 times,
Fast Forward 3 times,
Rewind 2 times.

Now scroll to "Update Software" and click OK.
Your Roku should update and you should be able to use it correctly.

freakalad

236 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#1128303 14-Sep-2014 13:52

Cheers!
Found the "Secret Screen", which is a WIN - finding hidden functionality always makes me smile, to thanks for this :)

This has opened up some new possibilities for me, but the issue persists.

I can see it doing a DNS query against the server, and then tries to connect to "something", but not exactly sure what or what the outcome is.

I suspect there may be something resembling a TCPdump generated via the dev-mode, to that may be a place to look, but ideally I'd like to get shell on the box, so that I can troubleshoot from within it...

FLOSS'er, aspiring Maker

freakalad

236 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#1130872 17-Sep-2014 17:52

I managed to get it working!

I eventually ended up calling the Roku support line.

I had to put in DNS options other than those indicated by (the frankly pretty useless) support.
As per Roku's suggestion, I set my DNS to 208.67.222.222 (seems to be OpenDNS - their primary being 208.67.222.220)

I may resort back to the slingshot or google DNS servers later

Hope this is useful to others with international media players

FLOSS'er, aspiring Maker

clived

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1134957 23-Sep-2014 21:09

Hi,

I'm struggling with getting my New Roku 3 up and running with Slingshot's Global mode also. See you had the same problem, but do you now have Netflix and other US channels available on your Roku3.

I understand I have to Block DNS 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Can you help me with this at all? Do I do it on my router or PC? My router is a Vodafone HG 556a.

Only way I can get to link Roku is by turning off my Global mode but obviously then it realises I'm not in NZ so it doesn't load Netflix etc. I have unlinked the Roku from my Roku account and closed it as I'm assuming I will have to do again.

I have spoken to Roku also and they gave me the same DNS as you used but I'm pretty sure it all rests on me blocking the Google DNS's. Tried entering the DNS addresses Roku told me to use but it just meant my Global mode didn't work.

Please help as I'm pulling my hair out.

freakalad

236 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#1135009 23-Sep-2014 21:39

The Roku's OK - but I don't have full access to all US/non-NZ resources (Like disney channel & a few others).

I understand I have to Block DNS 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Can you help me with this at all? Do I do it on my router or PC? My router is a Vodafone HG 556a.

Unfortunately I'm not sure I can help you with this specific device - I typically deal with devices I have more control over (such as DD-WRT for my own AP's).

Most of these typically run some Linux/BusyBox/POSIX kernel, meaning you may be able to ssh/telnet into it, and so manipulate the IPtables to block routing to 8.8.8.8 from your Roku - or completely brick it.

I would suggest you either ask another forum for this specific information, or call up vodafone to sort this out for you.

Some resources that you might find useful - either to set the modem's global to something else, or to overload it for a specific client:
* http://setuprouter.com/router/vodafone/hg556a/dns.htm
* https://community.vodafone.co.nz/t5/Modems-home-Wi-Fi/Setup-OpenDNS-on-Echolife-HG556A/td-p/109088

FLOSS'er, aspiring Maker

graemeh

2080 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 226

#1135299 24-Sep-2014 09:06

clived: I understand I have to Block DNS 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Can you help me with this at all? Do I do it on my router or PC? My router is a Vodafone HG 556a.

I don't know how the HG556a works but on my router I blocked the DNS server by putting in a manual route so any requests to 8.8.8.8 never reached there. This may be an option for you if there is no option to directly block the address.

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zespri

424 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 94

Lifetime subscriber

#1150932 9-Oct-2014 20:49

clived: Hi,

I'm struggling with getting my New Roku 3 up and running with Slingshot's Global mode also. See you had the same problem, but do you now have Netflix and other US channels available on your Roku3.

I understand I have to Block DNS 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Can you help me with this at all? Do I do it on my router or PC? My router is a Vodafone HG 556a.

Only way I can get to link Roku is by turning off my Global mode but obviously then it realises I'm not in NZ so it doesn't load Netflix etc. I have unlinked the Roku from my Roku account and closed it as I'm assuming I will have to do again.

I have spoken to Roku also and they gave me the same DNS as you used but I'm pretty sure it all rests on me blocking the Google DNS's. Tried entering the DNS addresses Roku told me to use but it just meant my Global mode didn't work.

Please help as I'm pulling my hair out.

Yes, it has been frustrating for me too. I finally got it working today by following this helpful guide http://help.unotelly.com/support/solutions/articles/9488-setting-up-unodns-on-your-roku-us-

clived

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1151338 10-Oct-2014 14:35

Hi Zespri,

Great to hear you have finally got your Roku3 going. Are you now actually using Roku to view Netflix?

I didn't get that far, but I have just had the Fibre installed in my house and hence have a new router supplied by Slingshot. I'm starting the process again. Bloody frustrating.

Do you use a Slingshot supplied router? If so can you give me some help to what process you went through to get it set up? Would be much appreciated
Cheers

zespri

424 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 94

Lifetime subscriber

#1151407 10-Oct-2014 16:04

clived: Hi Zespri,

Great to hear you have finally got your Roku3 going. Are you now actually using Roku to view Netflix?

I didn't get that far, but I have just had the Fibre installed in my house and hence have a new router supplied by Slingshot. I'm starting the process again. Bloody frustrating.

Do you use a Slingshot supplied router? If so can you give me some help to what process you went through to get it set up? Would be much appreciated
Cheers

I'm actually using a adsl modem + router + custom firmware combination. So, not supplied by slingshot. Yes, I have netflix on roku 3 now, after two evenings of headache and frustration. Actually watched an episode of "How I met your mother" yesterday on roku/netflix seems to work fine so far.
My modem is draytek vigour 120 and the router is tp-link tl-wdr3600. The custom firmware is gargoyle. I'm not living in an area where fibre is available so not as lucky as you.

As far as the process, there were two main hurdles - to get roku3 past the software update point, which I resolved by configuring the router with OpenDns settings and getting the the netflix on, which was resolved by following the guide I linked above. Interestingly I did not actually need unotelly to run netflix, it runs fine without. But before I found their help page I was already ready to give up.

I'm not sure what router slingshot supplies, but if it does not let you 1) override DNS settings 2) block google/OpenDns you might need to get a different one. Gargoyle has the option "Force Clients To Use Router DNS Servers" but I'm not actually sure if it helps since I also put firewall rules to block google/opendns ips completely - just for good measure.