Anyone using Unblock-US with Slingshot?

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Anyone using Unblock-US with Slingshot?

1 | 2 | 3

2074 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#591209 6-Mar-2012 12:49

What are the implications of disabling this 'caching' via Slingshot?

I understand they do it to improve the end user experience - if I go down this route am I going to see an obvious slow down in access things like Youtube etc?

Slingshot

1004 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Slingshot

#591210 6-Mar-2012 12:50

SumnerBoy:
When you say delays do you mean from when I disable the option in my account, and when I will see it start working?

I changed the setting and restarted my router/modem but it didn't appear to make any difference (immediately). Are you suggestion I do all this and then wait a period of time before trying?

How long typically should I be waiting?

BTW - thanks for your help!

Hi,

Yea it should turn off in 10 - 20 mins normally but in this case perhaps there is a delay hence it still not working.

How long ago was it now that you turned it off?

Cheers,
Joe.

www.slingshot.co.nz

www.twitter.com/SlingshotNZ

https://www.facebook.com/SlingshotNZ

Slingshot

1004 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Slingshot

#591216 6-Mar-2012 12:55

SumnerBoy: What are the implications of disabling this 'caching' via Slingshot?

I understand they do it to improve the end user experience - if I go down this route am I going to see an obvious slow down in access things like Youtube etc?

It wont affect Youtube as Youtube and Google have seperate caching platforms but other sites and subsequent downloads will be affected.

Cheers,
Joe.

www.slingshot.co.nz

www.twitter.com/SlingshotNZ

https://www.facebook.com/SlingshotNZ

SumnerBoy

2074 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#591219 6-Mar-2012 12:58

Slingshot: How long ago was it now that you turned it off?

I have since reset the option and cancelled all my trial periods with Unblock-US and Netflix - as I assumed it was just not possible.

I might try and re-start those trials and re-test - this time giving it some more time for the change at your end to filter through.

Although I am starting to think a VPN based service (like Astrill) might be a better option as this won't force me to disable the Slingshot caching, and with the DD-WRT firmware on my WNDR3700 I should be able to configure it so only the Revue is going over the VPN.

Seems like the best of both worlds.

semigeek

1606 posts

Uber Geek

#591225 6-Mar-2012 13:04

Just tried it, disabled cache, rebooted router, input dns addresses, rebooted router again. Works perfectly

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#591238 6-Mar-2012 13:21

Slightly offtopic. I am thinking of switching to the Slingshot Unlimited Naked DSL Plan.
Can I expect vpn problems with Netflix etc due to Slingshot traffic shaping?

reven

3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#591300 6-Mar-2012 15:12

BraaiGuy:
SumnerBoy: Because Slingshot use transparent proxies the service from Unblock-US doesn't work. I tried disabling 'caching' in my Slingshot account settings and whilst it let me get a few steps further (i.e. I was able to get to the sign up page for Netflix) when it came to running the 'Check Service' on Unblock-us.com the check failed and when I went to stream a movie it also failed.

Just wondering if anyone has got any clever solutions or ideas of how this can be made to work with Slingshot? Seems like a great idea, and since I just bought a Google TV (Revue) I really want to take advantage of Netflix - which I can't do without some sort of VPN/DNS magic.

The Revue doesn't have a VPN client built in and I don't want ALL my internet traffic going through something like 'Hide My Ass' so short of buying a new DD-WRT compatible router and using it as a dedicated VPN client for the Revue, I am stuck with Unblock-US - which doesn't work for me currently...

Any ideas?

I tried unblock-us on Snap and could not get it to work either. I resorted to signing up to Astrill VPN (US$5.83 per month), which comes with an install for your DD-WRT router. It works well, and you are able to configure which which IP's go through the VPN. No need for your device to have special capabilities to use the VPN.

I use Netflix, Hulu+ and Vudu all via my PS3

i've been using unblock-us with snap for a better part of a year without any problems, just in case any other snap user reads this.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

SumnerBoy

2074 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#591507 7-Mar-2012 09:03

So what are your expert opinions about the two options? Am I better to go with the DNS-magic of Unblock-US and forego the caching provided by Slingshot for all my internet access, or go with a VPN solution like Astrill (on a DD-WRT flashed router) which will allow me to only send my Google TV traffic over the VPN and everything else works as normal - including Slingshot caching turned on for normal traffic?

I think price wise they are close to the same for each service, so it is a matter of what is going to be the most reliable and fastest.

Very interested in your opinions on this one.

Cheers,
Ben

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#591525 7-Mar-2012 09:43

In my (probably slightly biased) opinion:

Unblock-US Pros:
- Possibly faster than VPN solutions as its unencrypted traffic.
- Its slightly cheaper
- No extra hardware required

Unblock-US Cons:
- Not a VPN solution. Unsecured connection. Your ISP can inspect/shape traffic.
- Still unsure if Netflix really works.
- Loose all your caching
- US only

Astrill Pros:
- Multiple VPN Servers around the world. (US/UK/Aus etc)
- Ability to switch VPN Server from DD-WRT Web interface without having to change any config on any devices
- Can use the secure VPN software on any network. Nice for privacy when on the road or at work.
- Works on all major applications
- An extra $1 a month for L2TP/IPSec / PPTP VPN on your iphone/Android phone

Astrill Cons:
- The cheaper option is a 1year deal
- Extra hardware: To implement you will need DD-WRT router.

Singup for the Astril trial, you have 7days to validate it works.

SumnerBoy

2074 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#591526 7-Mar-2012 09:49

Yep - that is pretty much what I came up with in my list of pros/cons as well. Good to see I am thinking on the right track. I just have to grow some balls and flash my nice new shiney WNDR3700 router with DD-WRT.

That might have to wait until the weekend since I work from home and can't afford a bricked router!!

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#591534 7-Mar-2012 09:59

What Slingshot plan are you on?

SumnerBoy

2074 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#591541 7-Mar-2012 10:11

$60 AYCE

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#591545 7-Mar-2012 10:19

SumnerBoy: $60 AYCE

Great. Will be interested in hearing how it works. I am thinking of switching to the Naked Broadband AYCE

As unblock-us is unencrypted I think the biggest problem you can face is that Slingshot starts to shape this traffic.

SumnerBoy

2074 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#591550 7-Mar-2012 10:23

Yeah but I think I am going to end up going down the Astrill route. So that shouldn't be an issue should it? All the traffic over the VPN will be encrypted, and all my normal traffic will be going thru the Slingshot caches.

Or am I missing something?

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#591552 7-Mar-2012 10:27

If they shape international traffic yes it will be affected. And as far as I know Slingshot only shapes traffic on the AYCE plans.

Maybe Slingshot can give us an idea? I asked the question previously but have not had an answer from Slingshot.

1 | 2 | 3