Orcon Genius DHCP and Ethernet

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, 2talk and Vocus) › Orcon Genius DHCP and Ethernet

viragored

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#133909 7-Nov-2013 16:34

Hi everyone. I'm just weighing up whether to switch over to Orcon as a cheaper ISP than Telstra. I've a couple of technical questions to settle before signing on the dotted line, so I phoned Orcon and was put through to a tech help desk where the guy didn't seem able to understand the questions. Maybe someone here can help?

I have a wired+wireless network in the house with several devices on it, some of which require static IP addresses; the rest are happy with DHCP. Can I reserve a range of IP addresses in the Genius modem for my static addresses?
I use all four ethernet ports on my current router, but spotted a comment in this thread http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=82&topicid=133828 (second post; first reply) that suggests one of the four ethernet ports is not available for client use. Is that correct or can I continue to use all four ethernet ports?

The 'wrong answer' to either of these questions would be a showstopper for me switching over to Genius.

Thanks in advance

Edit: I meant to ask if anyone has a link to the technical manual for the Genius modem.

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

#928919 7-Nov-2013 16:44

I have a wired+wireless network in the house with several devices on it, some of which require static IP addresses; the rest are happy with DHCP. Can I reserve a range of IP addresses in the Genius modem for my static addresses?

Yes, you can reserve addresses or simply exclude them from the DHCP scope and assign them statically.

I use all four ethernet ports on my current router, but spotted a comment in this thread http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=82&topicid=133828 (second post; first reply) that suggests one of the four ethernet ports is not available for client use. Is that correct or can I continue to use all four ethernet ports?

You are correct, port 4 is reserved for WAN port for UFB. So you'd need an ethernet switch to have 4 ports available for your devices with Genius.

Life360

Affiliate link

Affiliate link: Life360 protects each family member with advanced driving, digital, and location safety features. Choose the plan that fits your family’s size and life stage.

viragored

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#928927 7-Nov-2013 16:50

Wow, quick reply! Thanks heaps.

I hadn't thought about using an ethernet switch - that would certainly be easy to put in by my patch panel. And then Orcon can save me some $$

That's helped me make the decision.

Cheers

RunningMan

7071 posts

Uber Geek

#928928 7-Nov-2013 16:51

You could add an external switch to increase the number of ethernet ports if required, unless you have some specific space or power requirements.

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

#928929 7-Nov-2013 16:51

You're very welcome. And also, Welcome on board!

gehenna

7374 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#928941 7-Nov-2013 17:24

I believe the UFB port can be turned on or off via the firmware, turning it back into a standard switch port.

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

#928944 7-Nov-2013 17:30

gehenna: I believe the UFB port can be turned on or off via the firmware, turning it back into a standard switch port.

Technically, yes, however it's not a configuration we test or support, and a factory reset will render the port inoperable again until the configuration is adjusted. So we don't recommend it.

viragored

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#929024 7-Nov-2013 19:09

I've just picked up from TradeMe a dirt cheap ethernet switch, so will use that to get my four ports. Speed is only an issue on two of the ports, so the (probably slow?) switch can handle the others.

Thanks everyone!