Billion 8800NL pre-sales questions

Discussions for BiPAC 8800 series: 8800NL, 8800NLR2, 8800AXL, 8800AXLR2
VDSL2User
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat May 24, 2014 4:13 pm

Billion 8800NL pre-sales questions

Post by VDSL2User »

Hi, I am new to the forum and Billion products in general so please go easy on me.
I don't see a sub forum for the 8800NL so guess it is OK to post here.

I have been looking at various modems/routers that will work
with BT Infinity 2 and came accross the Billion 8800NL as a possible option
at the right price !

Before I commit to getting one however I wondered if anyone could answer a
few pre-sales type questions.

1) I am unable to find any online user manual for the device to see
all the configuration options and the user GUI interface, is there
one available ? (I have already found the 2 page pdf flyer on the device)

2) Does the device allow Telnet or SSH connections which could be used to
extract and monitor the VDSL line statistics (I assume it uses the Broadcom chipset) ?

3) If there is no telenet/SSH then what line statistics are available via the GUI ?

4) Will the device support G.INP and Vectoring either out the box or with a future
firmware upgrade ?

5) Does the device support profile 30a or will it in the future if BT/Openreach use it ?

6) Can the device be put in bridge mode for Modem only operation (should I wish to)
and then connected to an ASUS RT-N66U route which will use PPPoE, NAT and firewall directly ?

Sorry for the long list of questions but as the device is so new I am unable to find any reviews or
detailed information on it.
VDSL2User
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat May 24, 2014 4:13 pm

Re: Billion 8800NL pre-sales questions

Post by VDSL2User »

OK after taking a closer look at the 2 page PDF document
I think I can answer some of my own questions (and raise a new on!)

2+3) the document contains "with the renowned Broadcom chipset"
and "Embedded Telnet server for remote and local management"
so I guess we can use telent and normal Broadcom commands to
gain access to DSL line statistics.

4) The documnet also says "and vectoring on VDSL lines" so that
is half the question answered, just leaves G.INP support.

6) Again in the PDF file "It can also be used in modem mode only
(PPPoA half-bridge mode or PPPoE bridge mode) for use in front of
a dedicated firewall.", so I guess it would work with the ASUS RT-N66U router.

One new thing I would like to find out (question 7) is what Broadcom modem
driver code it is using at present the A2pv6C038m.d24j version or the very latest
A2pv6F039i.d24e version. I think the 39 version creates better sync rates and
lower error rates than the 38 version.
georrbot
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun May 25, 2014 1:17 pm
Location: Brighton, UK

Re: Billion 8800NL pre-sales questions

Post by georrbot »

I'm afraid I don't know where I'd find this information out - sorry!
billion_fan
Posts: 5374
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:30 pm

Re: Billion 8800NL pre-sales questions

Post by billion_fan »

VDSL2User wrote:Hi, I am new to the forum and Billion products in general so please go easy on me.
I don't see a sub forum for the 8800NL so guess it is OK to post here.

I have been looking at various modems/routers that will work
with BT Infinity 2 and came accross the Billion 8800NL as a possible option
at the right price !

Before I commit to getting one however I wondered if anyone could answer a
few pre-sales type questions.

1) I am unable to find any online user manual for the device to see
all the configuration options and the user GUI interface, is there
one available ? (I have already found the 2 page pdf flyer on the device)

2) Does the device allow Telnet or SSH connections which could be used to
extract and monitor the VDSL line statistics (I assume it uses the Broadcom chipset) ?

3) If there is no telenet/SSH then what line statistics are available via the GUI ?

4) Will the device support G.INP and Vectoring either out the box or with a future
firmware upgrade ?

5) Does the device support profile 30a or will it in the future if BT/Openreach use it ?

6) Can the device be put in bridge mode for Modem only operation (should I wish to)
and then connected to an ASUS RT-N66U route which will use PPPoE, NAT and firewall directly ?

Sorry for the long list of questions but as the device is so new I am unable to find any reviews or
detailed information on it.

1. User manual found on the attached link
http://www.billion.uk.com/esupport/inde ... ser-manual

2. Yes, see attached screen grab

3. Answered above

4. The device should support Vectoring

5. The device does not support profile 30a

6. Yes the device can be set to 'Brdige' mode so you can dial in with a PPPOE connection

7. Broadcom modem driver found on the attached screen grab from the web gui
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
VDSL2User
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat May 24, 2014 4:13 pm

Re: Billion 8800NL pre-sales questions

Post by VDSL2User »

Thanks billion_fan for your input and support, just what I am looking for, your a star.
I have now ordered the device which I should receive tomorrow
and once up and running and I have had a chance to see how it performs
I will try and create a review on the forum to help others thinking of going down this route.
2bagstew
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 3:17 am
Location: Co Durham

Re: Billion 8800NL pre-sales questions

Post by 2bagstew »

Hi

I got the 8800NL router running on ADSL+2 fibre due 31st July i hope ! and i've tweaked the SNR to get 23500 with 3db to spare.
The router has been running for nearly 2 weeks and it's been solid as a rock.
I paid £65 for it and i will recommending to my friends as in my opinion you can't buy better router at that price.
simon194
Posts: 49
Joined: Tue May 08, 2012 2:04 pm

Re: Billion 8800NL pre-sales questions

Post by simon194 »

I receive the router on 20th May and It's definitely an improvement over the old 8200N I've been using. The only issue I've really come across is the upstream sync speed which is a fair bit down on the Huawei HG612 as supplied by Openreach which also uses a Broadcom chipset.

The sync speed from the HG612 is:

Code: Select all

xdslcmd: ADSL driver and PHY status
Status: Showtime
Retrain Reason:	0
Last initialization procedure status:	0
Max:	Upstream rate = 19648 Kbps, Downstream rate = 50824 Kbps
Bearer:	0, Upstream rate = 19753 Kbps, Downstream rate = 51061 Kbps
and the sync speed from the 8800NL is:

Code: Select all

xdslctl: ADSL driver and PHY status
Status: Showtime
Last Retrain Reason:    1
Last initialization procedure status:   0
Max:    Upstream rate = 16384 Kbps, Downstream rate = 51684 Kbps
Bearer: 0, Upstream rate = 15844 Kbps, Downstream rate = 53583 Kbps
simon194
Posts: 49
Joined: Tue May 08, 2012 2:04 pm

Re: Billion 8800NL pre-sales questions

Post by simon194 »

VDSL2User wrote: 5) Does the device support profile 30a or will it in the future if BT/Openreach use it ?
AFAIK Openreach have no plans to rollout profile v30a at any time in the future as the focus is on vectoring on profile 17a at the moment and possibly G.FAST in the future. The only concern is that vectoring may only be rolled out on Huawei street kit because the ECI kit requires the MSAM to be replaced.
billion_fan
Posts: 5374
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:30 pm

Re: Billion 8800NL pre-sales questions

Post by billion_fan »

simon194 wrote:I receive the router on 20th May and It's definitely an improvement over the old 8200N I've been using. The only issue I've really come across is the upstream sync speed which is a fair bit down on the Huawei HG612 as supplied by Openreach which also uses a Broadcom chipset.

The sync speed from the HG612 is:

Code: Select all

xdslcmd: ADSL driver and PHY status
Status: Showtime
Retrain Reason:	0
Last initialization procedure status:	0
Max:	Upstream rate = 19648 Kbps, Downstream rate = 50824 Kbps
Bearer:	0, Upstream rate = 19753 Kbps, Downstream rate = 51061 Kbps
and the sync speed from the 8800NL is:

Code: Select all

xdslctl: ADSL driver and PHY status
Status: Showtime
Last Retrain Reason:    1
Last initialization procedure status:   0
Max:    Upstream rate = 16384 Kbps, Downstream rate = 51684 Kbps
Bearer: 0, Upstream rate = 15844 Kbps, Downstream rate = 53583 Kbps
Can you submit a ticket for us, so we can investigate, submit a ticket here http://www.billion.uk.com/esupport/inde ... ets/Submit
simon194
Posts: 49
Joined: Tue May 08, 2012 2:04 pm

Re: Billion 8800NL pre-sales questions

Post by simon194 »

billion_fan wrote:
simon194 wrote: Can you submit a ticket for us, so we can investigate, submit a ticket here http://www.billion.uk.com/esupport/inde ... ets/Submit
I have submitted a ticket.
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