NAT Loopback / Hairpin

[e10310209]

Here is my issue: I have a somewhat non-standard setup at home that involves on top of the usual Internet / Mobile Devices etc, a CCTV System, Alarm System, NAS & FTP Server and home automation system for turning heat / lights etc on and off. All these systems have mobile apps for using managing them, and are all set up on iPhones / iPads. Inside the property, connected to the Wifi, the Vodafone Router isn't able to translate the External Address to the Internal one, meaning, I can set the apps up to work either inside the house (whilst connected to the Wifi) or outside the house (whilst connected to 3G) So; In summary: So when connected to Wifi at home, I can set the alarm app up to look at (for example) 192.168.0.50; but when I go off wifi, the app fails to connect. I previously set the alarm app up to look at (for example) my.external.ip and the port forwarding rules at the router made it look at 192.168.0.50 from an external connection - this still works; but when I connect to wifi internally, it then fails. Previously a Sky Broadband customer, and the Sky Router handled this perfectly well. A previous conversation with Vodafone 1st Line tech, their solution was to speak to the Application Developers and ask them for an update ..... (really...) This is not a 1st line tech issue, has anyone got any details that I can communicate with 2nd Level directly as it's frustrating as hell.... or apparently I remember seeing that the previous firmware version supported NAT Loopback / Hairpin

[Makelo]

Have you set the app to lookup your WAN IP address or a DDNS hostname?

If it's a DDNS hostname with appropriate port forwarding then it should work, albeit probably via the internet rather than a purely internal connection.

When connected to Wi-Fi, if it fails with a hostname, or your WAN IP address, for example you get the router login instead, then .... well it's a bit complicated. 

It's all down to how the router handles internal connections to it's own external IP address, not all of them behave correctly. As you state the same setup worked with a Sky router my belief would be that it's a router problem.

[e10310209]

Hi Makelo

Pointing the apps at the external Host Name, when not connected to the Wifi work fine.

When configured to look at the external host name, and subsequently connected to the router Wifi, they do not resolve.

I need to change these to the internal IP

All external Port forwarding is in place, and works fine external to the wifi network.

It's to do with NAT Loopback and aparantly was enabled in a previous version of the router firmware.

[Paul_NI]

This is a known issue with the Vodafone supplied router that they have no fix for.  

I had this same issue and needed to do similar as yourself with CCTV etc.  My only solution was a complaint to VF top level who then provided me with my login details to use my own router.  Problem solved.

[e10310209]

Hi Paul

Any details you could give me re: contact as I'm getting the standard 1st level support.

And you got login details for fibre.... not ADSL?

[Paul_NI]

Yes, fibre login.
Demanded to make a complaint against the 'management decision ' not to provide login details on the basis that the known routing fault cannot be corrected. Therefore, this decision prevented me using the service correctly.
It took 40 minutes and some of the usual dimwits. Just ask, "Are you refusing to let me make a complaint against your management?"

Got there in the end. Local guy in top level complaints gave me my username and password.

[e10310209]

Hey Paul; just an update
I actually ended up getting through to Customer Relations; they wouldn't release the username and password and claimed it was against policy.

Also told me that staff have been disciplined for releasing the username & password

However as a solution to my issue; they have agrees to release me from my contracts without penalty as the router is not fit for my purpose.

So a bit of upheaval for me and tweaking; and pain to move; regardless who I try to move to now I can't get fibre because "there is no more capacity left in the cabinet"

Sky are trying to do an existing line takeover in the hope I can retain my spot in the FTTC Cabinet (there must have been some issue in the original order with the phone number and a returning account so the placed it as a "new" order.

Either way I'll be back to my original setup with Sky

[Amanda]

@e10310209

Thanks for getting back in touch, though I'm sorry to hear this was the only way to resolve the issue.  

Unfortunately as you've already taken this to the Customer Relations team, we're unable to intervene. 

Thanks, 

[Paul_NI]

Totally unbelievable they are prepared to lose the contact over this. I shall count myself lucky that I got what I needed without the additional troubles you will have to go through.
Hopefully everything works out and you are soon live with your own kit.