VSSv2 and Belkin N600 ADSL Modem Router

[claireendicott]

Hello,

I have a new router - as above - model F9J1102V1.

My VSSv2 doesn't seem to get on very well with it.  I've had several attempts to connect which go on for hours (power light on plus 2x flashing lights) before eventually knocking out the router's internet connection.  Then, if I try a factory reset I just get the power light and nothing else which is how my VSSv2 is currently.  After much experimenting, resetting the unit, resetting the router, reading forums and general faffing around with it, I've now had poor Vodafone signal in the house for more than a week as it isn't able to connect at all.

VSSv2 serial number 40111051666.

Please could you advise me what to do next? 

Claire Endicott

[claireendicott]

Sounds like you might also need to know this ... cheers Tech Team

Download speed = 5.25mbps

Upload speed = 0.86mbps

Ping test = 28ms

Jitter = 3ms

IP address = 86.23.105.34

Tracert results =

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Jimmy>tracert 212.183.133.177

Tracing route to cluster4.vap.vodafone.co.uk [212.183.133.177]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms 1 ms <1 ms router [192.168.2.1]
2 20 ms 21 ms 20 ms brhm-bam-3.network.virginmedia.net [194.145.148.
66]
3 94 ms 81 ms 82 ms brhm-core-2a-xe-1110-2.network.virginmedia.net [
82.0.242.45]
4 90 ms 102 ms 121 ms brhm-bb-1c-ae17-0.network.virginmedia.net [62.25
3.174.73]
5 * * * Request timed out.
6 42 ms 51 ms 45 ms lndgw2.arcor-ip.net [195.66.224.124]
7 43 ms 43 ms 49 ms 85.205.116.6
8 * * * Request timed out.
9 * * * Request timed out.
10 * * * Request timed out.
11 * * * Request timed out.
12 * * * Request timed out.
13 * * * Request timed out.
14 * * * Request timed out.
15 * * * Request timed out.
16 * * * Request timed out.
17 * * * Request timed out.
18 * * * Request timed out.
19 * * * Request timed out.
20 * * * Request timed out.
21 * * * Request timed out.
22 * * * Request timed out.
23 * * * Request timed out.
24 * * * Request timed out.
25 * * * Request timed out.
26 * * * Request timed out.
27 * * * Request timed out.
28 * * * Request timed out.
29 * * * Request timed out.
30 * * * Request timed out.

Trace complete.

C:\Users\Jimmy>tracert 212.183.133.177

[Retired-James]

Hi claireendicott,

Thanks for your posts and the additional information.

Everything looks fine with the traceroute, IP address, ping and speeds.

Looking at the registration I can see that a location change has been detected which I’ve updated for you today.

If this doesn’t sort the problem out can you confirm that you’ve forwarded the relevant ports as listed below?

Manually configure your router to allow port-forwarding.

In most cases, routers support a system called Universal Plug-n-Play (UPnP), which sets up port-forwarding for you automatically. If you’ve got a complicated network setup, or a complex router, you may need to enter these settings manually.

Please see the following for a list of IP addresses and port numbers that need to be forwarded to your Sure Signal's internal IP address. For instructions on how to do this, we recommend you contact your ISP or Router Manufacturer, or refer to the default guide for your particular make and model, over at http://portforward.com.

Destination IP Addresses:
212.183.133.177
212.183.133.178
212.183.133.179
212.183.133.181
212.183.133.182
212.183.131.128/26

Ports and Protocols:
Port 50 - TCP/IP
Port 4500 - UDP
Port 500 - UDP
Port 123 - UDP

Port 8 - TCP/IP

Port 1723 (BT customers only) - TCP/UDP

Please note that in the above list of IP addresses, the notation "212.183.131.128/26" means the complete range of IP addresses between 212.183.131.128 and 212.183.131.191

Your router also needs to assign the Sure Signal with a DNS (Domain Name Server) address via DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

James

[claireendicott]

Thanks for a quick response James that was helpful.  I'd like to ask two further questions, please:

1.  Can you confim what you meant by a location change?

2.  Belkin helpdesk tell me that none of those IP addresses are compatible with their products and suggested I ask you for and IP address that is within the Belkin network range.  They tell me the Belkin network range is 192.168.2.2-100.  Are you able to provide me with an IP address that is withing the Belkin network range? 

[Retired-Dave]

Hi claireendicott,

Happy to clarify things.

1. A "location change" can mean either a physical move of the Sure Signal or a "virtual" change such as a new IP address. When this happens the box can sometimes need to be refreshed on the system.

2.  I think there may have been some confusion here. They are not IP addresses you have to assign to the Sure Signal, they're destination addresses which need to be allowed. This means they're in our IP range, not Belkin's.

As a Sure Signal user with a Belkin router myself, I can confirm that the system does work.

Dave

[claireendicott]

Thanks Dave that's clear.  Now that you've done what you need to do at your end to OK the location change I'll perhaps try restarting before doing any port forwarding.  I switched on an off again last night but just got the power light and nothing else.  Should I try a factory reset?

[Retired-Dave]

Hi claireendicott,

Glad I could help clear things up! :smileyhappy:

I've done another quick resync as there's been no change yet, so do the factory reset again now. Let us know if that helps.

Dave

If I've helped at all today, why not leave me a little feedback?

[claireendicott]

Hi Dave,

You have been very helpful so far and I will definitely leave positive feedback once we get this VSSv2 up and running again.  If you can get us back to having a decent vodafone signal in the house I'll be delighted.

So it's still not working.  Here's a summary of where I'm at so far and I'm hoping you've got some further suggestions as to what we could try next.

Hard reset

A hard reset (of the VSS) alone did not solve the problem so I went on to the steps relating to port forwarding and router settings.

Assigning the VSS an internal IP address by your Router
Checked this in DHCP settings and it's fine.  I can see the VSS in the list of devices. 

Manually configure your Router to allow port-forwarding.

Done, in line with the advice on portforward.com.  Sceen shot of the port forwarding settings from my router control panel attached FYI.  I also assigned a static IP address to the wireless network connection of my laptop as suggested in their guide.

Destination IP Addresses to be allowed:
The IP addresses you gave me which all begin 212 ... I cannot see where I might add these to be allowed by the router.  Belkin tell me the router allows all IP addresses by default and they too are unsure where we would add these as part of the router configuration.
 

Check your MTU settings

MTU is set to 1492 on the PPoA connection which I am using.  I changed it to 1500 and this messed up my internet connection - I could not connect to usual sites.  So, I changed it back.

Light sequence

Having done all this - if I now do a hard reset I get the constant power light, then two flashing blue lights after about five minutes (power light remains constant).  They continue to flash for about 15 minutes then go out.  Power light remains.  They used to flash for ages then eventually knock out the internet connection giving me a red light on the router, but this no longer happens.  I'm actually beginning to wonder if the VSS unit is broken.  

When I do a hard reset the light sequence is a little bit different to how you describe.  It goes like this: (1) hold reset button for about 30 seconds, power light stays constant, I eventually get a quick flash of both blue lights, they go out immediately (power light remains on) then I kill the power (2) wait anything from 20 seconds to a couple of minutes (3) whilst holding in the reset button, reconnect power (4) power light comes on and I get a quick flash of both blue lights, which then go out but power light remains constant (5) release reset button.

Could I have put it through too much and killed it!?

[claireendicott]

Should also mention that after a reset I usually wait overnight to see if it picks up a connection.

Can't attach screenshot of port forwarding settings page, so, it's here: 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32002662/Router%20Configuration%20Panel.pdf

[Retired-PaulE]

Hi Claire, 

I don't think you've killed it but it's still not getting through to our servers - you can check it's still ok by connecting it to another broadband connection

I've pushed another resynch through to see if this helps, if it doesn't work then we might need to look at a repair.

Paul