Vodafone Sure Signal - Is It Compatible With PPPoE Connections?

[s4vva]

After a long time testing and reconfiguring several makes of routers I have come the conclusion that the Sure Signal is not compatible with PPPoE connections.

If anyone does have it working please post the details here (router manufacturer, ISP etc.) I would love someone to prove me wrong!

@Vodafone - Are there any plans for a firmware/device upgrade that does support PPPoE?

[s4vva]

Just wanted to put this one to bed;

As you all know I have tested several routers with the PPPoE connection and couldn't get the SS to work. I have since ordered a secondary PPPoA connection, same routers, same settings and the SS works.

I would say that is quite conclusive that the SS does not like PPPoE.

And for anyone that is interested I tested Linksys, Netgear and Draytek (2800 & 2820) routers. Currently running a Draytek 2820 with both connections (load balanced) with the SS only using the PPPoA connection. Life is good now, shame Vodafone support isn't.

[UKenGB]

Just wanted to put this one to bed;

As you all know I have tested several routers with the PPPoE connection and couldn't get the SS to work. I have since ordered a secondary PPPoA connection, same routers, same settings and the SS works.

I would say that is quite conclusive that the SS does not like PPPoE.

I don't know how many times I have to say this, but the problem is not PPPoE. There are people on these forums who use PPPoE from their router to their provider and the SS works perfectly. I say again, it is NOT PPPoE. The SS knows NOTHING about how it's packets get transmitted apart from the fact it sends them out onto an ETHERNET network. It's like saying I don't like sending letters via the motorway when the truth is I have no knowledge of or need to know the actual roads over which my letter is transported. However, there might be an issue with a motorway being closed for some reason and that preventing my letter from getting through, but that doesn't mean the post doesn't work over motorways. Use a different motorway and everything works.

As to what the real reason is for the SS failing to work in some situations, still no answer from Vodafone who are being suspiciously silent on the matter. Same as Draytek in fact who have nothing to say about why their Vigor 120 causes the problem.

[thermionic]

I concur, until VF can provide a reason to back up their claim, then the claim is spurious

[s4vva]

I don't know how many times I have to say this, but the problem is not PPPoE. There are people on these forums who use PPPoE from their router to their provider and the SS works perfectly. I say again, it is NOT PPPoE. The SS knows NOTHING about how it's packets get transmitted apart from the fact it sends them out onto an ETHERNET network. It's like saying I don't like sending letters via the motorway when the truth is I have no knowledge of or need to know the actual roads over which my letter is transported. However, there might be an issue with a motorway being closed for some reason and that preventing my letter from getting through, but that doesn't mean the post doesn't work over motorways. Use a different motorway and everything works.

As to what the real reason is for the SS failing to work in some situations, still no answer from Vodafone who are being suspiciously silent on the matter. Same as Draytek in fact who have nothing to say about why their Vigor 120 causes the problem.

I don't know why you have this attitude, you can say it as many times as you like. It won't change the fact that the SS does not work on three routers on a PPPoE connection, when the connection is changed to a PPPoA connection and the remaining router settings are left the same the SS works.

Your analogy is poor and irrelevant. You probably know already but there are differences between the two connections mentioned e.g. MTU size being just one. These differences could easily (and quite obviously in my case) have an impact on the functionality of the SS.

I am not saying that the SS will never work with PPPoE but my experience tells me that it is less likely to work with PPPoE than PPPoA, and as such potential buyers should be aware.

[fundutzi]

This post may be related here.

[readesgs]

FTTC uses PPPoE and since this is being rolled out and said to replace ADSL (PPPoA) I'm surprised Vodafone haven't future-proofed their Sure Signal devices. If there are indeed no plans to support PPPoE, then surely that means the Sure Signal is now obsolete?

[DeanUK]

Hi everyone

I have been having another headache with my Sure Signals and had given up on them tbh.  However, I did try connecting my V1 at my parents house and it connected and the lights all came on correctly after a matter of minutes which told me it was something I was doing at my house that was stopping them working.

I have read and read and read about PPPoE as I have a Netgear FVS318N connecting to a Draytek Vigor 120 ADSL modem.  I had resigned myself to the fact that the PPPoE was the problem because the SS's worked when I had an old Netgear DG834GT modem/router connecting to my ISP externally and my FVS318N internally.  The trouble was I had double NAT and I wanted to eliminate it and so the Draytek arrived and the SS never worked again.  I had put a SS in the DMZ and opened all ports and could see the SS trying to access VF servers but it never worked.

This evening, I have found a hidden page in the DG834GT setup which allowed me to turn off the routing aspect and  use it as a modem only.  Essentially, functioning in exactly the same way as the Draytek.  I removed the Draytek and replaced it with the DG834GT.  Nothing was changed on the FVS318N (i.e.  connecting to my ISP using PPPoE with an MTU of 1492).  Almost immediately the light pattern on the SS changed, the orange lights turned off and the internet light started pulsing.  I assume it is currently setting itself up as I can see NTP packets flying too and fro to VF servers in packet traces.

So therefore, I can confirm that PPPoE makes no difference to SS contrary to VF assertions.  I can also confirm that that the Draytek Vigor 120 ADSL modem seems to be the problem.

Hope this helps.

I will let you know when the SS has fully set itself up!

[DeanUK]

Hi everyone

Yup!  Works perfectly - took no time at all!

One red light and two white lights on a SS V3.  Full 3G signal on my iPhone 5S.

PPPoE - no problem

Draytek Vigor 120 - problem!

Hope this helps!

[DaveCD]

Hi DeanUK.

I've answered your other thread here.

DaveCD

[heyescroft]

Well, what interesting reading, much of it has gone over my head but the bits that have stuck are about the Draytek modem.  I have just bought a Linksys EA6900 broadband router to replace my aging Draytek 2820 but I obviously needed a modem so used my "trusty" Vigor 120.  My VSS3 has been working fine on the 2820 but now that I've put the EA6900 in I get the flashing power led and two orange leds. VF have closed their thread on this problem and this thread is the only one I've come across that comes close to providing a solution.

Off now to see if I can press my 2820 into becoming a PPPoA modem

Phil