TSTT Forum: guy_smiley - Viewing Profile

Just noticed that the sixth LED "Telephone 1" on the Flow modem is now lit. Anyone here involved in the testing?

About a week and half ago I noticed a problem with my router. I had just powered it up (along with my desktop PC) and got no IP address. I did the usual reset, power cycle of the flow modem, etc and still nothing. Plugged the patch cord directly into my PC and bingo... IP address assigned.
Cloned my MAC address onto the router... nothing.
Plugged back directly into the modem ... IP assigned.

Began to wonder if my router was fried. Power cycled it and a few minutes later got an IP.

Same problem the next day. Updated the router's firmware.

Same problem the day after. Left PC alone and came back about 20 minutes later to find IP assigned and all well.

Stopped powering off modem and just left it on, even though none of my computers were on. Started to check the prices of routers, thinking I had better buy a replacement soon.

Went by a friend yesterday. He complained that if he connects directly, he gets online, but via his router nothing.
Verified this myself.

We called Flow. CSR said that yes, there is a problem with routers being assigned IP addresses. I told him I had cloned the PC's MAC address onto the router and still could not connect. Yes, he said, that won't help.. it is the router itself that is being denied the DHCP lease. Their technicians are aware of the problem and are working on it. Things should be resolved in a few hours. Then internet went down completely. Only assigned IP was 192.168.100.2 so all you could do is check the modem status.

Friend called again today... internet finally up via the router. Took about 12 hours. Before it came back, he could connect directly via his PC

Now I was surprised that flow could distinguish between a router and a NIC. Turns out that you can do this.

http://www.sflow.org/detectNAT/

But based on what I read in that, one would have to be profiling the IP address to determine if a NAT router was present.

Now is Flow profiling customers with a view to blacklisting routers, so that in the future we are forced to pay per computer attached (like they do with the cable TV)?

What I find odd is that the router is being blocked but the NIC is not (both with the same MAC address). How are they doing that?

If I didn't see this with my own router and with someone else's (different brand etc) I would not believe it. I could even see a coincidence with both my router and my friend's own going bad the same time. But the Flow CSR confirmed the thing.....

Dear Valued Customer,

Please be advised that our upstream Internet provider will be performing schedule maintenance operations on Thursday March 13th, 2008 at 5:00 GMT (6 hour duration).

The purpose of this work is to perform an “IOS UPGRADE”. This maintenance activity should be transparent and non-service-affecting but you may experience a small switching hit and slower service during the scheduled time.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to give our Internet Helpdesk a call at 645-FLOW(3569) ext 2002.

Sincerely,
Flow Internet Helpdesk