BT Home Hub v1 and v1.5 2/2: Thomson CLI and Voice Features

Hello Again!

Although the home hub (HH) routers can be both configured via the web interface and the configuration wizard software (see part 1 here), there is another 'hidden' powerful tool in the form of CLI that not only provides configuration options but many extra options too. In order to use the CLI interface, one needs to have a Telnet Client in the form of the client built into WindowsOS or a separate utility like PuTTY. The CLI Reference, uploaded at http://1drv.ms/1NlbDf6, shall also come in handy.

An example for changing the DNS Server Addresses:

 telnet 192.168.1.254

 dns server route ?

 dns server route list

 dns server route add dns = 199.85.126.20 metric = 5 intf = Internet  
 dns server route add dns = 8.26.56.26 metric = 7 intf = Internet

- I have used the DNS Server Address of Norton DNS and Comodo DNS respectively in this case as an example ... replace with your own 

- The 'Metric' can be thought of as priority for the DNS Server, the lower the number the higher the priority

 saveall  
 system reboot

 - Ignore the mbus errors as ContentSharing is not fully implemented in the 7.4.1.7 firmware for the HHs

Another example for tweaking the LCP Echo Request parameter(s)! The LCP Echo Request mechanism is used to confirm link connectivity and if there is no response to these requests from the ISP's side (in a certain time period after certain retries), then, the connection is dropped due to no connectivity!

(To continue reading, please click on 'Read More')


However, too aggressive requests and/or link congestion with slow response from ISP's side can cause disconnections without any problems on the dsl line, the symptom being new IP address (periodically) without any re-sync. This can be a problem for always-on connection users!

Fortunately, the HHs allow tweaking of the parameter(s) quite easily once you get to Telnet session:

- Using KiTTY (a fork of PuTTY) this time:

 - 'Menu' makes it easy

 - First, we need to detach the ppp interface currently in use

 - In this case, the name is 'Internet' but could be different depending upon configuration

 - Then, 'ifconfig' can be used

 - Here, it was decided to only modify the 'retryinterval' from its default of 10 to 15 ... note the description at the bottom that provides some explanation of the parameter ... quite helpful!

 - 'echotolerance' can also be increased!

 - After making changes and selecting 'OK', we need to re-attach the ppp interface

 - Escaping from the menu via '..' and then 'Cancel'

 - Finally, its a good idea to save the changes via 'saveall' command!

Now, there shouldn't be any more problems of ppp sessions ending due to 'aggressive' requests and/or congestion/slow response from ISP!


There are many other commands that might be useful and one may refer to the CLI Reference Manual for these as mentioned above! However, there also exist some Application Notes that come in handy when you are trying to achieve a particular configuration such as Multi-PVC configuration!

One example provided by Application Notes can be applied to the ISP PTCL regarding Multi-PVC setup with another VC for IPTV services! In fact, with use of FlexiPort that is builtin the HHs, this type of configuration is supposed to be superior to that of 'Interface Grouping' provided by the ISP/PTCL-supplied routers, although one has to use the CLI for the HHs! The particular Application Note is available at: http://1drv.ms/1KXilC5

Note: I plan on testing this configuration method sometime later as I don't currently subscribe to the ISP (PTCL)'s SmartTV service (using other MMDS 'cable' from DWN ... though can use PTCL's OTT media service when needed)

DMT Tool

Although DMT Tool v7.35 does not support the firmware version 7.4.1.7 (see st585v6 here with firmware that is better supported), it still can (mostly) be used by enabling support for untested firmware versions as shown below:

 - Some of the built-in commands also work!

Though not all options may work, it is still useful such as visualizing the Bit Allocation Table!



Moving on to the Voice Features of the BT HHs:

Warning: DECT v6 that operates on 1900 MHz Frequency Band designed for US is banned in Pakistan as the 1900 MHz band is being used by cellular operators (who paid license fee for this band) and DECT v6 can cause interference in this band! The public notice by PTA can be read here!

Caution: VoIP is prohibited by PTA on 'data' networks (though enforcement depends upon the ISP) without permission in Pakistan due to 'illegal' gateway exchanges! For VoIP configuration outside Pakistan (or with required permissions), kindly refer to the User Manual and your VoIP provider for configuration details like the ones provided for SpeedTouch 780WL (similar to BTHH) by 'voiptalk' here!

Fortunately, the BT HH phones are not DECT v6/6.0 and can be used like cordless phones. The HH1 came with Hub Phone 1010 and the HHv1.5  came with Hub Phone 1020, the 1020 model being same as 1010 apart from the colour display and lacking related colour display based features. Info for both models is available here.

(To be continued...)