Are Hub One routers subject to replacement due to age?

[#1]

I've got a Hub One that I've had for at least six years now. It apparently has the current firmware revision:

Software version 4.7.5.1.83.8.289.1.3 | Last updated 06/12/21

Given that it's not had an update in three years, is there any plan for Plusnet to update or replace them? I've got at least one niggle with this one, which is a recurrence of what I reported in this old post, namely that I have two devices showing in the Advance Settings - Home Network - Devices list which either definitely don't exist (i.e. a virtual machine which I have definitely deleted, and which the router shows with a different MAC than the VM actually had) or probably don't exist (i.e. an unknown device which shows as "connected" despite its IP/MAC not being detectable on the network and not responding to ping).

Repeated attempts to delete these devices over several months have all failed. One claims to have been given a static IP, but the router won't let me change the IP or set it back to DHCP. The devices may disappear on their own, as was the case in my last post, but I'm not holding my breath.

Another, more important, issue came up about a year ago when PN's primary and secondary DNS servers both failed and it turned out that you can't actually change the DNS on a Hub One, because why would anybody ever need to do that? Apparently, the Hub 2 lets you, and while I have no idea what the current standard router is, I'd hope that anything more recent than a Hub 2 lets you do it too.

Anyway, am I stuck with this router until I either buy a replacement or (more likely) change ISPs?

[#2]

@Morf Have you ever renewed your contract over this period? At one time, renewing would automaticity mean you would get a new  Hub, these days you are given the option of requesting a new one.

I think you can request a replacement on renewal, or possibly get one by calling and asking for one - it will cost you the £6.99 P&P, though.

[#3]

@Morf 

For what it is worth the Hub Two has not had an update for 18 months

Could these unknow devices be randomised MAC addresses? Many Smart phone and tablet adopt this feature, even later laptops might.

Have you considered a factory reset to see if that sorts the problem to your satisfaction?  Maybe take a backup first.

Comparing Hub One and Two DHCP servers I would prefer the Hub One, the setup is cleaner than the Two. With the Hub One IP Addresses are allocated in sequence where as the Two the are randomly allocated. Setting devices to use the same IP Address on the Two can be a challenge.

Here are some of the Hub two features

1) Only three LAN ports
2) Both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wireless share the same name (it is not possible to split them)
4) Seven internal antennas (3x 2.4GHz, 4x 5GHz)
5) Beamforming (Implicit and Explicit Beamforming)
6) Can be configure to use your preferred public DNS providers (or use your own local DNS server like pi-hole)
7) Can be configured to respond to remote ICMP (ping), this allows the use of Thinkbroadband Quality Monitor
8  The option to export event logs and status screen as a csv file, which is useful for fault finding
9) Can be configured to 'bridge mode' (modem only), allows for clean implementation of a mesh system or 3rd party router
10) On/Off front panel light setting

HTH

[#4]

@Dan_the_Van 

1) Only three LAN ports - If you need more, can you not buy (relatively) cheap adapters?

2) Both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wireless share the same name (it is not possible to split them) - looking at the other connections in my local area, that appears to be the situation with a number of ISP supplied routers.

Not arguing with you, but I just thought I'd mention it.

[#5]

@jab1 

Both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wireless share the same name (it is not possible to split them) - looking at the other connections in my local area, that appears to be the situation with a number of ISP supplied routers.

The Hub One does allow for the splitting of the wireless names, that's why it's mentioned as it may be important if you use the feature.

[#6]

Fair enough, @Dan_the_Van .

[#7]

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@Morf wrote:

I've got a Hub One that I've had for at least six years now. It apparently has the current firmware revision:

Software version 4.7.5.1.83.8.289.1.3 | Last updated 06/12/21

Given that it's not had an update in three years, is there any plan for Plusnet to update or replace them?

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Ignoring the pros and cons of Hubs 1 and 2: Your hub is on the latest version. This is a mature design so there hasn't been any recent need to update the firmware. They are not automatically replaced unless you are upgrading to full fibre.

If it fails or you are renewing your contract then a Hub 2 will be supplied on request. Depending on the circumstances the P&P charge might be applied.

[#8]

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@Dan_the_Van wrote:

Comparing Hub One and Two DHCP servers I would prefer the Hub One, ...

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Amongst other things, the Hub One (being a BTHH5a) lends itself to constant dynamic monitoring, which can be useful in the presence of multiple disconnections / poor performance on an otherwise reported to be fault free line.

[#9]

@jab1: I'm not on contract, mainly because I've been planning to consolidate phone and internet for a while now (and PN don't do net and phone anymore, I think), but not actually getting around to it. I'm not likely to arbitrarily request or buy a new router because I don't feel the need to contribute more to e-waste than I already do, and if there are pros and cons to moving to a Hub 2 then it doesn't sound like it's worth it. Openreach hasn't laid out fibre in my street yet, so if I were intending to go FTTH it'd have to be with Virgin, but would either cut off my phone line or force me onto VOIP, neither of which I wish to do right now. Also, I'd have a hard time getting the best out of a faster connection than I currently have because my house LAN is powerline-based and woefully slow. (And yeah, the Virgin guy tried to sell me on their router with WiFi 7, but none of my gear is recent enough to use 7 or probably even the full bandwidth of fibre.)

@Baldrick1: I guess I'll stick with the Hub 1 for now and hope that nothing bad happens, like an unpatched security vulnerability.

@Dan_the_Van : I thought about doing a reset, but I want to see if the ghosts will clear on their own first.

[#10]

@Morf The decision is up to you. The chances of 'an unpatched security vulnerability' are low enough to be disregarded, so if the H1 is still doing what it is supposed to, you can stick with it.

You will be 'forced onto VOIP' in the relatively near future, as Openreach have announced that the PSTN network is planned to be totally closed in the 'near' future - sometime between December 2025/December 2027.

[#11]

@jab1 : Yes, I've see BT's plans on VOIP, but they've not given a concrete timescale in my area. When I brought this up with the Virgin guy, whose offerings did not include phone lines, and who was unclear on whether or not they'd be able to bring the fibre line into the house without cutting off the existing phone line, he told me that Virgin has no VOIP offering, but would recommend a third party to provide it.

I'm happy enough kicking that can down the road. Also I just had to buy new non-VOIP handsets and I'm too lazy/frugal to spend more money to adapt them to VOIP right now.

[#12]

@Morf 

You could check the OR website to see if there are any plans for your property - www.openreach.com

Would I be correct in thinking you've got a BT phone line and a PlusNet internet connection?

If so, you may need to take action sooner rather than later. Although the PSTN switch off isn't until Dec 2025 (my opinion) BT Retail are changing all their residental phone customers onto Digital Voice. If and when that happpens it would cancel your PN connection.

As you state, PN do not do VOIP. You could move to BT / EE at any time to get both services from the same supplier or move to another ISP who does both. Have a good look at Zen Internet - not only do they do both they have a highly regarded router which has a phone port.

If you would prefer to stay with PN for internet look at A&A for VOIP. They also have a good FAQ on VOIP. Note - you need to sort out your inernet first before changing the phone service. You line needs to be changed to SOGEA (if on FTTC).

https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/

Finally, I suspect you'll be paying through the teeth for a non contract internet service. It's worth looking at now just to save some money.

Brian

[#13]

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@Morf wrote:

@jab1 : Yes, I've see BT's plans on VOIP, but they've not given a concrete timescale in my area. When I brought this up with the Virgin guy, whose offerings did not include phone lines, and who was unclear on whether or not they'd be able to bring the fibre line into the house without cutting off the existing phone line, he told me that Virgin has no VOIP offering, but would recommend a third party to provide it.

I'm happy enough kicking that can down the road. Also I just had to buy new non-VOIP handsets and I'm too lazy/frugal to spend more money to adapt them to VOIP right now.

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As @bmc has said above, and I mentioned in my previous reply, the current PSTN  'copper phone line' service is going to be decommissioned within two years, and preparing for that now, rather than in a rush a month before it happens is a very good plan.

I can't comment on the Virgin reps knowledge as I have had very little to do with them, but I do know that they have a strategy for their current customers whose calls are routed over the PSTN .

Your 'non-VOIP' handsets will work with the VOIP technology - they will connect to your router via adapters..

[#14]

Thanks for the advice, all.

@bmc : Yes, BT phone, PN internet. I mainly need to change because the BT service is far too expensive for what it offers, while the internet is mostly overpriced because of the yearly cost increases. That said, if I change to PN's suggested contract now, it'd be just as expensive as my current contract the next time the yearly £3 increase hits anyway, but I'd be locked in for 18/24 months. Not worth the hassle if I'm going to have to rework everything again for VOIP in short order.

@jab1 : I currently have three wireless handsets served from the same base station, so only need one phone port. I've had a brief look at adapters to VOIP them, so I know the likely cost, but I haven't done the research to know what services (e.g. caller ID) will still function through the adapter, hence the lack of rush on my end. Were it up to me, I'd not even bother (I don't use the landline as a contact number, only my mobile), but I have other users to consider.

[#15]

@Morf re: caller ID - this will still functions on VOIP, and as you only use the land-line as a 'contact number' I don't see the issue. I only use mine for incoming calls from a couple of contacts, so haven't explored the full functionality, but apart from the need for the adapter, as the service is provided via the internet rather than PSTN , you will notice no change.