Remote network problem

[Anonymous]

I downloaded a whole box set without a single failure. So looks good.

But I read an interesting thread and someone highlighted that the nature of 4g means the IP address can change frequently. That's fine unless it changes as Sky switches between adverts and content. Then it gets rejected. That makes sense.

so setting up a vpn on the router may address the issue. Sadly, getting vpn working is another challenge! The Huawei fails to connect to pptp :lia_face-with-rolling-eyes:

[Anonymous]

Although I had success with the BT wired approach, using a power line extension) I still wanted to get the 4G option working. I have connected the Hiawei B535-232 router to VPN (LPTP) using expressvpn to try it out. I have now had one failure out of 25 downloads and it would have been 1 success in 25 before. So, I'm going to test this for a month before deciding whether it's worth keeping the VPN in place. 

[Alex+Cooke]

So expressvpn provides a remote vpn host that you connect the router to? I thought it was to provide vpn inbound to a server in your firewall. Will take a look at this also although I'm still doing fine so may just leave it :lia_rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:

[Anonymous]

Yes. I'm connected to an ExpressVPN server via config onboard the router. That seems to have made a difference and as the LPTP is lightweight I'm not seeing a degrade in throughput. :lia_thumbs-up-tone-2:

[Shimme]

You really should put the tag the poster out of manners. Just saying... The hint is below the text box when you reply.

[Anonymous]

@Shimme I've looked at your posts and not once have you followed that hint yourself. Thanks for the pointer though as it wasn't something I considered when replying. :lia_thumbs-up-tone-2:

[Shimme]

@Anonymous That's because there was no info that I used. Tell me where did you find the IP address changing theory?

[Shimme]

@Anonymous It's great that everyone spreads 'good' info, but not tagging the source of a 'Potential' solution is as bad as claiming it was yours.

Here's the source: https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-Q/Downloading-from-Sky-Q-using-a-Vodafone-Huawei-4G-router/m-p/3572566/emcs_t/S2h8ZW1haWx8ZGlnZXN0X25vdGlmaWNhdGlvbnxLS0VZTTRJNDI4QkJTQ3wtMXxPVEhFUlN8aEs#M396972

Have a nice day y'all... :lia_grinning-face:

p.s. ExpressVPN is not the only L2TP provider, it was the one that I tested with.

[Anonymous]

@Shimme I'm not taking credit for a vpn approach, if that's your insinuation, that topic has been on these forums for many months. However, I'm sure it was your post that renewed my attempt to try it though., which is why I said I read a thread but I have read hundreds of posts and tried lots of  them but the theories about VPNs I mostly ignored as NordVPN who I use doesn't provide the support needed. 

Thank you for filling in the blanks on why switching ip during advert insertion heightens the issue though as I don't remember seeing that anywhere else but it isn't an absolute answer as I get the same failure using BT fibre broadband not just 4G. I'd made the connection to adverts back in October last year, before you had posted anything. 

As I also said, I have a working solution using a power line adapter from my fibre broadband that I'll be using as I don't want to pay for 2 VPN providers, and strangely using Wi-fi from that router fails

[Simon4g]

@Anonymous some great advice here thanks :lia_slightly-smiling-face:

thinking about what you did with the powerline, is this because the IP address on the powerline preventing the 'kick-out' when the sky Q IP changes between servers for adverts etc.. 

In which case I am wondering if I make the IP address for the router static then the ISPs coming into that via WAN wont detect a change

looking at VPN too but want to see if there is a simpler option

[Anonymous]

I'm using a power line extension as the Sky box isn't close enough to the router. I've got no idea why using Ethernet works and Wi-fi doesn't from the same router though and I don't think it should. I tried it simply to cross it off my list and shockingly it made a difference. To be clear though, using the 4G router via Ethernet didn't fix anything. Neither did using different 4G suppliers or hardware. 

[Simon4g]

@Anonymous thanks forthe helpful advice.. being hardwired to the router is making no difference to the issue so some research to do.. 

@Sky - I think its a bit off of Sky to do this, the system we had worked perfect and cost a pretty packet!  if it does not work then we'll be reverting to netflix and amazon prime for our on demand services as these still work brilliantly!

[Shimme]

@Simon4g Have a look at my post as references to the IP address changing being 'theory' are incorrect. https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-Q/Downloading-from-Sky-Q-using-a-Vodafone-Huawei-4G-router/m-p/3598...

[Anonymous]

@Shimme I came here to fix my own download problem not score points or massage my own ego. Each to his own I guess. 

[Shimme]

Nor am I. My point, which you are still missing, is that rather than regurgetating info you've read, just post a link so everyone else can draw their own conlusions. I resolved my issue and posted a solution for people to try out if the symptoms matched.

I also draw on 20+ years of networking/mobile engineering.

Each to their own I guess