Failed remote network problem

[Chodley]

yeah that slight changed address is just load balancing / round robin.

you get similar to me.

[Craigv9]

Well, hard to say, but some apparent progress...

In PC program called

'Simple DNS Plus'...

Tools, options, forwarding...

I set all Domain names to be forwarded to 1.1.1.1

(Mark would be proud)

Then

Tools, plug ins, add...

(Suspect Network experts will be cringing now)

I added a host file, which I noted  was created at

C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts

And in it I put the lines

a2047.sky.akamai.net 87.248.204.0

And 

ondemand.cdnselector.skycdp.com

87.248.204.0

And kinda made this bit up, but selected 'process DNS requests' 'only when the following is true'...

That the requested domain is on-demand.cdnselector.skycdp.com

I've since downloaded over 100 hours of TV without issue

We await feedback on my fix and whether I've stumbled upon the answer of am just having a good server afternoon!

Either way, don't think I'm too far off!

[Chodley]

Yeah that text file is a standard windows system file for hosts that it knows about so not surprised SimpleDNS defaults to it for that purpose.

and it really is as simple as

hostname IPaddress

although DNS is more complex than that and has different record types but out of scope for this discussion.

[Craigv9]

But is your feedback that I've done it right?

What's interesting is clearly the mini PC IS involved...the activity log proves that

Occasionally the Sky GUI is showing no internet, but instead of the download failing, it carries on after the Internet pops back

Seems I may have cracked the cases which should help me set up the router when it arrives.

I'm not ready to mark this as the solution as I might just be having a coincidental good run, but....

[Chodley]

Yeah it seems right, not knowing that software.

You should try adding that other IP address that was almost the same onto the end of that line in the hosts file to set up your own little round robin 😉

[Craigv9]

Now we are deep into the theory...My area of interest is A.I

I laid out the problem and asked it for it's take. It took the opposite approach to the one we have been playing with.... suggesting I establish exactly which IP addresses cause the issues (we know them) and then block them. It gives explicit instructions on how to do so in Windows Firewall Defender.

When I queried it, asking would blocking those result in a download from the one working address, it simply replied...'try it and see'!

Bloody robots

[Craigv9]

Btw,

Does anyone know what happened to Mark? His profile seems to have disappeared? Think he may be coming up as 'anonymous'

I hope he hasn't disappeared the day before my router arrives!

[Laing1]

---

@Craigv9 wrote:

Btw,

Does anyone know what happened to Mark? His profile seems to have disappeared? Think he may be coming up as 'anonymous'

I hope he hasn't disappeared the day before my router arrives!

---

@Craigv9 when a profile comes up with anonymous it usually means the person has deleted their account

[Craigv9]

Ok, thanks. He's still here, though which is the good news!

[Chodley]

---

@Craigv9 wrote:

Now we are deep into the theory...My area of interest is A.I

I laid out the problem and asked it for it's take. It took the opposite approach to the one we have been playing with.... suggesting I establish exactly which IP addresses cause the issues (we know them) and then block them. It gives explicit instructions on how to do so in Windows Firewall Defender.

When I queried it, asking would blocking those result in a download from the one working address, it simply replied...'try it and see'!

Bloody robots

---

This is why we will always need humans.

[Craigv9]

What I have done, it seems and I'm no expert, is somehow forced a retry, retry, retry, if a download fails or goes to a hooky server...

The Sky GUI goes loco with 'you're not connected to the Internet' messages and states download failed, but doesn't give the 'failed: remote network error' and eventually succeeds

Providing it's actually the fix and not random luck, this appears to be a perfectly serviceable solution for anyone with a PC on their network, and his software, albeit it's a paid download

I may well try the alternative firewall solution tomorrow which doesn't need the program, to try and remove the PC program from the equation. And when the router arrives try that too...that will give 3 similar but varied options for people moving forward...

I've never been known for half measures

Meanwhile Sky and Kloud9 are co-opersting towards a solution...doubtless reinventing the wheel and comparing the size of their floppy disks and hard drives...

[Chodley]

Try, in the SimpleDNS config, changing the address you're forwarding all the other DNS requests to, from 1.1.1.1 to the address of your router. See if that changes the behaviour.

[Craigv9]

Interesting...will do...I'll report back...I'm hoping the other router arrives tomorrow...

[Craigv9]

By turning my PC off, closing down Simple DNS Pro, changing the DNS settings within Simple DNS Pro and the Sky Box alternitively, and by monitoring the Simple DNS pro activity log I have confirmed BEYOND DOUBT that this is a solution (which we knew anyway, thanks to Mark and Chodley)

If you have a PC on the same network as your Sky Box, then it really couldn't be much simpler

So, using a PC with Simple DNS Pro will be the first solution

I appreciate that not everyone has a PC on their network, so we need a Plan B

That arrives in the form of buying an old router with the type of user accessible settings that you don't get on routers these days and messing with those settings...(I bought such a router and the necessary lead for under a tenner...)

By the close of play today I hope to post both solutions in user friendly terms to assist everyone moving forward...though I may need the help of Chodley and Mark to get there!

It's been a long road! The next battle? SKY Q has a 'delete all' settings for recorded programs, but does not have a 'delete all forever' option...what's THAT all about?

[Craigv9]

My router has arrived!