Huawei B970/B970b HSPA Router

Thanks Morkhan. I got the e960 manual and will compare the 2 and see what is the best. I hate buying duds so I'm a gonna be googling these 2 for reviews.
 
Weighting

morkhans said:
Everything works for me on the B970.
Got unrestricted up and running with a custom profile.
I assume your fail-over will be a manual process?
Click to expand...

No

Studying for Cisco certs.

Was wanting to experiment with automatic fail-over , weighted routing and time based ACL's

Leave the E960 on -- it only ticks over when passing data -- so hopefully no BIG bills.

Have a look at one of the main page news articles IS (and others) doing something similar but with an all in one device.

Cisco do provide a 3G WIC -- but probably costs triple the E960.

( they also have a WiFi "WIC" as well I think -- a One-Stop switching and routing shop -- at a PRICE )


MW
 
From what I can determine, B970 launched in Feb 2008 has HSUPA, while E960 is only HSDPA & launched in June 2007. According to huawei.com both can function as wireless gateways.
 
Cheeeeepppp

Peer said:
From what I can determine, B970 launched in Feb 2008 has HSUPA, while E960 is only HSDPA & launched in June 2007. According to huawei.com both can function as wireless gateways.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the update -- probably why it is going cheep cheep :D


MW
 
Anyone know where to get the latest B970 firmware?

Looking for version: 256.11.10.06.105.SP04

It's supposed to fix the problem of the router resetting to factory defaults every now and then.
 
nuyork said:
Anyone know where to get the latest B970 firmware?

Looking for version: 256.11.10.06.105.SP04

It's supposed to fix the problem of the router resetting to factory defaults every now and then.
Click to expand...

Where did you see that?
 
[OUPA]MrNutz;3144684 said:
slap a linksys wrt54gl with ddwrt onto the lan port with a bit of mW adjustment +- R650
Click to expand...

This is the cheapest solution actually.
= Get your b970, get it online.
= Buy a Linksys WRT54GS, its very cheap. Flash it with DD-WRT
= Use the WDS feature in DD-WRT to turn it into a "repeater" or "range expander".

The setup is incredibly easy. Took me about 15 minutes.
eb
 
byaru1 said:
This is the cheapest solution actually.
= Get your b970, get it online.
= Buy a Linksys WRT54GS, its very cheap. Flash it with DD-WRT
= Use the WDS feature in DD-WRT to turn it into a "repeater" or "range expander".

The setup is incredibly easy. Took me about 15 minutes.
eb
Click to expand...

If it's been discussed here before, then apologies for the crosspost, but for the curious, the Huawei B970 runs linux. Telnet to its IP address, user/pass : admin

# cat /proc/cpuinfo
system type : Broadcom BCM5354 chip rev 3
processor : 0
cpu model : BCM3302 V2.9
BogoMIPS : 237.56
wait instruction : no
microsecond timers : yes
tlb_entries : 32
extra interrupt vector : no
hardware watchpoint : no
VCED exceptions : not available
VCEI exceptions : not available
unaligned_instructions : 2
dcache hits : 0
dcache misses : 0
icache hits : 0
icache misses : 0
instructions : 0

and /proc/version for the curious:

# cat /proc/version
Linux version 2.4.20 (x127667@old_server.com) (gcc version 3.2.3 with Broadcom modifications) #15 ## 9## 9 14:47:03 CST 2008

It's a broadcom chip that dd-wrt and openWRT support. Those folk may come with interesting open-source firmware for it.
 
morkhans said:
Where did you see that?
Click to expand...

A friend who works for Vodacom. He came to update my router last night. Will let you know how it goes. Although I haven't experienced factory resets for a while now.

I'm not sure why they have not put this update on the Vodacom website yet?

I suppose one can just take their B970 router into VodaWorld for the data center to update the router? It takes like 10 minutes.
 
nuyork said:
A friend who works for Vodacom. He came to update my router last night. Will let you know how it goes. Although I haven't experienced factory resets for a while now.

I'm not sure why they have not put this update on the Vodacom website yet?

I suppose one can just take their B970 router into VodaWorld for the data center to update the router? It takes like 10 minutes.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the update.

@VCD are you aware of this firmware update? When will it be on the downloads page?
 
B970 + Antenna?

I will start of by apologizing as this topic has probably already been discussed.
But here goes any way. :erm:

To begin is the Vodafone B970's SMA port for a 3G antenna or a Wi-Fi antenna? :confused:

The current location of my device gives me a poor to common (-100dBm / 95dBm) signal strength.
However, by moving the device up one story I can get a very good (-70dBm).
But I can't move the router there permanently because none of my network cables reach there.:sick:

I have logged a request with Vodacom for them to install an antenna, however I am wondering,
if Vodacom decline my request will forking out +R1000 for a high gain antenna from Poynting Direct be worth it?

PS: How long will it take Vodacom to send a technician out to at least assess whether I qualify for an antenna?

----

EDIT: about this new update where can you download it search every where can't find it?
 
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Check the first post. The SMA connector is for a 3G antenna.

Have you done some tests with the router on the top floor? If you are getting decent speed results from speed.vodacom.co.za and speedtest.net then I would say yes a high gain antenna will make a big difference if you intend to install the router downstairs. You can always weigh up the costs of an antenna vs. installing some new cable and getting a small switch ;)
 
What about setting the 3G router upstairs and setting up wireless on the desktops downstairs? Not an option?

Network cables can go up to 100 meters. I just bought a 10 meter cable for R24. They are really cheap.

I'd say get longer network cables, that would be the cheapest route.

You could wait forever for Vodacom....if you really need that antenna, then buy it yourself from Poynting.
 
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morkhans said:
Thanks for the update.

@VCD are you aware of this firmware update? When will it be on the downloads page?
Click to expand...

Firmware Upgrade 256.11.10.06.105.SP04 for the B970 Router is now available from the downloads page..:D
 
VodacomData said:
Firmware Upgrade 256.11.10.06.105.SP04 for the B970 Router is now available from the downloads page..:D
Click to expand...

Thanks I just managed to get a copy from someone else at Vodacom ;) I am however having problems with installing the firmware. Seems you need to attach to the router via USB and run an exe. Unfortunately it's not detecting the router even though I can see it in device manager. Tried Windows 7 x64 and XP, same problem.

Edit: The release notes inside the zip file are in simplified Chinese...
 
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