BT Home Hub

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The BT Home Hub
The BT Home Hub

The BT Home Hub is a wireless Internet router from BT. It is based on the IEEE 802.11g (WiFi) standard and also supports IEEE 802.11b devices. It is significant as it marks BT’s departure away from traditional telecommunications services and towards Internet and media products. It supports VoIP Internet calls and is compatible with existing DECT handsets. It works with the existing BT Fusion service and works with the BT Vision video on demand service[1]. The device connects to the Internet using a standard ADSL connection.

Contents

[edit] Features

The BT Home Hub supports:

[edit] Specifications

The BT Home Hub package includes[2]:

The BT Home Hub’s technical specifications are as follows[3]:

  • ADSL2+ Modem - 24 Mbit/s downstream, 3 Mbit/s upstream
  • WiFi - Supports the IEEE 802.11b/g standards
  • Ports - 2 Ethernet 10/100 Mbit/s, 2 USB 1.1, 2 RJ11 (broadband in and phone)
  • Security protocols - Supports WEP and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK. The BT Home Hub comes with a default WEP security code that is different for each box, the code is printed on the back of the unit
  • Software - version 6.2.6.E (latest with automatic updating)

The BT Home Hub can only be used with the BT Total Broadband package without modification; the unit can be unlocked (see below). The BT Home Hub configuration software is compatible with both Mac and PC systems, and requires no install if an Ethernet connection to the computer is used.

[edit] BT Hub Phone

The BT Hub Phone is an optional handset that can be bought to work in conjunction with the Home Hub. It supports high-definition sound and calls using the BT Broadband Talk service, and sits in a dock in the front of the Home Hub. A normal telephone which supports DECT can be used in place of the Hub Phone.

[edit] GPL Violation

The device runs software which uses the Linux kernel, released under the GNU GPL. As a token gesture and, in an attempt to claim adherence to the GPL, BT have released some source code for the device which can be downloaded here. However in violation of the GPL, BT have not published the scripts necessary to compile and install custom firmware to the device. [4]

[edit] Undocumented features

The Home Hub includes a USB-A port which has no documented function. It has been found that some devices (such as printers and USB mass storage devices) connected to this port can be shared on that Hub's network.

[edit] Unlocking

In its standard state, the BT Home Hub comes locked to BT in both the ISP it can connect to AND the VoIP service it can use. However, by changing user permissions, users can unlock the unit to be used on other networks. e.g. you don't have to use the built in modem, you can make the VoIP part of it connect to another router. In accordance with the conditions of the GPL, the code is available here. A step-by-step guide to re-flashing the Home Hub, in order to unlock it, has been made made available on RapidShare (check link).

[edit] Fixing a broken Home Hub

The BT Home Hub can stop working if it is switched off whilst installing an automatic software update and sometimes if installation of an update fails. BT provide a web page with full instructions on how to reinstall the firmware here.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ BT Home Hub Page - Use with BT Fusion and Vision services. Retrieved 14 February 2007.
  2. ^ BT Home Hub Package - Items included with the BT Home Hub. Retrieved 14 February 2007.
  3. ^ BT Home Hub Package - BT Home Hub Specifications. Retrieved 14 February 2007.
  4. ^ GPL Source FAQ - Definitions and explanations of GPL requirements with regard to source release

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BT_Home_Hub"
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