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This is the support site for Andrews & Arnold Ltd, a UK Internet provider. Information on these pages is generally for our customers but may be useful to others, enjoy!

Router - EchoLife HG612: Difference between revisions

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The only downside to the HG612 is the lack of any official supplier. There are no known sources to purchase new HG612s - it can only be purchased second-hand, with eBay being the main source.
The only downside to the HG612 is the lack of any official supplier. There are no known sources to purchase new HG612s - it can only be purchased second-hand, with eBay being the main source.


With a little patience you can pick one up in an auction for as little as £5 or if you want to "buy it now", expect to pay around £25-£30 (in February 2017).
With a little patience you can pick one up in an auction for as little as £5. They can be found refurbished online for sub £20 delivered.


Note that there have been various hardware revisions of the HG612, with revisions other than the "3B" being susceptible to overheating or other hardware faults. It is therefore recommended that you only buy a 3B.
Note that there have been various hardware revisions of the HG612, with revisions other than the "3B" being susceptible to overheating or other hardware faults. It is therefore recommended that you only buy a 3B.


This hardware revision is displayed in large letters on a sticker on the base of the modem - most ebay auctions will include a photo of this label for you to check. If the item you're looking at doesn't, then move onto another.
This hardware revision is displayed in large letters on a sticker on the base of the modem - most eBay auctions will include a photo of this label for you to check. If the item you're looking at doesn't, then move onto another.


In addition to the obvious "HG612" or "HG612 3B" search terms, cheap auctions can often be found by simply searching for the more generic "openreach modem", and then checking the photos to see the model (i.e. that it is not the ECI variety) and hardware revision - not all sellers will use the "HG612" model number in the title of their listing.
In addition to the obvious "HG612" or "HG612 3B" search terms, cheap auctions can often be found by simply searching for the more generic "openreach modem", and then checking the photos to see the model (i.e. that it is not the ECI variety) and hardware revision - not all sellers will use the "HG612" model number in the title of their listing.


As you will see in the next step, "unlocking" the HG612 is relatively trivial, so there is little value in paying the premium some ebay sellers attempt to charge for "unlocked" versions of the modem - all modems can be easily unlocked and it is always recommended to upload the latest firmware version yourself before you use it.
As you will see in the next step, "unlocking" the HG612 is relatively trivial, so there is little value in paying the premium some eBay sellers attempt to charge for "unlocked" versions of the modem - all modems can be easily unlocked and it is always recommended to upload the latest firmware version yourself before you use it.


=Update to latest unlocked firmware=
=Update to latest unlocked firmware=
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* With the HG612 powered off, connect a cable between the LAN2 port (you may need to remove the "not in use" sticker) and the ethernet port on your computer.
* With the HG612 powered off, connect a cable between the LAN2 port (you may need to remove the "not in use" sticker) and the ethernet port on your computer.
* Configure your computer's ethernet port with the IP address 192.168.1.100 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0.
* Configure your computer's ethernet port with the IP address 192.168.1.100 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0.
* Hold down the reset button on the back of the HG612 whilst inserting the power cable. Keep the reset button held for about 5-10 seconds after powering up.
* Hold down the reset button on the back of the HG612 whilst inserting the power cable. Keep the reset button held for about 5–10 seconds after powering up.
* After about 10 seconds you should be able to access the HG612's "Update Software" web page at the address http://192.168.1.1
* After about 10 seconds you should be able to access the HG612's "Update Software" web page at the address http://192.168.1.1
* Follow the on-screen instructions to upload the latest firmware.
* Follow the on-screen instructions to upload the latest firmware.


After this process has completed you should be able to log into the main web interface at the same http://192.168.1.1 address. The default username and password are "admin" and "admin".
After this process has completed you should be able to log into the main web interface at the same http://192.168.1.1 address. The default username and password are "admin" and "admin".

===Why do I need to connect a cable directly?===
The CFE bootloader does not initialise Ethernet with a MAC address, so the device thinks it has the MAC address <tt>00:00:00:00:00:00</tt>.

Packets with this source MAC address will be dropped by:
* Network switches
* Any 802.1D bridges on your computer

This will make it impossible to communicate with the modem.


=How to connect to your router=
=How to connect to your router=
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In its default state, the HG612 is configured for use with UK VDSL connections - nothing needs to be changed.
In its default state, the HG612 is configured for use with UK VDSL connections - nothing needs to be changed.

QoS is enabled in this default state, which (on a line that syncs at the maximum 19999kbit/s) will limit the upload to around 16.5Mbit/s. If you disable QoS, this will allow you to reach uploads around 18.5Mbit/s.


Note that the modem is configured with TR-069 support, which if enabled allows them to access the modem remotely. You should check that this is disabled in the "Basic -> WAN" settings page. Click on the "TR069_INTERNET" row in the table at the top of the page and ensure the "Enabled" checkbox is unticked (this should be the default with the unofficial firmware).
Note that the modem is configured with TR-069 support, which if enabled allows them to access the modem remotely. You should check that this is disabled in the "Basic -> WAN" settings page. Click on the "TR069_INTERNET" row in the table at the top of the page and ensure the "Enabled" checkbox is unticked (this should be the default with the unofficial firmware).
Retrieved from "http://support.aa.net.uk/Router_-_EchoLife_HG612"