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Information

Service Page, showing IPv6

Proof!

The Comtrend AR-5382u is an ADSL2+ router with 4 Ethernet ports, wifi, and usb port (for 3g fallback). It also supports IPv6. As of Feb 2010 they are available as pre-order. There are still a few bug fixes which we have passed back to Comtrend and are awaiting firmware updates to resolve these issues.

Known Problems

There is no IPv6 option in PPPoA mode.

This is critical for us and other UK ISPs as PPPoA is the preferred mode. Also, some lines can only handle PPPoA.

IPv6 in PPPoE mode is forgotten when editing WAN settings

When editiong the WAN settings (WAN Service), the IPv6 enabled option will be forgotten about and disabled! Editing other pages is ok though. The work around is to remove the WAN settings and re-add them. (which will loose access if done from the WAN)

Prefix delegation via DHCPv6 only works with a /48

At the moment, lines will have to be set with a /48 and we'll route the whole block. This is important to avoid waste, but also to allow multi-site customers to manage their /48 giving different sites different /64

DHCPv6 on WAN/PPP does not request IPv6 DNS servers

These will need to be set manually in the router

Router announcement on LAN is not providing DNS servers

Manual configuration required on the computers.

Router is not renew/rebinding the DHCPv6 on the WAN on PPP restart

If changes are made, such as adding/changing IPv6 block, then a reboot is required.

We think IPv6 should be enabled by default on WAN and LAN route announce

The router seems to fall-back to only IPv4 operation if the ISP does not support IPv6, so this seems safe. IPv6 is the current version of internet protocol so it seems odd that it is disabled by default.

How to setup Comtrend:

The details below don't actually involve much IPv6! IPv6 is mostly configure automatically when the router logs in. RA and DHCPv6 will be enabled once logged in, and it's been assigned your block of IPs.

Plug in router.
Go to 192.168.1.1
- Username: root
- Password: 12345

For BT:

Advanced -> Layer2 -> ATM -> Add
- VPI/VCI : 0/38
- Path0
- EoA
- Default Mode
- Encapsulation : LLC
- Service Category : UBR Without PCR
- Strict Priority

Advanced -> WAN -> Add
- Select Layer2 interface
  - Next
- PPPoE
  - Description : BT
  - Tick Enable IPv6
  - Next
- enter username, eg x@a.1
  - enter password
  - leave service name blank
  - enable Firewall
  - Enable NAT if no public IPv4 (or preferably get public IPv4)
  - next
- Obtain DNS from WAN
  - next
- Save
Reboot router

For BE:

Advanced -> Layer2 -> ATM -> Add
- VPI/VCI : 0/101
  - Path0
  - EoA
  - Default Mode
  - Encapsulation : LLC
  - Service Category : UBR Without PCR
  - Strict Priority

Advanced -> WAN -> Add
- Select Layer2 interface
  - Next
- PPPoE
  - Description : BE
  - Tick Enable IPv6
  - Next
- enter username, eg x@a.1
  - enter password
  - leave service name blank
  - enable Firewall
  - Enable NAT if no public IPv4 (or preferably get public IPv4)
  - next
- Obtain DNS from WAN
  - next
- Save

Reboot router

Other settings

Setup LAN, Firewall, Service Access and Wireless how you would like.
Change admin password as required (Management, Passwords)

Computer setup

Simply enabling IPv6 on your computer should mean it gets an IPv6 address. You'll need to specify IPv6 DNS server address manually though:

2001:8b0::2020
2001:8b0::2021

Then pop along to ip.help.me.uk and that page will show your IPv6 address (which will start 2001:8b0:.....)

Resetting

Hold down the reset button (on the front) for 5 seconds, the LEDs will flash to show it's resetting.

Feedback

For customer who have a comtrend, we'd be interested in hearing feedback regarding:

ADSL Speeds/stability - is the ADSL chipset as good/better/worse than your old router in terms of sync speed, and stability?
WiFi - how well does the wifi throughput/coverage compare to your old router?
Other feedback, eg, ease and flexibility of the Firewall etc.