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Alex
Site Admin
Joined: 19 Sep 2006
Posts: 3074
Location: Dallas, TX
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 Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:21 am Post subject: MBR1000 1.5 firmware adds support for 16 more 3G devices |
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CradlePoint has released Firmware Version 1.5 for their MBR1000 router providing official support for sixteen more 3G data modems and handsets.
Cradlepoint MBR1000 Firmware 1.5 enables official support for these popular devices:- Alltel's EC168 USB modem
- AT&T's Quicksilver and MC930D USB modems and Huawei E870 expresscard
- Cricket's Calcomp A600 USB modem
- Sprint's 598U , U760 and U300 USB modems (3G support only at this time)
- Rogers ZTE MF636 USB modem
- Verizon's BlackBerry Storm phone and USB760 USB modem
In addition to support for the new devices, firmware 1.5 implements the following:
- Load Balancing now includes the Ethernet WAN port
- Increased Max user limit from 32 to 64
- OpenDNS now has it own section in the user interface.
- Modified the modem reset architecture.
For a complete list of devices supported as well as a full list of features added, check out the Full Firmware 1.5 Release Notes
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marmista
EVDO Newbie
Joined: 07 Feb 2009
Posts: 3
Location: Kane county, IL
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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I tried upgrading my MBR1000 to 1.5 (ATT, 881U modem) hoping it would fix my occasional disconnect problems. Instead, I could not connect at all with 1.5. Tried for a half hour, rebooted the computer and router, left it trying for 4 hours. Couldn't establish connection. Plugged the modem directly into the computer, connection was fine. Put it back in the router, left it for 15 minutes, it couldn't establish.
Rolled back to 1.42 and connected right away.
So, a caution before you upgrade the firmware- make sure you have the earlier firmware if you have to roll back, since, if you can'd connect, you won't be able to d/l the earlier version from the Cradlepoint site.
No relevant log entries, so I can't share those, but then the log is screwed up. The router insists the time is Sat Feb 07 23:18:58 2009, it has only moved up 17 seconds since the entry from when I installed the router (and only about 20 log entries in those two months). |
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billarf
EVDO Heavy User
Joined: 21 May 2006
Posts: 128
Location: NY and Florida
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| Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 6:06 am Post subject: |
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I did the upload of firmware Version 1.5 for the MBR1000 router this morning.
Upload process went without any issues. Will work with this version (1.5) and will report back here if any quirks, etc. arise from the upload. I have a Verizon V740 ExpressCard. |
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orbitalcomp
EVDO User
Joined: 28 Apr 2007
Posts: 78
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:56 am Post subject: |
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My upgrade to 1.5 went smoothly, noticed the new features. I'm running a Sprint Compass 597 in one port and a Cricket UM100 in the other port in load balancing.
A few questions...there are now some bandwidth numbers that can be changed next to each modem in the load balancing section, should these need to be altered for optimum speed? By default, they are both 0:800, but does it hurt performance if the modems operate slower than that occasionally? Also, which is the best option in the new dropdown menu that lets you use the wired WAN port? I left mine at default, seems to be working fine... |
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ichiryuu
EVDO Heavy User
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 108
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| Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:25 am Post subject: |
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| marmista wrote: | I tried upgrading my MBR1000 to 1.5 (ATT, 881U modem) hoping it would fix my occasional disconnect problems. Instead, I could not connect at all with 1.5. Tried for a half hour, rebooted the computer and router, left it trying for 4 hours. Couldn't establish connection. Plugged the modem directly into the computer, connection was fine. Put it back in the router, left it for 15 minutes, it couldn't establish.
Rolled back to 1.42 and connected right away. |
I'm running 1.5 with the ATT 881U right now and it is working fine. |
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CPEmployee_RP
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 19 Aug 2008
Posts: 213
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| Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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| orbitalcomp wrote: |
A few questions...there are now some bandwidth numbers that can be changed next to each modem in the load balancing section, should these need to be altered for optimum speed? By default, they are both 0:800, but does it hurt performance if the modems operate slower than that occasionally? Also, which is the best option in the new dropdown menu that lets you use the wired WAN port? I left mine at default, seems to be working fine... |
How the new Load Balancing works
I want to start by explaining how load balancing worked in pre - 1.5 firmware, which was only over modems. Previously, when load balancing was chosen, the router load balances in a round robin format. Round robin format means that a connection was made over the first modem and the next subsequent connection went over the second modem. As additional connections were made, they would rotate between the modems. Using this format works fine if both modems run at similar speeds. However, if one modem runs quite a bit faster then the other modem, the round robin format would effectively bring the faster modem down to the speed of the slower modem. When Cradlepoint decided to include a wired WAN connection, this inherent issue with round robin type of load balancing became a bigger issue as Ethernet WAN connections typically run quite a bit faster then modems. Hence, the new way that the router load balances.
In the load balancing screen you see two entries for each connection under the speed. This is displayed by default in the following manner
0:1200 - Ethernet WAN
0:800 - Modem WAN connection
The number before the : is a number that can be controlled by the user.
The number after the : is a default number calculated by Cradlepoint
The new method uses available bandwidth to determine which WAN to send a connection over. For the sake of this explanation, we will start as if no connections are being made and the default settings are used.
When the first connection is requested, router looks at the default numbers. The router sees that on the Ethernet the connection has an available 1200 kbps and on the modem the connection has 800 kbps available. So this first connection will be sent over the Ethernet WAN. If this first connection uses lets say 200 kbps now the connection has 1000 kbps available on the Ethernet. As the next connection is requested, the router once again will look at what is available. Ethernet has 1000 kbps and the modem still has 800 as no connection has been made using the Modem. Once again more available bandwidth is on the Ethernet so this second connection is also made over Ethernet connection. Lets say it uses 300 kbps which in effect now makes the available kbps on the Ethernet 700 kbps. As the 3rd connection comes in again the router looks at what is available and sees that the modem has more available bandwidth so the router sends this connection over the modem. And so forth with each next connection, of course at any time if one of the connections closes the router take that into account which then provides more bandwidth to that WAN connation.
With that in mind the 1200 and 800 are just a starting point and not a maximum available bandwidth. The router continually monitors each connection individually and adjust these numbers accordingly. As you continue to make more connections and send/receive more data you will see these numbers increase. For example during testing I have seen the Ethernet exceed 3000 kbps and the modems exceed 1000 kbps. The router then takes these adjusted numbers into account when determining where the next connection should be placed. As the user stops making new connections and all existing connections are closed, you will see these numbers decrease back to the original 1200 and 800 starting point. But at no time will these numbers go below this point. So as the user starts to make new connections again we start from the 1200 and 800 default point.
So with that explained we can move on to the user entering a number to replace the default 0 in the UI. If a user enters 2500 for Ethernet and 1000 for the Modem. These numbers now become our starting point on determining where the first connection and subsequent connections should be placed. Even with these entered numbers you will still see the second number increase as you place more bandwidth on the connections. But once again as the user stops making new connections and existing connections are closed, this second number will drop back down to the user entered values of 2500 and 1000.
Based on all the above information, keep in mind that if the user enters a value larger than the connection can handle, the router will continue to place connections on that WAN connection even though it can not handle that much bandwidth. For example let’s say 1200 is set on the Ethernet cable and a user sets the value for the Modem to 2500. So as the first connection is requested the router will place it on the modem because the starting point is higher on the Modem then the Ethernet. The router continues to place connections on the modem until the available bandwidth becomes lower then 1200. This means that the connections will eventually start getting backed up in a sense, because the modem can not handle this much bandwidth.
This is kind of a high overview of how load balancing now works as the continuous calculations going on behind the scenes are quite complex. But I hope this better explains and provides some insight into how load balancing functions. |
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davepett
EVDO Newbie
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Ontario
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| Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:54 am Post subject: |
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| I did the upgrade to v1.5, after router reboot I could not access the WAN. Cycling the power did not help. I eventually did a router RESET then rebuilt config with the v1.5 firmware. |
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expert007
EVDO Heavy User
Joined: 06 Nov 2006
Posts: 124
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| Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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After testing this latest firmware (1.5), does anyone have thoughts or comments on the modem reset capabilities?
I've been reading alot about the MBR 1000 disconnects (going to order one now anyway), and since I've been having the same issues with a KR2, I'd better be well prepared.
Thanks all! |
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orbitalcomp
EVDO User
Joined: 28 Apr 2007
Posts: 78
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:37 am Post subject: |
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| CPEmployee_RP wrote: |
How the new Load Balancing works
I want to start by explaining how load balancing worked in pre - 1.5 firmware, which was only over modems. Previously, when load balancing was chosen, the router load balances in a round robin format. Round robin format means that a connection was made over the first modem and the next subsequent connection went over the second modem. As additional connections were made, they would rotate between the modems. Using this format works fine if both modems run at similar speeds. However, if one modem runs quite a bit faster then the other modem, the round robin format would effectively bring the faster modem down to the speed of the slower modem. When Cradlepoint decided to include a wired WAN connection, this inherent issue with round robin type of load balancing became a bigger issue as Ethernet WAN connections typically run quite a bit faster then modems. Hence, the new way that the router load balances.
[...]
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Thanks for that very detailed info on how the balancing works, RP. I didn't realize that those numbers will eventually be automatically adjusted the more I use the modems, I thought I would have to adjust them myself.
The Cricket modem is usually running at about 50%-60% the speed of the Sprint modem, so I just use it to give me a little extra speed in the MBR1000 at home when I am not using it in my PHS300 on the go. That way I don't have to always swap my Sprint modem in and out all the time. Sometimes, I will use my Treo 800w in place of the Cricket.
Very versatile router, great product! |
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CPEmployee_RP
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 19 Aug 2008
Posts: 213
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:26 am Post subject: |
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orbitalcomp,
Glad my description of how Load balancing works was helpful. Feel free to post any other questions that you may have. |
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Paul_PDX
EVDO Newbie
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 5
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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Will the load balancing work with a 3G USB modem and a 4G USB modem at the same time?
If so will it automatically know to ignore the 4G modem in a balancing mode + mobile set up if it can only reach 3G towers? |
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CPEmployee_RP
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 19 Aug 2008
Posts: 213
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| Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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Yes. It will load balance between a 3G and 4G modem. For example a U300 and a U727
It will not load balance over over two 4G modems at this time because both of the 4G modems are on the same subnet.
I am not sure I fully understand the second question.. Are you saying that if the 4G modem does not have a connection will you still be able to get to the internet through the 3G modem as the only modem connected? If that is what you are asking then yes you will still get to the internet just fine through the 3G modem. And once the 4G modem makes a connection it will automaticly be added to the load balance list. |
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Paul_PDX
EVDO Newbie
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 5
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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For the second question I was thinking of using a Clear (4G only) modem along with a Sprint/Novatel U720 off of an MBR1000 installed in my car.
Where I live and frequently travel I only can get 3G. Where I work I get both.
It would actually be best for me to have the 3G off when 4G was available (since Clear is truly unlimited and Sprint 3G has a 5GB cap per month but load balancing is the next best thing since when the 4G is available I would end up using 3 to 4 times as much bandwidth out of the Clear pipe as I would from the slower Sprint one. |
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CPEmployee_RP
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 19 Aug 2008
Posts: 213
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| Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 8:41 am Post subject: |
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Ahh... I understand now..
The MBR does not have the ability to failback to another modem, just failback to a WAN Ethernet connection. Also in your environment you most likely will never be out of 3G service so the modem will never failover to the 4G, so using just failover is not an option as well.
Short of just pulling the 3G modem when in 4G coverage, I think Load Balancing is the way to go.
Because of the changes we have made to load balacning if you set the 0 number next to the 4G connection to a fairly high number (See the second to last paragraph in my fisrt post describing LB). Say 4000 or higher depending on the download speeds you get. Most if not all of your traffic will be sent out over this connection when availalble and in a sense accomplish what you are looking for. In fact this plays nicely with what you want to do because the 4G connection should be significantly faster then 3G. |
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