FEEDBACK - Rogers Rocket Wi-Fi Modem Firmware Trial

[RogersMargaret]

Hello Community,

We are currently offering our users an exclusive opportunity to participate in an upcoming trial of the new firmware for our Rocket Wi-Fi Modem (CGN3ACR, CGN3AMR and CGN3ACSMR) and Rocket Gigabit Wi-Fi Modem (CGN3552 and CODA-4582). For details of this program, please see this thread.

This thread will be used for feedback regarding the firmware.  We've invited @RogersSergio, @RogersSyd & @RogersBob from our Networking team to participate in this thread.  Your feedback is very valuable and will be used to enhance the firmware before it is released publicly.

Thank you for your continued feedback and support.

[RyzenFX]

@RogersSergio

Initial impressions, but so far the .34T6 firmware is really stable. I did some WiFi throughput testing on my GS7 and I was able to get 84Mbps down and 11Mbps up using the 2.4 band, on the 100u package. On 5G, I was able to get 131Mbps down, 11Mbps up. Both speedtest results is what I should be getting which is a good thing.

I think this release improved the throughput on the 2.4 band as I averaged a slightly lower 50Mbps down on the previous firmware revision.

[User1445713]

I'm on 2.0.10.34T6 since yesterday afternoon.

DHCP reservation table issue is still here. I have 10 entries in the reservation table. 9 appears to be working OK. The last one is random with "DHCP-Reserved" label in Connected Devices list. Is limit of the table?

[User1445713]

I switched the order of devices in DHCP table. I moved the last device up and it's working now. The 10th and probably above place in the DHCP reservation table gets random number and listed as "DHCP-Reserved" in Connected Devices.

Hard reboot (5min) is very annoying every time I save changes to DHCP table.

[Selva1]

Hitron CGN Series Firmware version

Hi, I see on you feedback page that the firmware is now at 4.5.8.38T5 (April 13, 2018). But my modem is still at 4.5.8.33. Why is it the software upgrade not pushed?

[DavidPC]

It's pushed in waves, so if there is an major issue with the firmware not all participants are effected. 

[Shafeen]

@Datalink

Here is my status from the WAN page:

Downstream Overview

Port ID	Frequency (MHz)	Modulation	Signal strength (dBmV)	Channel ID	Signal noise ratio (dB)
1	591000000	256QAM	7.900	7	38.605
2	855000000	256QAM	7.000	3	38.605
3	861000000	256QAM	7.000	4	38.983
4	579000000	256QAM	7.500	5	38.605
5	585000000	256QAM	7.600	6	38.983
6	849000000	256QAM	6.800	2	38.605
7	597000000	256QAM	8.100	8	38.983
8	603000000	256QAM	8.100	9	40.366
9	609000000	256QAM	7.600	10	38.983
10	615000000	256QAM	7.900	11	38.983
11	621000000	256QAM	8.200	12	38.983
12	633000000	256QAM	8.100	13	40.366
13	639000000	256QAM	8.000	14	38.605
14	645000000	256QAM	8.200	15	40.366
15	651000000	256QAM	8.100	16	38.983
16	657000000	256QAM	8.000	17	40.366
17	663000000	256QAM	8.500	18	40.366
18	669000000	256QAM	8.300	19	39.855
19	675000000	256QAM	8.300	20	40.366
20	681000000	256QAM	8.200	21	40.366
21	687000000	256QAM	8.500	22	40.366
22	693000000	256QAM	8.100	23	40.366
23	699000000	256QAM	8.400	24	38.983
24	705000000	256QAM	8.100	25	40.366
25	711000000	256QAM	8.200	26	40.366
26	717000000	256QAM	8.400	27	38.983
27	723000000	256QAM	8.300	28	38.983
28	825000000	256QAM	7.000	29	38.983
29	831000000	256QAM	6.800	30	38.983
30	837000000	256QAM	7.400	31	38.605
31	843000000	256QAM	7.100	32	38.983
32	303000000	256QAM	4.500	1	38.605

OFDM Downstream Overview

Receiver	FFT type	Subcarr 0 Frequency(MHz)	PLC locked	NCP locked	MDC1 locked	PLC power(dBmv)
0	4K	275600000	YES	YES	YES	3.900002
1	NA	NA	NO	NO	NO	NA

Upstream Overview

Port ID	Frequency (MHz)	Modulation	Signal strength (dBmV)	Channel ID	Bandwidth
1	23700000	ATDMA - 64QAM	39.250	2	6400000
2	38596000	ATDMA - 64QAM	42.500	3	3200000
3	30596000	ATDMA - 64QAM	39.250	1	6400000

OFDM/OFDMA Overview

Channel Index	State	lin Digital Att	Digital Att	BW (sc's*fft)	Report Power	Report Power1_6	FFT Size
0	DISABLED	0.5000	0.0000	0.0000	-inf	-1.0000	4K
1	DISABLED	0.5000	0.0000	0.0000	-inf	-1.0000	4K

[RogersSergio]

@blues_clues, @zardoz99, @WestPoint, @Datalink

All,

This issues was identified and resolved in the 2.0.10.34T6 firmware that was rolled out on Friday. I have updated the release notes in the top thread to reflect the included update. I missed adding this entry when I was updated the post.

The issue was identified during testing of the 34T5 code and was tied to the updates made to fix the wifi issues we were experiencing in the 33T3 which we fixed in the 33T11... the fix was carried over.

Please let me know if there are any continuing issues with USB/SMB support; if you have not received the 34T6 code please send me a private message with your mac and i will make sure you are upgraded.

Cheers,

RogersSergio

[hoopdogg]

@RogersSergiothanks for the update.  Question.  I have a WD USB 3 drive that is still not recognized by the Coda.  Has USB 3.0 been fixed or are there still outstanding issues with it?

thanks

[RogersSergio]

@hoopdogg

Sorry but that fix is not in this release, we have an upcoming test build that should add the support for USB3.0 devices falling into USB2.0 mode. I am confirming if we have a fix for the full USB3.0 support.

Regards,

RogersSergio

[WestPoint]

@RogersSergio Thanks, my USB SMB is working now.

Still having the DHCP issue, another user above mentioned in his testing the first 9 DHCP Reservations are working but after 10 they go random but still say reserved in the table of connected devices.
Mine are just random, my first few arnt working and the middle ones are and the rest arnt.

Also, just curious, are the CODA modems capable of 802.11ac or 802.11ad for the wifi? if not, is rogers at all considering chaing modems again for the gigabit wifi boost? Netgear Nighthawk has a VERY impressive gaming router with 7 gigabit ethernet ports, quadcore processor, and a bunch of amazing things for a router to have, including wifi beam forming and 802.11ac/ad capability.

Im considering going out and making a purchase of one of these devices as they guaruntee +20 device DHCP support and 2 USB 3.0 ports and everything else; BUT if Rogers is AT ALL considering a move to this tech, or even a modem with battery back up, I would hold off on this, but if there is no plan to change from the CODA, and there is no 802.11ac/ad support and the DHCP isnt capable of many devices, than Ill cut my losses, and throw the CODA into Bridge mode and buy a Nighthawk and just use its massive capabilites to run everything. 

The reason I really would rather not is because I KNOW that I will still never get full speed thru this method, that the delay between the CODA and the Netgear will still be there and noticeable and just another reason to get snarky answers from people that my hardware is causing the slow network not the CODA or somthing else like the lines or the local S-Hub.

[WestPoint]

@RogersSergio @hoopdogg

My USB HDD is also USB 3.0, 4TB, and its working fine. I know its a 2.0 port, and thats why I cant stream videos or music from it without skipping and buffering constantly, but its still good for data back up and general storage. So not sure that USB 3.0 drives arnt working, it may be your HDD format ??

Im now using my 4TB Ethernet HDD for streaming instead, just takes time to move my CD/DVD RIPs from one to the other when they are both almost full with a multitude of files and folders..

[WestPoint]

@RogersSergio I cant do this during the week, with running my business and needing my network up for off site employees, but this coming weekend, I will do a complete shut down of all my devices and switches and hubs, and check all my DHCP reservations, and then do a devices by device boot up, letting the CODA fully boot with a new WIFI SSID so no devices can auto connect, and then I will begin connecting and turning on my network devices one at a time, and then connect my WIF ones.

After I do that, I should have a pretty good Idea if the DHCP is fully working or paritally working and what ranges are not getting their proper IPs.

But I do have one other question, is there a theoretical MAX number of devies the CODA can handel? Like 100 or somthing? Should it not be able to handel as many as possible, atleast the IP range 192.168.0.2 - 192.168.0. 254, so 252 addresses? with a subnet of 255.255.255.0, if the devices cant handle that, is it not capable of expansion than, opening up the subnet and allowing more devices?

ALSO, do the IPv6 adresses come out of the subnet availability? like does each device get an IPv4 address & IPv6 and that counts as 2 subnet addresses? so 50 devices is really 100 in the subnet? or am I just talking nonsense now lol?

[blues_clues]

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@WestPointwrote:

@RogersSergio I cant do this during the week, with running my business and needing my network up for off site employees, but this coming weekend, I will do a complete shut down of all my devices and switches and hubs, and check all my DHCP reservations, and then do a devices by device boot up, letting the CODA fully boot with a new WIFI SSID so no devices can auto connect, and then I will begin connecting and turning on my network devices one at a time, and then connect my WIF ones.

After I do that, I should have a pretty good Idea if the DHCP is fully working or paritally working and what ranges are not getting their proper IPs.

But I do have one other question, is there a theoretical MAX number of devies the CODA can handel? Like 100 or somthing? Should it not be able to handel as many as possible, atleast the IP range 192.168.0.2 - 192.168.0. 254, so 252 addresses? with a subnet of 255.255.255.0, if the devices cant handle that, is it not capable of expansion than, opening up the subnet and allowing more devices?

ALSO, do the IPv6 adresses come out of the subnet availability? like does each device get an IPv4 address & IPv6 and that counts as 2 subnet addresses? so 50 devices is really 100 in the subnet? or am I just talking nonsense now lol?

---

Why not just run another DHCP server out of the range of the CODA ones and use that server for DHCP reservations?  Seems kinda drastic to abandon the CODA.  Let's hear from Hitron if there is, indeed,  a limit for DHCP reservations.

[RogersSergio]

@WestPoint, @blues_clues

I have asked the question of Hitron but based on my understanding their is no concern with supporting at least the 252 addresses... depending on how they are connected there may be some performance challenges (don't want that many wifi devices connected).

The second part of your ask... no IPv6 and IPv4 are separate so you are not halving your subnet availability.

IPv4 leverages the IP pool defined within the ui while the IPv6 address is handed out from one of the IPv6 address Rogers hands out to the gateway.

Cheers,

RogersSergio

[RogersSergio]

@User1445713

I am having the DHCP table performance tested but as for having to reboot in order to apply changes... that is a known bug that is on our list. Unfortunately it has not made it to the top to be fixed yet but i understand how annoying this is and will do my best to get it fixed.

Cheers,
RogersSergio

[RogersSergio]

@WestPoint

I am having the DHCP reservation table looked at again.

As for the Wifi capability... they support 802.11ac, pretty sure there is a hardware requirement to support 802.11ad but i will see if i can find out.

That said... I know I will likely get some flack with this but here we go... 

Rogers always tries to push for the best devices available from an internet provider but we will never be able to keep pace with the routers available in retail.

Retail routers go for hundreds of dollars (without a modem... that is sometimes forgotten, our unit has a ~$100 modem built in) and change every year; they are sold and expectation of support is a little different than it is for provider equipment.

We are also looking from the perspective of a device to meet the needs of the majority of our customers (and we try to sneak in a bit more) so we tend to look to adopt the most up to date proven technology (within reason... there is always a budget component that needs to be taken into consideration :))

For your particular situation it looks like you have specific needs you are looking to meet and I am not sure I would be able to commit to delivering a device that meets these needs in what you would likely consider a reasonable amount of time.

Don't get me wrong... what I want is to get feedback from customers like yourself that are technical and push the limits of our devices... that said I also understand that sometimes meeting those needs may be slightly beyond our capabilities in the short term.

RogersSergio

[WestPoint]

@RogersSergio 

Thanks for all the info..... As for the 802.11ac, if the CODA does support it, any idea when it may be released? 
Im assuming after the other kinks are worked out, but wondering if the plan is detailed enough yet to know if it will be activated before or after docsis 3.1 on the upstream is opened up. Also, why would it matter about wifi device count? is the DHCP limited on the WIFI device side and just not on the Ethernet side?

As for switching routers, I may still consider another router just to handle everything more my speed and consistancy, but if Hitron is sure it can handle the 252 main addresses without fail, than Ill keep trying to push the CODA to its limits for your testing. When Im frustrated, its nice too know my efforts arent for nothing and that they arn't ignored.

When it comes to my network, unfortunately, I have a kind of extreme setup going on, and its about to get worse this year as I finsih my renovations and install even more than what I already have. To give you a better idea, and maybe this info will help out much more, below is a faily acurate list of my current internet requiring items, not complete, its off the top of my head and without running around to get a fully counting of everything the is FORSURE online, but it is a representaion of the complication of my network setup.

Currently, on Wifi;

Hue Light Bulbs - approx. 34
Wall Switches - 6
Phones - 5
Laptops - 4
Thermostats - 4
Tablets - 2
Voice Controlers - 3
Game Consoles - 2
Firestick/Chrome Cast - 4

Wired Connections 

Desktop Computers - 3
Smart TVs - 2
Printers - 3
Smart Hubs - 5
Consoles - 2
HDDs - 2
Security Cameras - 12

Now the Cameras at the end there, are not all running just yet, but they will be once the weather in TO clears up some, this freezing rain is putting me back 2 weeks now... BUT they are Network Cameras, using POE, and they are 4K UHD Color Nightvision Lorex Cameras, and they will require a stable network with static IPs that I would prefer to set within the DHCP should I choose to change the IP range at any time to add or change other devices, and I would rather not connect to each camera and have to set it manually to change them.

SO YA......

Like I said, I have an extensive setup going on, I've decide to do my entire property, almost, in color chaning hue bulbs, and changing every light switch to voice controled for on and off as well as the color, my furnace, basement fireplace, and two heated bathroom floors have wifi thermostats, and the list goes on....

My best guess so far, is in a previous post, that possibly the CODA is dropping "sleeping" clients and then not assigning them correctly again afterwords or giving out the reserved IP to another device instead, which I just flat out cannot explain.

Anyways, Ill keep posting anything relevant I come up with this week and then Ill do my network shut down and restart of everything, which basically means I turn off my house main breaker, run around and unplug everything, and then turn on the power with nothing but the CODA and my laptop running, delete the current reservations table, reboot the CODA, recreate the reservations table, reboot the CODA again, and then begin pluggin in my devices power again and reconnecting WIFI devices... basically a few hour routine lol....

[DavidPC]

---

@WestPointwrote:

@RogersSergio 

Thanks for all the info..... As for the 802.11ac, if the CODA does support it, any idea when it may be released? 

---

The CODA already has released support for 802.11ac on the 5G band.

[blues_clues]

---

@DavidPCwrote:

---

@WestPointwrote:

@RogersSergio 

Thanks for all the info..... As for the 802.11ac, if the CODA does support it, any idea when it may be released? 

---

The CODA already has released support for 802.11ac on the 5G band.

---

I think he meant 802.11ad but we should all be happy with Wave 2 802.11ac as 802.11ad will have limited applications and is a while away from a consumer based offering at Roger's scale.

[WestPoint]

@DavidPC @blues_clues No, I meant 802.11ac, but I didnt realize until after I posted it that it was broadcasting on 5Ghz already... Thats great although I havnt really noticed any increase in my wifi streaming speed on 5G, if anything its just abit better but the distance covered os actually worse than when I first got the CODA.

Anywho, yes I realize 8/02.11ad is not very commoon right now and most devices still wont even support it, I was just curious if Rogers had any plans to upgrade a-head of the times and have the capabilities available when/if people want them, but its not a big issue in any way.

@RogersSergio I have taken a look at my DHCP abit, and noticed that the DHCP seems to have a real issue when the CODA reboots, mostly due to power flicker the last few days in Toronto, but when the CODA reboots BUT none of the connected devices reboot, so my desktops and hubs and ethernet switches all stay running, the CODA DHCP just doesnt seem to find everything afterwords.

Last night for example, after a power flicker I lost my WIFI and checked my devices, but my computers and switches hadnt turned off, just the CODA reset, and after it boot back up, my network deviceds connected directly to the CODA came back up without issue, but the devices connected thru my switches, including my additional WIFI router at the other end of my property, setup as a slave and not running a DHCP, just using it as a switch and additional WIFI with its own separate SSID so there is no arguments between networks, anyway, the devices connected there, and the WIFI connection from that router was lost. Even after an hour after the CODA reboot, alkl devices had no internet, no IPs, nothing, but the power was on and nothing changed except the CODA reboot.

I have yet to fully reboot this other router as its in a hard position to get too at the moment, but after I do so, I expect everything to come back fine, and Ill check the DHCP to see if my devices on that end of the network are recieving the correct IPs as well as the devices connected thru my DLink 24-port gigabit switch and those directly to the CODA. Im just not sure when Ill be able to reset it this week. Hopfully Ill have some more detailed diagnostics for you this week.

[blues_clues]

---

@WestPointwrote:

@RogersSergio I have taken a look at my DHCP abit, and noticed that the DHCP seems to have a real issue when the CODA reboots, mostly due to power flicker the last few days in Toronto, but when the CODA reboots BUT none of the connected devices reboot, so my desktops and hubs and ethernet switches all stay running, the CODA DHCP just doesnt seem to find everything afterwords.

Last night for example, after a power flicker I lost my WIFI and checked my devices, but my computers and switches hadnt turned off, just the CODA reset, and after it boot back up, my network deviceds connected directly to the CODA came back up without issue, but the devices connected thru my switches, including my additional WIFI router at the other end of my property, setup as a slave and not running a DHCP, just using it as a switch and additional WIFI with its own separate SSID so there is no arguments between networks, anyway, the devices connected there, and the WIFI connection from that router was lost. Even after an hour after the CODA reboot, alkl devices had no internet, no IPs, nothing, but the power was on and nothing changed except the CODA reboot.

I have yet to fully reboot this other router as its in a hard position to get too at the moment, but after I do so, I expect everything to come back fine, and Ill check the DHCP to see if my devices on that end of the network are recieving the correct IPs as well as the devices connected thru my DLink 24-port gigabit switch and those directly to the CODA. Im just not sure when Ill be able to reset it this week. Hopfully Ill have some more detailed diagnostics for you this week.

---

Your devices rebooting, if I am understanding you correctly, has nothing to do with the CODA reboot.  The DHCP service maintains a table based on all the devices that initiated a DHCP request.  Your devices rebooting and losing link status is totally independent.  All the devices connected to your switch will not re-issue a DHCP request unless they lose link status or the lease time reaches half of the full lease.  I would suggest you reboot your switch and for long term, reduce your DHCP lease to 1 or 2 hours.  DHCP traffic is very small and won't impact your network performance.