Official Samsung Network Extender SCS−26UC4 Release Thread

[zafrir]

I got Telesales to finally agree to give me $50 off the device so I bought it for $199.99. The best deal I was able to get.

[kharris8887]

can the extender be plugged into a wireless router through one of its available ports? i dont have an available ethernet port on my cable modem.

[TekWarren]

Even though I don't have an extender yet I'm going to give some general thoughts...if I may.

Those concerned about the blinking LED...Don't be, if your unit is working for calls and what not I wouldn't worry about it. Because of the nature of this device it will ALWAYS be using some amount of data in order to instantly deliver an incoming or outgoing call. Also devices on a network will regularly "talk" or send packets out depending what services they are on. Take a look at a computer's ethernet port even if your not running anything that may be using your internet connection, your computer is still sending small bits of data as well as listening for them. Don't think of it as on/of situation, the extender is "always on" and connected to VZW's systems so that calls/data can come through. Even if you unplug your internet connection you will still see the unit continue to try sending/receiving data...that's its job/purpose.

I have a pretty decent internet connection but I plan on using my home router to give the extender priority over other traffic such as web surfing and gaming. A recent post states they have issues with other traffic on their connection. I have experienced this when talking to a friend of mine who uses VOIP and bittorrent's alot..when he has a lot of things downloading his calls sound like crap. I suggest that if you have the capability to look at your router's configuration pages and setup some priorities for the extender...you may even have some pre-configured settings for VOIP data that you can give priority to without completely shutting out your other devices. It would be interesting to see how much data the extender uses since it seems there have been no bandwidth requirements put out by VZW.

[jim9000]

can the extender be plugged into a wireless router through one of its available ports? i dont have an available ethernet port on my cable modem.

Yes. Hooking it up to your wireless (or wired) router is the preferred way unless you have multiple IP addresses and a switch to hook up between the router and the modem (which would cost more money and not be necessary in most situations)

[jim9000]

Has anyone been having problems using the phone while they are surfing the internet?

No - it works fine with DSL service here, 3.0 Mbps down / 384 Kbps up. Fastest offered in my area.

Note to anyone who wants to try to use QoS to prioritize traffic for this device: This thing uses a VPN connection (I think it is IPSEC but I haven't messed with it to be sure yet), so you are looking for the VPN packets, not VoIP (such as SIP or H.323) packets.

[elrod]

Justin, How is the Network Extender working with your Storm? I have a Storm, and I am having mixed results. Frequently looses connection to the Network Extender (4 bars down to 0 bars) when just a few feet away. Inconsistent ability to dial out, and receive incoming calls.

My first one did the same thing. It was a bad unit. It eventually got so bad that it would not reconnect after leaving and coming back in range unless I did a reboot. I got a new unit and it works perfect now. Try calling the Network Extender tech support @ 877-262-2924.

[iPAQlessnow]

My first one did the same thing. It was a bad unit. It eventually got so bad that it would not reconnect after leaving and coming back in range unless I did a reboot. I got a new unit and it works perfect now. Try calling the Network Extender tech support @ 877-262-2924.

Thanks!

I have an open ticket with support now. After troubleshooting with a rep on the phone for a hour or so, he opened a case with the next level Network Extender support team. They are supposed to be able to remotely troubleshoot the device. My thought was also that the Extender might be defective. I'll post back on what the resolution is - remote fix or new Network Extender.

[TekWarren]

No - it works fine with DSL service here, 3.0 Mbps down / 384 Kbps up. Fastest offered in my area.

Note to anyone who wants to try to use QoS to prioritize traffic for this device: This thing uses a VPN connection (I think it is IPSEC but I haven't messed with it to be sure yet), so you are looking for the VPN packets, not VoIP (such as SIP or H.323) packets.

Have you done any packet sniffing to verify this? -Don't get me wrong I'm not disagreeing just looking for more info such as how much bandwidth it may use for a call or data and such.

[DOTsucks]

well, I just got done chatting online with my dsl provider and they were able to speed up my dsl right away. I was at the 1.5 mbps speed, moved up to the 7mbps and the problem went away. I now can watch 2 live stream movies, surf the internet and talk on the network extender and no problems. My paticular provider, 1.5 was not fast enough.

Before I ran a speed test while using the extender, streaming a movie and the download speed came in at .78 mbps. after they speeded me up, now it comes in at a 4.2 mbps. I run the test not using the extended network or streaming a movie and it comes in at 6.159mbps...the video takes up a lot of bandwidth.

I did 4 speed tests on just using the network extender while on the phone (1phone), and I did speed tests not using the network extender, not doing anything on the internet..I did the average

while using the extended network average...6.10 mbps.

while not using the extended network average 6.15 mbps.

it does not seem to slow your internet down to much from just using the box..

[elrod]

well, I just got done chatting online with my dsl provider and they were able to speed up my dsl right away. I was at the 1.5 mbps speed, moved up to the 7mbps and the problem went away. I now can watch 2 live stream movies, surf the internet and talk on the network extender and no problems. My paticular provider, 1.5 was not fast enough.

Before I ran a speed test while using the extender, streaming a movie and the download speed came in at .78 mbps. after they speeded me up, now it comes in at a 4.2 mbps. I run the test not using the extended network or streaming a movie and it comes in at 6.159mbps...the video takes up a lot of bandwidth.

I did 4 speed tests on just using the network extender while on the phone (1phone), and I did speed tests not using the network extender, not doing anything on the internet..I did the average

while using the extended network average...6.10 mbps.

while not using the extended network average 6.15 mbps.

it does not seem to slow your internet down to much from just using the box..

I think the upload speed is actually more important than download speed. Did the upgrade the upload also?

[DOTsucks]

I think the upload speed is actually more important than download speed. Did the upgrade the upload also?

I did not have a problem with the upload. The upload speed is the same on my provider, the only speed that changes from plan to plan is the download.

I am using the system now with no problems.

[Luxferro]

No - it works fine with DSL service here, 3.0 Mbps down / 384 Kbps up. Fastest offered in my area.

Note to anyone who wants to try to use QoS to prioritize traffic for this device: This thing uses a VPN connection (I think it is IPSEC but I haven't messed with it to be sure yet), so you are looking for the VPN packets, not VoIP (such as SIP or H.323) packets.

Do you have any idea what port it uses for it's VPN connection?

It makes sense that it would use a VPN connection, cause I was wondering how it didn't need any port forwarding. I guess with VPN, the extender initiates an outgoing connection to verizon, and sets everyhing up over that initial outgoing connection from the extender.

It could probably do it with a SSH tunnel too.

[markj73]

If you can pass radio through it you can get it here: http://www.tessco.com/

I could not find the one I needed there,
locally I bought a SMA -> TNC (no not BNC) lol
adapter works fine, from my brief field tests with my Boulder
@1' from the Stock antenna gives -68db ...
@1' from my Mobile antenna on a ground plane -50db ...
I think the mobile antenna has some 12~db gain not sure it has been a few years , my memory is fading LOL

Field tested it outside and no major improvement but did seem a little bit better in some of the spots where it would break up, the difference was marginal...

This may be due to my Antenna not being in the best of shape...


my GPS antenna installed outside
I used some expensive electrical tape '3M' something like $5/roll
does not leave sticky mess behind... Inexpensive way to put an indoor antenna outdoors...

[Luxferro]

I dig some digging, and found some commands to run from my routers shell to find more about the communication of the extender box and verizon.

here's what i found (I replaced my IP's with LAN_IP/WAN_IP):

cat /proc/net/ip_conntrack | grep LAN_IP

udp      17 119 src=LAN_IP dst=69.78.95.193 sport=4500 dport=4500
	          src=69.78.95.193 dst=WAN_IP sport=4500 dport=4500
                      [ASSURED] use=1 rate=6 mark=0

So the box communicates from its LAP_IP to verizon's server on port 4500. Then verizon's server communicates back, on WAN_IP, port 4500.

The server it is communicating with is in NJ, and I live on Long Island (NY). But sound quality is still really good

So we know it communicates with verizon on port 4500. And that it has a HTTP server on port 80. And that it will only talk to the device it's attached to. Someone else's turn to find stuff out :

edit: the 119 in the code above is the time out for the connection. it decrements down from 119, and every time there is some sort of traffic on the connection it resets to 119. about every 20 seconds the network extender talks to verizons server

[TekWarren]

Excellent info thanks!