TPG NBN (HFC) and OpenDNS- Help

TheMatrix on 31/10/2017 - 14:08

Hi, I have been using OpenDNS for many years to filter domains at router level (block gambling/adware/pornography sites etc). I just recently switched to TPG NBN (HFC) and the router they supplied (Huawei HG659) does not have the option to edit DNS server, somehow it has been locked down. I called their help centre, they say there is nothing much I can do. I was told if I buy my own NBN ready router/modem, the VoIP may not work (also I was told only Google DNS and theirs DNS server works for NBN plan). I was on ADSL2+ with TPG before and have none of these restrictions- they even give me a static IP.

Anyone in the same situation…any good solution to this (other than switch ISP)? (I don't like installing Parental control software etc on my PC as it only block one PC). Many Thanks.

Internet

Comments

  • dazweeja on 31/10/2017 - 14:44
    1. Put another router before (LAN side) the HG659 and connect to that (less than ideal). I'm assuming TPG don't actively block other DNS servers which would be easy to test anyway. Turn off Wifi on HG659.
    2. Set DNS manually on your PCs and make sure other users aren't Administrators.
    • TheMatrix on 31/10/2017 - 16:06

      Thanks for your suggestion. No 1, I was told VoIP may not work. May try No.2 The problem is I have to set DNS manually for all the ipads and phones for everyone in the house. For these devices, they can be easily changed again…

      • dazweeja on 31/10/2017 - 17:42
        +1

        For No 1, I was proposing that the HG659 is left as it is, connected to NBN NTD, DHCP enabled, etc. Only thing is WiFi disabled to minimise interference. No reason for the phones to stop working.

        Then a second router connects to the HG659, ie. WAN port of second router to LAN port of HG659. All your devices connect to the second router. DHCP is enabled on this one too (different subnet to the HG659), which is how the DNS is propagated to clients. Obviously I can't test this myself but seems like a pretty standard network topology.

        You can also solve this by adding in a switch as well as a second router but I don't see why that extra piece of equipment would be necessary. Sure, your internet data from your devices is going through two levels of routing but that is lightning fast on modern equipment.

        • TheMatrix on 31/10/2017 - 18:33

          I see. May try this when I have more time. Thanks for the info.

  • kbzj on 15/11/2017 - 10:32

    You might have moved on from here, but after time with tech support I got this sorted (I'm with dodo FTTN not tpg, but same modem, maybe even more locked down than tpg?)

    I successfully got openDNS set up and working.

    1. Login to your modem
    2. Go to 'Internet Settings' on the 'Internet' tab
    3. Under your connection, the VDSL one, click 'edit'
    4. The last thing on the list should be 'Static DNS' - click that and you'll be able to override the DNS server

    Hope this helps

    • TheMatrix on 15/11/2017 - 14:09

      Thank you , will give that a try when I get home. Thank for taking the time to share this info, greatly appreciated

    • TheMatrix on 15/11/2017 - 20:03

      Just got home and tried your suggestion above. TPG locked it down. The only fields that I can type in are “account user name” and password. Everything else are not available.

    • twig on 21/06/2019 - 21:57

      Thanks for that hint!

      I was going nuts trying to configure my TPG dispatched Archer VR1600v because lots of comments on the net were saying to set it up in the "LAN" config while it was actually under:

      • Advanced
      • Network
      • EWAN
      • expand "Advanced"
      • enable "Use the Following DNS Addresses"

      Applies immediately, no need to reboot.

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