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* [[USB]] lead (Not Included In Latest Homehub 2.0)
* [[USB]] lead (Not Included In Latest Homehub 2.0)


{| class="wikitable"
===BT Home Hub 1.0 and 1.5 Specifications===
|-
The BT Home Hub’s technical specifications are as follows:<ref name=specs>[http://www.shop.bt.com/invt/car121?htxt=zF7oUiNwnTSrO3lc%2B8E1EjJ8S8pT4iPKwtOjnx5SGwSniUgjXM%2Bs4f%2BtRZeeHT9XfgzUZAtMOnpb%0AdADRL5gjJw%3D%3D BT Home Hub Package] - BT Home Hub Specifications. Retrieved 14 February 2007.</ref>
! Spec !! Hub 1.0/1.5<ref name=specs>[http://www.shop.bt.com/invt/car121?htxt=zF7oUiNwnTSrO3lc%2B8E1EjJ8S8pT4iPKwtOjnx5SGwSniUgjXM%2Bs4f%2BtRZeeHT9XfgzUZAtMOnpb%0AdADRL5gjJw%3D%3D BT Home Hub Package] - BT Home Hub Specifications. Retrieved 14 February 2007.</ref> !! Hub 2.0<ref name="newhomehub" />
* '''ADSL2+ Modem''' - 24 Mbit/s downstream, 3 Mbit/s upstream
|-
* '''WiFi''' - Supports the IEEE 802.11b/g standards
| Modem || ADSL2+ || ADSL
* '''Ports''' - 2 [[Ethernet]] 10/100 Mbit/s, 1 [[USB 1.1]], 2 [[RJ11]] (broadband in and phone)
|-
* '''Security protocols''' - Supports [[WEP]] and [[WPA-PSK]]/[[WPA-PSK|WPA2-PSK]]/[[RADIUS]]. The BT Home Hub comes with a default WEP security code that is unique for each box, the code is printed on the back of the unit
| [[Wi-fi]] || 802.11 b/g || 802.11 b/g/n
⚫
* '''Software''' - version 6.2.6.H (latest for all BT FON users with automatic updating. Users not on BT FON will have their units upgraded later on.<ref name=6.2.6.H>[http://beta.bt.com/bta/forums/ann.jspa?annID=75] - 6.2.6.H Home Hub Firmware Update. Retrieved 26 May 2008.</ref>)
|-

| Wireless<br>Security || colspan="2" | [[WEP]] and [[WPA-PSK]]/[[WPA-PSK|WPA2-PSK]]/[[RADIUS]]
===BT Home Hub 2.0 (Black) Specifications===
|-

⚫
| Ports || 2x [[Ethernet]] 10/100 Mbit/s<br>1x [[USB 1.1]]<br> 2x [[RJ11]] (broadband in and phone) || 4 x 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet sockets (RJ45)<br> 1x USB<br>1x Broadband In (RJ11)<br>1x telephone socket
* '''Modem''': ADSL (Broadband)
|-
* '''Wifi''': 802.11b / 802.11g / 802.11n (Supports WEP, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK) 130Mbit/s 2 antennae (internal Broadcom BCM94321MP)
* '''Dimensions''': Width: 175mm , Depth: 88mm , Height: 182mm
| Dimensions<br>(w x d x h) || - || 175 x 88 x 182mm
|-
* '''Main features''': Pre-configured to work on BT Total Broadband lines
⚫
| Software || 6.2.6.H<ref name=6.2.6.H>[http://beta.bt.com/bta/forums/ann.jspa?annID=75] - 6.2.6.H Home Hub Firmware Update. Retrieved 26 May 2008.</ref> || -
⚫
* '''Connectors''': 4 x 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet sockets (RJ45), 1 x USB, Broadband In (RJ11), telephone socket.
|-
|}


====Background====
====Background====

Revision as of 17:43, 28 March 2010

The BT Home Hub (v1.0)

The BT Home Hub is a wireless Internet router distributed by BT. It is based on the IEEE 802.11g (WiFi) standard and also supports IEEE 802.11b devices. It is significant as it marks BT’s departure away from traditional telecommunications services and towards Internet and media products. It supports VoIP Internet calls and is compatible with existing DECT handsets. It works with the existing BT Fusion service and works with the BT Vision video on demand service.[1] The device connects to the Internet using a standard ADSL connection. Since the release of the BT Home Hub, there have been several improvements to the firmware of the device. Consequently, BT has released a new Home Hub, version 2.0, which is much smaller in size than its predecessor.

There have been four different versions of the hub so far:

  • Version 0.5 — grey (no Hub Phone was available)
  • Version 1.0 — white (matching white Hub Phone was available)
  • Version 1.5 — white (matching white Hub Phone is available, but in limited supply)
  • Version 2.0 — black (matching black Hub Phone is available)

Versions 1.0 and 1.5 were also available in black for a limited time and a matching black Hub Phone was available.

As of mid 2008 BT finished rolling out the new 2.0 black, curved Home Hub to all new BT total Broadband customers; existing customers can purchase the new Home Hub or get the new Home Hub as a free replacement for their old white one if they sign a new 12 month contract and say they've got the old style Home Hub.

Currently there are two different manufacturers of the Version 2 hub; Thomson make the 2A (Type A hub) and Gigaset makes the 2B (Type B hub). Whilst the looks and functionality appear to be identical, the Type 2A has been plagued with problems relating to poorly tested Firmware upgrades which among other problems cause the Hub 2A to restart when uploading files using the wireless connection. [2]

Features

The BT Home Hub is a wireless router and combined phone. It supports wireless internet access through 802.11b/g or n with the Hub 2.0, with the WPA security protocol.[3] It supports many of BT's services such as BT Fusion, BT Vision and BT Broadband Anywhere. It can also be used as a VOIP phone through BT Broadband Talk.

Specifications

The BT Home Hub package includes:[4]

  • Broadband cable
  • Ethernet cable (Cat5e)
  • Power adapter
  • 2 ADSL microfilters
  • Phone to RJ11 converter
  • USB lead (Not Included In Latest Homehub 2.0)
Spec Hub 1.0/1.5[5] Hub 2.0[3]
Modem ADSL2+ ADSL
Wi-fi 802.11 b/g 802.11 b/g/n
Wireless
Security		 WEP and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK/RADIUS
Ports 2x Ethernet 10/100 Mbit/s
1x USB 1.1
2x RJ11 (broadband in and phone)		 4 x 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet sockets (RJ45)
1x USB
1x Broadband In (RJ11)
1x telephone socket
Dimensions
(w x d x h)		 - 175 x 88 x 182mm
Software 6.2.6.H[6] -

Background

The BT Home Hub can only be used with the BT Total Broadband package without modification; the 1.0 1.5 and 2.0A versions can be unlocked. [7]. The BT Home Hub configuration software is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, and requires no install if an Ethernet connection to the computer is used.

The hardware contained within the HomeHub v1.0 and v1.5 was manufactured by Inventel, and is equivalent to other Inventel produced and third-party branded routers such as the Orange LiveBox and Thomson Speedtouch 7G and the ST790. Consequently the v1.0 can be flashed with some firmware such as that for the 7G, however full functionality cannot be achieved using this method. The v1.5 firmware whilst not hardware locked as previously claimed does have extra locks in the bootloader which can now be circumvented and full functionality achieved.

At the time of writing there are 2 versions of the BT Home Hub 2.0. The A and the B model The hardware contained within the HomeHub v2.0A was manufactured by Thomson Speedtouch whom bought up Inventel and all their hardware and software rights. This model is electronically identical to the Thomson Speedtouch TG797n.

The hardware contained within the HomeHub v2.0B was manufactured by Siemens's Gigaset division in Germany. The middleware was developed by Jungo a subsidiary of NDS, and is based on their openRGTM product. The product is very similar to the smartBox sold by orange Israel

In the standard firmwares Telnet is available in earlier firmware versions (up to 6.2.2.6) on the v1.0 with appropriate user permissions, and is identical to the custom shell used in the Speedtouch range of routers allowing an almost identical software feature set to them, albeit with a few notable exceptions (eg. PPP authentication is locked on BT firmware). This of course is not the case in the unlocked versions as full telnet is available.

BT Hub Phone

The BT Hub Phone is an optional handset that can be bought to work in conjunction with the Home Hub. It uses Hi-Def sound technology when calls between Hub Phones are made. It calls using the BT Broadband Talk service, and may sit in a dock in the front of the Home Hub or be used on its own stand. A normal telephone which supports DECT can be used in place of the Hub Phone.

With each Hub released since 1.0, a new phone was made to replace it:

  • Home Hub Version 1.0 - Came with the BT Hub Phone 1010
  • Home Hub Version 1.5 - Came with the BT Hub Phone 1020 - the only difference between the 1010 and the 1020 was the lack of the colour screen on the 1020, and lack of colour screen based features.
  • Home Hub Version 2.0 - Came with the BT Hub Phone 2.1

The phones are only partially compatible with newer or older versions of the hub - able to make and receive calls, but with loss of many features.

Criticism

Security concerns

The security of the BT Home Hub has been questioned[8] several times by GNUCITIZEN. In October 2007, Adrian Pastor warned[8] the security and BT Broadband community regarding critical vulnerabilities he discovered in the Home Hub. The details of such research were released later in November 2007 and demonstrated how to fully compromise (get root privileges) on the BT Home Hub by simply tricking a BT Home Hub user to visit a webpage crafted by the attacker.[9]

Such research garnered a significant amount of media attention[10] and even led to Adrian Pastor being invited to BBC Radio 4 where he counter-argued Dave Hughes, director of BT Wireless Broadband. Mr Hughes argued that GNUCITIZEN's vulnerability research only covered a theoretical attack. Mr Pastor, on the other hand, stated that although GNUCITIZEN wasn't aware of such vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild, the attack is fully practical as demonstrated by the exploit code released at www.gnucitizen.org. Furthermore, Mr Pastor argued that the security of the BT Home Hub wasn't sufficient enough to support the newly-introduced Wi-Fi sharing FON service.

The device has also been known to 'kick' users off the internet if too much data is downloaded in a certain timeframe. This problem was identifyed on BBC Radio 4's You and Yours Show.[citation needed]

GPL Violation

The device runs software which uses the Linux kernel, released under the GNU GPL. As a token gesture and, in an attempt to claim adherence to the GPL, BT have released some source code for the device which can be downloaded here. However in violation[11] of the GPL, BT have not published the scripts necessary to compile and install custom firmware to the device.[citation needed]

Undocumented features

The Home Hub includes a USB-A port which has no documented function. It has been found that some devices (such as printers and USB mass storage devices) connected to this port can be shared on that Hub's network. Storage devices (hard disks and thumb drives) must be formatted to FAT32, and hard disk drives must have an external power supply.[12]

References

  1. ^ BT Home Hub Page - Use with BT Fusion and Vision services. Retrieved 14 February 2007.
  2. ^ http://www.jarviser.co.uk/jarviser/firmwarenotes.html
  3. ^ a b "The New BT Home Hub". Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  4. ^ BT Home Hub Package - Items included with the BT Home Hub. Retrieved 14 February 2007.
  5. ^ BT Home Hub Package - BT Home Hub Specifications. Retrieved 14 February 2007.
  6. ^ [1] - 6.2.6.H Home Hub Firmware Update. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  7. ^ "Psidoc.com".
  8. ^ a b "BT Home Flub: Pwnin the BT Home Hub". "Adrian Pastor". Retrieved 2008-10-22.
  9. ^ "BT Home Flub: Pwnin the BT Home Hub". Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  10. ^ "The Register — BT home router wide open to hijackers". Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  11. ^ [2] Source code requirements of GPL
  12. ^ "Home Hub How Tos". Retrieved 2010-03-28.
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