←back to thread

Hack GPON – how to access, change and edit fibre ONTs

(hack-gpon.org)
250 points pabs3 | 6 comments | 25 Sep 24 00:41 UTC | HN request time: 0.348s | source | bottom
Show context
danieldk ◴[25 Sep 24 04:48 UTC] No.41643788[source]▶
This can be a good stopgap, but the solution is to lobby for a law that mandates free ONT/modem/router choice.

We have such legislation in NL and the ISP is required to make it possible to use your own equipment.

Coincidentally, I had my ISP register my Fritz!Box Fiber 5590 as my ONT yesterday, so I have it directly hooked up to XGS-PON with their SFP+ module (no more Genexis ONT \o/).

replies(2): >>41644469 #>>41648842 #
1. tootie ◴[25 Sep 24 16:01 UTC] No.41648842[source]▶
Why? Is there an advantage to using your own ONT? Is it just a personal freedom thing or are there features you can unlock?
replies(3): >>41649346 #>>41651427 #>>41685820 #
2. aidenn0 ◴[25 Sep 24 16:50 UTC] No.41649346[source]▶
I'm not on PON, but on DOCSIS cable, the advantage to using my own modem is:

1. When it breaks, I don't have to wait for weeks for the cable company to send someone to replace it. I just keep a spare on my shelf and can be back up in minutes.

2. Cost: buying my own pays for itself in 6 months.

3. Disintegration: This is more recent, but I've heard from neighbors that the cable company lately doesn't want to rent a modem, only an integrated WAP/router/modem.

replies(1): >>41656785 #
3. kuschku ◴[25 Sep 24 20:19 UTC] No.41651427[source]▶
> Is there an advantage to using your own ONT

Some customers might want a dedicated ONT, some might want an SFP+ module, some might want one integrated into their router.

Some ISPs only allow registering one ONT per account and don't allow changing ONT serial. With your own ONT you can have a hot spare available if one fails.

Some ISPs restrict access to ONT information, with your own ONT you can log connection quality data into grafana and setup alerts.

The ONT is directly accessible from the ISP's network, some ISPs haven't provided updates for their ONTs since 2016. With your own ONT, you can ensure you're always patched and secure.

4. matja ◴[26 Sep 24 10:39 UTC] No.41656785[source]▶
Does your ISP require you to register the MAC address of the HFC interface of your spare modem?
replies(1): >>41658838 #
5. aidenn0 ◴[26 Sep 24 14:30 UTC] No.41658838{3}[source]▶
I can enter it online (via my cell internet obviously), or call in and tell it to a CS rep.
6. danieldk ◴[29 Sep 24 08:34 UTC] No.41685820[source]▶
Sorry for the late reply, but very often the provider equipment is not great. E.g. with my provider it's kinda random if you get a Genexis or Nokia ONT and people have a lot of issues with Genexis ONTs. I think it is because with the relatively low subscription fees, a more expensive ONT eats out of their fees. In fact, our ISP uses the same FRITZ!Box 5590 that I use for business customers.

There may also be a latency benefit of using a device that is an ONT/modem/router in one. It's one ethernet hop less, but I haven't measured.

tl;dr: when you use your own ONT, you have a choice of picking a known-reliable option.