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Understanding data usage/data loss and connection paths

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Gwalk900
Honorary Alumnus

Understanding data usage/data loss and connection paths


We see many posts here in the Community related to data useage/data loss.

This post is intended to provide some insight in understanding how data is used and reported and what tools you have in measuring that usage.

 

We need to start by understanding that a satellite connection is more complex than a ground based connection.

Lets look at one of the major differences:

 

The Hughes Loop:

1 Hughes Loop.PNG

 

Every bit and byte of data has to run through the modem.

This useage is in three forms ......

>Data used by the modem itself in the form of "Command & Control" otherwise known as Overhead<

>Data used in the re-transmission of your data due to failing equipment<

>Data used by YOUR devices connected to the Modems LAN port<

There are procedures, processes and tools to assess and address each of these.

 

It is important to note that the Modem must remain powered up for the Hughes Loop to remain intact, that all internal Modem logs are retained so the forum Mods are able to use the data to support your issue and that all useage and history meters are updated as of the last modem "sync cycle" with the Gateway.

 

Taking them one by one:

>Data used by the modem itself in the form of "Command & Control" otherwise known as Overhead<

 

If you believe you are losing data the first step is a Modem Isolation Test:

2 Modem Isolation Test.jpg

The steps are straight forward:

#1: Take a sceenshot of the Status Meter

#2: Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the rear of the Modem

 

NOTE: If you have a HT2000w Wifi Modem the wireless "radios" must be disabled. This is done to insure that all connection paths are severed and the the Modem is truely isolated from everything except the Gateway

 

#3: Note the exact time of disconnect

#4: Wait a period of time. Perhaps overnight

#5: Reconnect the Ethernet cable (and re-enable radios if using a HT2000w wifi modem

#6: Take another screenshot of the Status Meter

#7: Note the exact time of reconnection

#8: Assess the results:

If more than a minor amount of data was used, start a new topic here in the Community and post your disconnect/reconnect screenshots along with times of each. Leave your Modem powered up to preserve the modem logs and the forum Mods will address your issue.

 

This will address any "rogue" modem issues, the first of the three items listed at the begining of this post

 

Next we have:

>Data used in the re-transmission of your data due to failing equipment<

For this we need to start a topic and tag one of the Mods and ask that they run remote diagnostics on your system.

It is possible for data that you have sent or requested to have to be retransmitted thereby using excess data. This can be due to failing modem/transmitter or poor aim among other things.

 

Finally the last and most difficult:

>Data used by YOUR devices connected to the Modems LAN port<

We have to understand "connection paths".

These are going to be ALL  of the potential ways that devices can access your Hughes Modem and thereby gain access to your data.

In the past (prior to the HT2000w wifi modem) things were pretty simple. Nothing connected to the Modem's single Eternet port ... equals no connection paths and no data usage:

 

Simple Network:

3 simple network.png

This is what we used to have ... one "connection path" to the Modem ..

It is more complex than it appears however.

That single computer has 65,536 com ports that can connect. That computer has software installed and both Programs  (that we can see are running) and Processes  (running in the background) that are going to send data along that single connection path.

The modem in turn sends and receives data to the Gateway along with "Command & Control" signals. Command & Control is NOT counted against your data allowance but normal send and receive data is as well as any data that needs to be retransmitted.

It can be tough to measure that data because Hughes does compress data where possible and users will benefit from that compression.

 

Lets go over the tools that Hughes makes available ... there are several.

Three "Usage" meters and two "History" meters and each has their own strengths and weaknesses.

 

Usage Meters:

None of the Usage Meters are exactly "real-time", there is some delay but not much ... as long as the modem is powered up and connected to the Gateway.  If the "Hughes Loop" is broken for any reason then the reported data will not be accurate until the next "sync cycle".

 

 

The SCC (System Control Center) meter is internal to the Modem and found at 192.168.0.1

(HT1100 shown below)

 

4 SCC.PNG

 

Hughes users have three Data Buckets from which to draw data.

In the case of Gen4 and Gen5 users with monthly plans these Data Buckets are:

Anytime Bytes: 8am to 2am local time

Bonus Bytes: 2am to 8am local time

Token Bytes: If available, used when Anytime Bytes are depleted during the 8am to 2am period

 

All three Data Buckets are shown in the SCC meter

The "resolution" of the SCC meter is .1 GB (100 MB) so it subject to "rounding errors" so it will display to the nearest 50 MB. That is OK for general use but lacks detail if trying to track an issue.

 

The second usage meter Hughes has made available is the Download Status Meter:

5 Download Status Meter.PNG

 

For a number of reasons I haven't upgraded to the latest and greatest but the main functions are there.

Remaining data in all three Data Buckets: Anytime, Bonus and Token.

The Download Status Meter is available for download from the Hughesnet MyAccount page:

http://my.hughesnet.com/myaccount

It is a utility that installs on your computers systray and may be opened/closed as needed.

It too, once at the 1 GB usage level, suffers from rounding errors due to its .1 GB resolution

 

 

The third and most accurate of the useage meters is the MyAccount meter:

6 MyAccount Meter.PNG

This meter can be found after logging in here:

http://my.hughesnet.com/myaccount?_udreq=1&tab=Usage

 

This is the most accurate of the three usage meters allowing you to read down to a single MB but you do have to connect to the Hughes MyAccount page and log in to access it.

 

In addition to the Useage meters we also have two History Displays.

One is on the History tab of the Download Status Meter:

7 DSM History Display.PNG

 

This is an older version but the essential points are made ... data per day.

The thing is, with three data buckets we have to define "Day" if we are to verifiy and track data usage.

 

The last History display is found on the Hughes MyAccount page after logging in:

8 MyAccount History.PNG

 

This last version is step backwards from what we used to have as it lacks the ability to see hour-by-hour usage for the last 24 hour period. This really is essential for those trying to pin down just when something happened. For that as well as to who or what used the data we have to employ other means.

 

Hughes is an ISP, contracted to provide a set amount of data per month. As such they really don't track where a user goes and what they do short of having a court order or suspected illegal activity. They only track usage to the extent needed to meet the usage contract. If a user disagrees then they (the user) need to provide a counter argument backed by data.

 

Lets look at our single connection path Network:

 

9 Networks Points A and B.png

 

Hughes has their measurment point, Point A and the best place to make our counter argument is at the other end of the connection path ... Point B

 

For that we need to install software such as Glasswire to measure what passes Point B and then compare it to the Hughes Point A value:

10 Networks Points A and B.png

 

 

 That brings us to GlassWire, The free version is fine for our purpose.

www.glasswire.com

 

Glasswire interface and suggested setup:

11 Glasswire setup.png

 

There is learning curve to Glasswire but here are some tips on how to define and display a period:

12 Glasswire My Details.PNG

 

So we now have a counter argument for usage ... if we have only a single connection path

Glasswire will only monitor the usage of the single computer that it is installed on,

 

Most user networks involve multiple connection paths ... and data can be used by any of them. While Hughes still has their Point A we now have many Point B's, one for each wired device and even worse we have introduced a Point C ... (router setup and vulnerabilites) and a Point D ... namely every wireless frequency.

 

Now our Network has evolved into something like this:

13 Typical Home Network.png

 

 

 

We could and should install a copy of Glasswire on all Windows (Win7 and up) based computers both wired and wireless but that leaves many many connection paths unmonitored.

There have been so many changes lately, changes in OS's, video card drivers that "call home", multiple vulnerabilities in several brands of Routers ... Linksys and Netgear to name a couple. Beyond Ads and auto-start videos we now have HTML5 pre-fetch that is using a lot of data if not blocked with the proper browser extentions ....

 

The questions then become ... Who, What, When and Where?

Who? ... what device among all our devices?

What? .. what program, process or firmware?

When? ... when was the data used?

Where? ... where did this devices go on the'net?

 

Potential Causes:

 

One comment frequently seen is "Nothing has changed on my end, I'm doing nothing different than I have ever done".

This is likely an accurate statement except  ... something may have changed with a number of other things:

 

> Changes in the behavior of websites <

Many sites have "auto-start" embedded video content that if not blocked will eat massive amounts of data. To add to that and is much harder to detect is that more and more sites now have HTML5 video content that will, unless blocked by a browser extension, consume data by "pre-fetching" video content. More sites are adding this feature almost daily it seems.

 

> Virus/Malware/Adware <

No one is immune to these types of threats.

The fact that you run an Antivirus program does not provide 100% immunity. Zero Day exploits are discovered daily.

Ensuring that your virus definitions are up to date and running a weekly manual scan will help but not eliminate the threat entirely. It is also recommended to download the free version of Malwarebytes and run a weekly manual scan.

 

> Cloud and Sync functions <

Many cloud based backup and synchronization functions are enabled by default. In some cases these may have been previously disabled by the user only to have been re-enabled due to program updates or the result of Operating System updates.

 

> Operating System behavior <

Windows 10 is a difficult OS to manage at best. Updates can only be controlled in very limited fashion. Win10 also is set to share "telemetry"  with Microsoft thereby using even more data. Win10 can also "share" updates that it has downloaded with other computers unless this is disabled.

Other OS's such as Win7 and 8.1 can emulate some of these Win10 behaviors depending upon which updates have been installed.

 

> Network security >

There can be Router setting aspects that if overlooked can allow usage paths that aren't apparent:

 

Have you changed the default username and password that allows access to the Router's internal settings page?

Have you enabled strong wireless encryption on all wireless frequencies?

Have you disabled the Routers WPS function?

Have you disabled all wireless "Guest Accounts"?

Have you checked for any Router internal "services" that may be enabled?

 

> Software and browser corruption <

Software at times simply does not do as its told. I have software installed to update my Garmin GPS. Despite settings to the contrary it still periodically connects as a background process and uses some data.

Browsers can become corrupted. More than one Hughes user over the years has been able to pinpoint excessive usage to a given browser ... Firefox, Chrome, whatever ... take your pick. Uninstalling and reinstalling fixed the issue.

 

> Overlooked devices such as networked wireless printers <

One often overlooked area of usage is that of both wired and wireless printers. Depending on permissions, these devices can use massive amounts of data for updates to their software suite packages.

 

There can be no comprehensive "Do this and all is well" list because the landscape is in a constant state of change.

 

 

Identification:

Hopefully it is apparent that there is no single cause to data usage, hence there can be no single "silver bullet" cure.

 

It now becomes a matter of identification and that requires that we monitor ALL connection paths between our devices and "POINT A",  that traffic point that Hughes uses to charge our monthly data allotment.

 

In a simple network consisting of a single wired computer directly connected to a non-WiFi modem we need only install Glasswire and compare its reported usage to that claimed by Hughes.

We could then sift through the Glasswire output to identify ways to cut usage and yes there are many ways ... but the culprits must first be ID'd.

 

Very few of us however have such a simple setup. With the inclusion of routers and Wifi connections other steps need to be considered.

Here is a diagram outlining a more typical setup that defines the various connection paths:

 

14 Router graphic.png

 

First we have POINT A: The Hughes measurement point

Then we have, on our side of the Network:

Point B: One or more wired devices connected to the Router's LAN ports

Point C: Router "internals" consisting of firmware and services that some Routers supply

Point 😧 That point within the Router that accounts for all wireless traffic. This can be divided into one or more wireless frequencies

Point E: This is the total traffic through the Router including upload and download and covers all connection path.

 

Point E is the most logical point to monitor to use as a comparison point to the usage claimed by Hughes. If the proper data is available it will also define how much data is being used overall, by each device and which software application is using the data as well as when the data was used.

 

Quickest Solution:

The fastest solution to identifying how much data is being used by every device is to measure the amount of data that passes through a central point, defined as Point E in the above commentary, and that point lays within some Routers. Point E is not a place, it is a Router function.

 

The Router has to have a Traffic Analyzer function and not all do. In some cases Router functions can be enhanced through a firmware update.

I strongly suggest that anyone that has questions related to their usage replace their Router with one that can track and display usage on the basis of Date, Time, Device and Application.

 

In the past whenever a subscriber needed to have more than a single device sharing their connection they simply installed their own Router so as to add additional LAN ports and/or add wireless capacity.

This still holds true today even with the introduction of the Hughes HT2000w Wifi modem.

 

If a subscriber has a HT2000w Wifi Modem we have a slightly different scenario In that the Modem proper and the wireless functions are combined in the same unit. This means that we have to take a different approach as there is no means in which to "insert" a Router with data tracking ability between the Modem proper and the WiFi Modems wireless functions.

 

Functional Diagram of the WiFi Modem:

 

 

15 WiFi Modem.png

 

 

 There is however a way around this issue and it may even provide better overall network performance.

 

The answer is to disable the WiFi Modems wireless channels and install our own Router that has the "tools" to measure all data that passes through the "network" on its way to/from the Hughes Modem.

 

While the idea of purchasing and installing a new Router seems drastic this will very quickly pinpoint where to concentrate your efforts to reduce data consumption across the board and find every elusive device, program and application.

 

There are a number of ways our Network "security" and performance can be improved by doing so:

 

I have always felt that a user's Router holds the "Keys to the Network Kingdom"

All routers have at least one hardware "Firewall" and many have two or more.

Having your own Router means .... Your Router, Your Rules  and there is value in that.

Another aspect is in performance ... how powerful is the Routers CPU? How much memory is available?

 

Not all Routers are created equal ......

From a wireless standpoint the ability to place the unit in the best location is very important ... this is tough to do with a WiFi modem .. Routers like an elevated central location, hard to do with a WiFi modem and the lack of external antennas that can be aimed further limits "tuning" a wireless router to its environment.

 

The addition of a quality Router to a users Network can enhance performance, add additional security and provide detailed information of data used.

 

There are a number of router brands that offer models with the capacity to track data in various way. Research your choice carefully.

In this example I'm using an Asus RT-AC3100 running the Asuswrt-Merlin firmware that provides mild but stable enhancements over the stock Asus firmware.

 

We can define a period of days and display the total usage per day and also see the amounts used by individual computers and devices:

1 traffic 2 day all.PNG

 

 

We can choose a statistical view that will depict hours of operation in the upper blue graph:

2 traffic all.PNG

 

We can view the hours of usage by an individual device:

3 traffic hours samsung.PNG

 

We can see what applications and processes were active during the period in question:

4 traffic where first.PNG5 traffic where second.PNG

 

To be effective, you have to monitor all connection paths all of the time. This can only be done from a central point, that point being your router.

It is the nature of "missing data" to be somewhat sporatic in nature. The causes are many and varied ... virus/malware activity, overlooked cloud applications and so on.

 

Before you can control your data, you have to indentify the devices, programs and processes that consume that data.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21 REPLIES 21
juicebug
New Poster


@Gwalk900 wrote:

We see many posts here in the Community related to data useage/data loss.

This post is intended to provide some insight in understanding how data is used and reported and what tools you have in measuring that usage.

 

We need to start by understanding that a satellite connection is more complex than a ground based connection.

Lets look at one of the major differences:

 

The Hughes Loop:

1 Hughes Loop.PNG

 

Every  bit and byte of usage has to run through the modem.

This useage is in three forms ......

>Data used by the modem itself in the form of "Command & Control" otherwise known as Overhead<

>Data used in the re-transmission of your data due to failing equipment<

>Data used by YOUR devices connected to the Modems LAN port<

There are procedures and processes and tools to assess and address each of these.

 

It is important to note that the Modem must remain powered up for the Hughes Loop to remain intact, that all internal Modem logs are retained so the forum Mods are able to use the data to support your issue and that all useage and history meters are updated as of the last modem "sync cycle" with the Gateway.

 

Taking them one by one:

>Data used by the modem itself in the form of "Command & Control" otherwise known as Overhead<

 

If you believe you are losing data the first step is a Modem Isolation Test:

2 Modem Isolation Test.jpg

The steps are straight forward:

#1: Take a sceenshot of the Status Meter

#2: Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the rear of the Modem

 

NOTE: If you have a HT2000w Wifi Modem the wireless "radios" must be disabled. This is done to insure that all connection paths are severed and the the Modem is truely isolated from everything except the Gateway

 

#3: Note the exact time of disconnect

#4: Wait a period of time. Perhaps overnight

#5: Reconnect the Ethernet cable (and re-enable radios is using a HT2000w wifi modem

#6: Take another screenshot of the Status Meter

#7: Note the exact time of reconnection

#8: Assess the results:

If more than a minor amount of data was used, start a new topic here in the Community and post your disconnect/reconnect screenshots along with times of each. Leave your Modem powered up to preserve the modem logs and the forum Mods will address your issue.

 

This will address any "rogue" modem issues, the first of three items listed at the begining of this post

 

Next we have:

>Data used in the re-transmission of your data due to failing equipment<

For this we need to start a topic and tag one of the Mods and ask that they run remote diagnostics on your system.

It is possible for data that you have sent or requested to have to be retransmitted thereby using excess data. This can be due to failing modem/transmitter or poor aim among other things.

 

Finally the last and most difficult:

>Data used by YOUR devices connected to the Modems LAN port<

We have to understand "connection paths".

These are going to be ALL  of the potential ways that devices can access your Hughes Modem and thereby gain access to your data.

In the past (prior to the HT2000w wifi modem) things were pretty simple. Nothing connected to the Modems single Eternet port ... equals no connection paths and no data usage:

 

Simple Network:

3 simple network.png

This what we used to have ... one "connection path" to the Modem ..

It is more complex than it appears however.

That single computer has 65,536 com ports that can connect. That computer has software installed and both Programs  that we can see are running and Processes  running in the background are going to send data along that single connection path.

The modem in turn sends and receives data to the Gateway along with "Command & Control" signals. Command & Control is NOT counted against your data allowance but normal send and receive data is as well as any data that needs to be retransmitted.

It can be tough to measure that data because Hughes does compress data where possible and users will benefit from tha compression.

 

Lets go over the tools that Hughes makes available ... there are several.

Three "Usage" meters and two "History" meters and each has their own strengths and weaknesses.

 

Usage Meters:

None of the Usage Meters are exactly "real-time", there is some delay but not much ... as long as the modem is powered up and connected to the Gateway.  If the "Hughes Loop" is broken for any reason then the reported data will not be accurate until the next "sync cycle".

 

 

The SCC (System Control Center) meter is internal to the Modem and found at 192.168.0.1

 

4 SCC.PNG

 

Hughes users have three Data Buckets from which to draw data

In the case of Gen4 and Gen5 users with monthly plans these Data Buckets are:

Anytime Bytes: 8am to 2am local time

Bonus Bytes: 2am to 8am local time

Token Bytes: If available, used when Anytime Bytes are depleted during the 8am to 2am period

 

All three Data Buckets are shown in the SCC meter

The "resolution" of the SCC meter is .1 GB (100 MB) so it subject to "rounding errors" so it will display to the nearest 50 MB. That is OK for general use but lacks detail if trying to track an issue.

 

The second usage meter Hughes has made available is the Download Status Meter:

5 Download Status Meter.PNG

 

For a number of reasons I haven't upgraded to the latest and greatest but main functions are there.

Remaining data in all three Data Buckets, Anytime, Bonus and Token.

The Download Status Meter is available for download from the Hughesnet MyAccount page:

http://my.hughesnet.com/myaccount

It is a utility that installs on your computers systray and may be opened/closed as needed.

It too, once at the 1 GB usage level, suffers from rounding errors due to its .1 GB resolution

 

 

The third and most accurate of the useage meters is the MyAccount meter:

6 MyAccount Meter.PNG

This meter can be found after logging in here:

http://my.hughesnet.com/myaccount?_udreq=1&tab=Usage

 

This is the most accurate of the three usage meters allowing you to read down to a single MB but you do have to connect to the Hughes MyAccount page to access it.

 

In addition to the Useage meters we also have two History Displays.

One is on the History tab of the Download Status Meter:

7 DSM History Display.PNG

 

This an older version but the essential points are made ... data per day.

The thing is, with three data buckets we have to define "Day" if we are to verifiy and track data usage.

 

The last History display is found on the Hughes MyAccount page after logging in:

8 MyAccount History.PNG

 

This last version is step backwards from what we used to have as it lacks the ability to see hour-by-hour usage for the last 24 hour period. This really is essential for those trying to pin down just when something happened. For that as well as to who or what used the data we have to employ other means.

 

Hughes is an ISP, contracted to provide a set amount of data per month. As such they really don't track where a user goes and what they do short of having a court order or suspected illegal activity. They only track usage to the extent needed to meet the usage contract. If a user disagrees then they need to provide a counter argument.

 

Lets look at our single connection path Network:

 

9 Networks Points A and B.png

 

Hughes has their measurment point, Point A and the best place to make our counter argument is at the other end of the connection path ... Point B

 

For that we need to install software such as Glasswire to measure what passes Point B and then compare it to the Hughes Point A value:

10 Networks Points A and B.png

 

 

 That brings us to GlassWire, The free version is fine for our purpose.

www.glasswire.com

 

Glasswire interface and suggested setup:

11 Glasswire setup.png

 

There is learning curve to Glasswire but here are some tips on how to define and display a period:

12 Glasswire My Details.PNG

 

So we now have a counter argument for usage ... if we have only a single connection path

 

Most user networks involve multiple connection paths ... and data can be used by any of them. While Hughes still has their Point A we now have many Point B's one for each wired device) and even worse we have introduced a Point C ... (router setup and vulnerabilites) and a Point D ... namely every wireless frequency.

 

Now our Network has evolved into something like this:

13 Typical Home Network.png

 

 

 

We could and should install a copy of Glasswire on all Windows based computers both wired and wireless but that leaves many many connection paths unmonitored.

There have been so many changes lately, changes in OS's, video card drivers that "call home", multiple vulnerabilities in several brands of Routers ... Linksys and Netgear to name a couple. Beyond Ads and auto-start videos we now have HTML5 pre-fetch that is using a lot of data if not blocked with the proper browser extentions ....

 

The questions then become ... Who, What, When and Where?

Who? ... what device among all our devices?

What? .. what program, process or firmware?

When? ... when was the data used?

Where? ... where did this devices go on the'net?

 

To be continued ......

I found out by using internet explorer my tokens is eaten up like wildfire.  I had a severe loss until I quit using internet explorer. 

 

 

 

 


 

GabeU
Distinguished Professor IV

@Gwalk900

 

Very thorough.  Nice job.  

Gwalk900
Honorary Alumnus

Not done yet, ran out time.

Next up is causes followed by solutions.

 

maratsade
Distinguished Professor IV


@Gwalk900 wrote:

Not done yet, ran out time.

Next up is causes followed by solutions.

 


Great job, GWalk! Looking forward to the next installment.

Update added, more to come.

 

GabeU
Distinguished Professor IV

Very nice additions.  I have a feeling that your instructions will be one of the most read posts before long.   

 

BTW, just something small to fix...

 

> Operating System behavior <

Windows 10 is a difficult OS to manage at best. Updates can only be controlled in very fashion.

Gwalk900
Honorary Alumnus

Thanks Gabe, I seen that too (along with a few others)

That's the problem with long posts ... to many words 🙂

Going through and fixing omissions and typos before adding the next chapter.

 

The problem is, you can't describe the "issue" in a single paragraph and in many cases you lose the "audience" if its longer than that.

 

 

 

GabeU
Distinguished Professor IV

 


@Gwalk900 wrote:

 

 

The problem is, you can't describe the "issue" in a single paragraph and in many cases you lose the "audience" if its longer than that. 


 

While in many cases that's very true, I think that by you separating the issues with headers and explaining those issues, and the ways in which to fix them, in a pretty concise manner, people will be able to scan through and quickly find what they are looking for or get an idea of what they need to be looking for. 

 

And, of course, though descriptions can become endlessly long and monotonous, I think you've done a pretty decent job so far.  I've no doubt it will help a lot of people, especially those that don't know a whole lot about data usage, but are aware that they are having such a problem.  Heck, it's easy enough to see that data usage is one of the biggest problems people have.  Especially those that have come from an "unlimited" ISP.     

 

I'm glad that you are taking the time to do all of this.   I'm sure others are, too.    

Since I consider you a valued and a person whose advise I trust, I am asking if you have a trusted download link for the status meter v 6.2.0  for 64 bit. I am running Windows Vista Home Premium and have had no issues until about 4 days ago when I booted up and found the status meter missing, plus a cute little black circle with an explanation point in it on my toolbar. The notice tells me "Modem not available attempting to connect". This is odd, considering I am connected and can surf the net and get my emails etc.  The only other thing that happened at the same time is that my own Facebook page will not load unless I shut off my Avast anti-virus.  These things must all be connected to some internal issue, but I am too ignorant to diagnose the problem.  I can work around the FB failure by just shutting down Avast, however I need to get my status meter back and am unable to find the download file that I thought I had saved.  The newer status meter is totally unworkable on my computer and only the version 6.2.0 will work at all. 

I expect you have that download file saved somewhere and would hope you will be kind enough to share it with me either here or on my Facebook page.  (Sally Thomas)

I thank you in advance for any kindness and possible advise you can provide.

 

GabeU
Distinguished Professor IV

@highprairiest

 

It's important for you to tag, or at least name, the person you are replying to when replying to a specific person.  

 

If whoever it is you are replying to doesn't have the version 6.2 installation file, I do.  It's up to you whether to trust me or not.  

 

With that said, it would be best for you to start a new post requesting the file so that this thread doesn't end up going off on tangents and it sticks to what the OP intended it to be about.  

Asknowles7
Spectator

I appreciate your time and effort in explaining this complicated issue- I actually read through the whole post and am interested in seeing the next installment. But what I come away with is that the issue of finding data leaks has become so difficult that the average customer - who is either not tech savvy ro does not have the time to chase all the avenues - cannot tackle it. I think the solution truly lies in Hughesnet re-evaluating their product, primarlily data restrictions. A lot has changed in how customers use their internet in the past five years, and they have been encouraged by providers every step of the way, while software and app developers have been making use of expanded data capabilities. Now we seem to be hitting a brickwall - especially "rural" customers who depend most on satellite as other high data options are not available. Our state legislators are even now tryong to find solutions. If Hughesnet could vastly increase the data allowances, or remove them all together like cable and DSL, while still keeping their prices comparable to those other options- then satillite would be a very practical solution for all us folks who live just a few miles from town but can't get the service our workmates and family and friends have. This could be agreat opportunity for Hughesnet to step up to the plate and make high speed internet available to the rest of the country, as sateliite did with TV. Please think about it!

C0RR0SIVE
Associate Professor


@Asknowles7 wrote:

If Hughesnet could vastly increase the data allowances, or remove them all together like cable and DSL, while still keeping their prices comparable to those other options


Sad to say...  Most DSL and Cable providers are now capped services and slowly moving to entire market, or already at their full market share and are shrinking the caps or increasing prices exponentially for going over.

GabeU
Distinguished Professor IV


@Asknowles7 wrote:

If Hughesnet could vastly increase the data allowances, or remove them all together like cable and DSL, while still keeping their prices comparable to those other options- then satillite would be a very practical solution for all us folks who live just a few miles from town but can't get the service our workmates and family and friends have. 


The data restrictions are in place because of the capacity of the system.  It's a balance.  If it were unlimited, the system would slow to a crawl due to people doing what is in their nature to do on an unlimited system, or at least a system with a considerably higher data cap....stream.  Enough people streaming and Hughesnet would be no better than dialup.  So the data cap is an unfortunate necessity.  It keeps the system at a high speed and usable for you, me and everyone else on it.  

Complete

 

desertdave35
Freshman

Quote - "There have been so many changes lately, changes in OS's, video card drivers that "call home", multiple vulnerabilities in several brands of Routers ... Linksys and Netgear to name a couple."

 

I am curious to know what vulnerabilities I may have in my Netgear WNDA3100 Router? 

Thanks,

Netgear  was one of a number of brands that had issues that would have been patched with a firmware update.

In addition it is suggested that you disable  Remote Access, WPS  and UPnP, Guest Accounts (unless you use them).

Be sure to have created a username and password in place of the default  and enabled wireless encryption  on all wireless frequencies.

 

GabeU
Distinguished Professor IV


@desertdave35 wrote:

I am curious to know what vulnerabilities I may have in my Netgear WNDA3100 Router? 

Thanks,


The WNDA3100 is a wireless adapter, not a router.  Your router itself is where you would want to concentrate on any types of software/firmware patches and settings that may need to be changed to be secure.  

 

Edit:  It's a good idea to make sure that the software/firmware is up to date for/in the WNDA3100 adapter, too.  

Here is the correct info on my router sorry.

Netgear N600 802.11n Dual Band Gigabit WiFi DSL Modem Router

To upgrade the firmware, do I go to netgears website for the download?

GabeU
Distinguished Professor IV


@desertdave35 wrote:

Here is the correct info on my router sorry.

Netgear N600 802.11n Dual Band Gigabit WiFi DSL Modem Router

To upgrade the firmware, do I go to netgears website for the download?


 

This is probably the easiest method for updating the firmware....

 

https://kb.netgear.com/23442/How-do-I-update-my-NETGEAR-router-s-firmware-using-the-Check-button-in-...

 

And, though it won't matter if you use the above method as the model will automatically be detected and known, the N600 is actually the type, not the model number.  The model number should be listed somewhere on the bottom or back of the router, quite possibly near where you saw the N600.     

   

Gwalk900
Honorary Alumnus

The are times where the "auto-check" fails to detect newer versions.

As Gabe stated the N600 is generic, check the sticker on the bottom or rear for exact model and version/

Once found, enter that info here and check current vs latest listed:

 

https://www.netgear.com/support/download/