Network changes

Info

BE are changing the way their core network (also known as Converged Core) is built. This new network is the only way forward for services such as.

• IPv6
• Non-broken routing between customers
• Routed subnets for multiple-static IP customers
• FTTC?

The change will happen exchange by exchange and the old network should run along side the new for around 30 days in each exchange. This will give you 30 days to make the required changes to static IP settings and VPI/VCI.

Changes _will_ be required for ALL static IP customers on BE and on BE Resellers. BE Wholesale customers are unaffected.

Changes for Static IP customers

• New firmware will be shipped for the BEBox to cover these changes.
• New static IP allocation for every static IP customer. There is _no option_ to keep your old static IP once the network change comes to your exchange. Prepare for this change rather than complain / postpone! [Update ACL lists, rdns entries etc.]
• VPI/VCI Change from 0/101 to 0/102 source
• Further settings changes will be required for 3rd party routers, see the link below.
• Handing out of the BE Static IP by DHCP only.

Changes for Multi Static IP customers

• As above except if you currently have four IPs addresses you will receive six; those with eight will also receive six; and if you have a block of 16 you'll receive 14. (source)

Changes for Dynamic IP customers

• Currently BEs Dynamic IPs are very sticky and a customer can sometimes keep the same dynamic IP for years on end, after the network change you will be given a new IP address, depending on the new configuration these may not be as sticky.
• No VPI/VCI changes
• No settings changes will be required for 3rd party routers.

3rd Party Router Configuration

See New Network Router Settings for configuration information.
See BE's help pages for information on how to configure the BE Comtrend Bonding router for use on the new Static IP service.

Q&A / FAQ

Q: I have a 780wl or 716 BEBox. What happens?
A: You will need to bridge the router to a computer or ethernet router or contact BE for a replacement router.

Q: I have not been told what my new IP is but my area is being transferred to the new network.
A: You should contact BE via a ticket, IRC or Phone to obtain your new details. BE will attempt to contact customers who have not changed over a few days before the deadline.

Q: Can BE set the rDNS / PTR record for my new IP range before I change the forward lookup zone (to save my current old static IP rDNS from breaking)?
A: In the past BE have refused to set up and rDNS on an IP if the A record does not already point to that IP. For the change over BE have given a preliminary comment of "You'll still have to raise a ticket to get the rDNS set to the new IP, but it should be OK if the A record doesn't match at the time of the request." source

Q: My router doesn't support IPv6, what happens?
A: BE are not going to do IPv6 yet. The network improvements are just one small step in changes required to bring things _like_ IPv6 in the future.

Q: Will my internet just go dead on the date BE migrate my exchange to the new network?
A: No. Your router will continue to work with its old settings for around 30 days. Dynamic customers don't need to do anything.

Q: Will my internet just go dead if I forget or refuse to make changes within 30 days of the migration?
A: Yes. If you leave your router configured for your old Static IP or Static IP Range, or for the old VPI/VCI, then your internet will stop working after the 30 day changeover period. You will not regain internet until you make the required changes.

Q: I am really stuck and need help NOW!
A: If you are a BE Retail customer call BE Customer Support. If you are a BE Reseller or BE Wholesale supplier, contact BE via your normal support route.

Rollout Plan

BE have announced that work will start with Paddington (WEWPAD) and Paddington North (WEWNPN) on 13/06/2012 and 20/06/2012 respectively. Work will continue exchange-by-exchange all the way through to 2013.

Original Dates:
It was planned to start around end of Feb 2012.
Feb 2012 passed and a revised date of April 2012 was announced.
On 17th April 2012 BE said that the rollout has been put back until the end of April 2012.
On 25th of April 2012 BE announced that the project has been moved back to mid-June 2012

Observations

This section contains observations by the usergroup and BE members.

Example graph from the Paddington (WEWPAD) migration day. Sadly the line being tested isn't too stable so the graph is difficult to read, but here is what happened: