[czech622]

I've been having the following problems for the last few months: Once I connected my Ethernet network to either my HR21 or HR20, both boxes, without fail, would start to slowly have problems with changing channels, slow remote responses, and eventually 6 - 12 hours later would lockup and force either a rbr or unplug and reset. Well, I think I found the problem. Removing the Ethernet cable does not fix the problem as it is only treating a symptom. What if you still want to use VOD or Media share?

I kept hoping that the numbnuts at Directv would finally find the problem and fix it thru a software update but, I don't think they even know where the problem is or that one exists.

I got out my Wireshark sniffer and ran it for about an hour and looked at the results: What's this? I find an attempt by my HR20 is sending a UPNP packet. hmmm sounds iteresting. What another one and another one? Thousands? Why would Directv need to set port forwarding on my router? All network request start local so there should be no reason port forwarding needs to be set.

Well, since I could not find what ports that were trying to be opened, I was forced to turn on UPNP on my ZyWall firewall and guess what? I have been up and running now for 48 hours without a problem. The hr20 and hr21 were constantly sending out these packets, trying to set UPNP on my router, but in doing so were causing some sort of a memory leak within the boxes themselves. What Directv should be doing is trying to set up UPNP just a couple of times and then stop. IF someone does not want UPNP turned on at their router, they shouldn't have to just to use media share or VOD or atleast tell us what ports to open up manually.

So for me, turning on UPNP in my firewall fixed my network issues. Now, if Directv could tell us what ports to open up, I'd feel more comfortable with my home network security.

Thanks, Kelly

 

[gregjones]

I've been having the following problems for the last few months: Once I connected my Ethernet network to either my HR21 or HR20, both boxes, without fail, would start to slowly have problems with changing channels, slow remote responses, and eventually 6 - 12 hours later would lockup and force either a rbr or unplug and reset. Well, I think I found the problem. Removing the Ethernet cable does not fix the problem as it is only treating a symptom. What if you still want to use VOD or Media share?

I kept hoping that the numbnuts at Directv would finally find the problem and fix it thru a software update but, I don't think they even know where the problem is or that one exists.

I got out my Wireshark sniffer and ran it for about an hour and looked at the results: What's this? I find an attempt by my HR20 is sending a UPNP packet. hmmm sounds iteresting. What another one and another one? Thousands? Why would Directv need to set port forwarding on my router? All network request start local so there should be no reason port forwarding needs to be set.

Well, since I could not find what ports that were trying to be opened, I was forced to turn on UPNP on my ZyWall firewall and guess what? I have been up and running now for 48 hours without a problem. The hr20 and hr21 were constantly sending out these packets, trying to set UPNP on my router, but in doing so were causing some sort of a memory leak within the boxes themselves. What Directv should be doing is trying to set up UPNP just a couple of times and then stop. IF someone does not want UPNP turned on at their router, they shouldn't have to just to use media share or VOD or atleast tell us what ports to open up manually.

So for me, turning on UPNP in my firewall fixed my network issues. Now, if Directv could tell us what ports to open up, I'd feel more comfortable with my home network security.

Thanks, Kelly

If you will refer to the CE forum, you will notice that network services are in fact part of the release. UPNP is specifically discussed so that information can be pushed directly to the receiver.

Likewise, a UPNP packet hitting a UPNP-disabled firewall should have zero effect on the HR20 and your firewall. I had UPNP disabled on my Belkin for some weeks after the UPNP option was available with no issues whatsoever. More than likely the issues with your box had more to do with several dodgy software releases that caused lockup issues unrelated to the UPNP packets.

And thousands of UPNP packets is really nothing to worry about. 1440 per day would only be one per minute. That hasn't impacted your network.

 

[czech622]

You turned UPNP off after your firewall had already been updated? Clear your firewall and try again with UPNP off and let's see what happens. I cleared my firewall, turned off UPNP and guess what? It locked up again on two separate HR20 and HR21 boxes.

 

[gregjones]

You turned UPNP off after your firewall had already been updated? Clear your firewall and try again with UPNP off and let's see what happens. I cleared my firewall, turned off UPNP and guess what? It locked up again on two separate HR20 and HR21 boxes.

No, UPNP is always off on my firewall. The DVR ran for a very long time with the UPNP-enabled code on it and no UPNP-enabled firewall.

 

[GregLee]

If you will refer to the CE forum, you will notice that network services are in fact part of the release.

No, he won't notice that, because network services was removed from 0x254. If the HR20 in this version is trying to set up network services, that's misbehavior.

Congratulations, Kelly, on probably finding the source of your slow-down problem.

 

[gregjones]

No, he won't notice that, because network services was removed from 0x254. If the HR20 in this version is trying to set up network services, that's misbehavior.

Congratulations, Kelly, on probably finding the source of your slow-down problem.

If UPNP packets being sent to a router without UPNP enabled were causing HR2x machines to slowdown this would be much more widespread. Most early home network routers did not have UPNP. As HR2x owners tend to overrepresent early technology adopters, this should have been a considerable issue impacting a large population.

I'm glad if the problems have dissipated for the OP, but UPNP seems a bit of a stretch for the cause.