HughesNet and ProxyServer & Firewall

[johncorson]

It appears that HughesNet has made it impossible to configure Shoutcast Server as well as any and all other encoding systems that could be used to broadcast audio and video over the internet. They have installed, via download, software for subscribers systems that put their customers behind a firewall that is controlled by their operations centers and they will not disable it when requested.

The software update also uses a Proxy so that everytime a customer reboots their modem it registers them at a different IP address (I.E. Dynamic routing). Since each customer can have several IP addresses(due to proxy and dual-line broadcast Upward and Downward IP addresses), there are many issues that keep those who utilize this service from every being able to EVER do live streaming.

Any help to bust this problem will be helpful.

JohnCorson

[Greg_E]

Are you talking about the Hughes satellite service?

[johncorson]

Yes - Hughes Satellite Service. The software update that makes it impossible to turn off the firewall and other items that might be necessary to configure encoders is release number 5.4.1.8. I was streaming with Hughes (I live deep in the country) for the last three years. The update was automatically downloaded in late November and I have been trying to work around it for over three weeks. A call to a Hughes tech resulted in a "Oh, we can't remove the firewall for you, that is against company policy to let you stream over the internet." As anyone with half a brain will tell you - that's is Bull S--t! I'm stuck! It's either Hughes or Dial-up.

[Greg_E]

I hade satellite years ago, and they did similar things including turning off the ethernet port on the "modem" so that you had to be directly connected to the thing for it to work. Satellite showed real promise until they founf out how much it really cost to do it right, and tightened the choke hold on the connection.

Even if you find a way around the firewall and accelleration proxy, they can grab you at the modem if you make them mad enough. The only way that I know of is to jump up to a commecial account so that you have control again.

[johncorson]

Oh Yeah! At $999.00 to upgrade the installation and $199.00 a month for the service ... what money making schemes one has when you are the monopoly for those poor souls like me in the country with no broadband, cable, fiber optics or DSL on slate for at least the next five years!

[Greg_E]

Yup, been there.

You could check Starband if they are still in business. As of a few years ago they had some small business packages that were a lot cheaper. But you are still looking at about $200 to install the new equipment, because they think most people are not smart enough to install themselves. I used to be a certified installer, then they stopped allowing independents and you had to go with the Dishnet guys, who more often than not knew nothing about working with satellite transmitters. At that time I also worked at a local TV station driving the satellite uplink truck, so I would have had to say that my skills with ku band transmitters and proper set up and alignment were put to the test much more often than those stupid guys. Most of those guys were also extremely lazy and did poor jobs with the installs. There were constant complaints on the Starband Usenet group. There were also a few hardware hacks getting started, so you might want to track down some user groups to see what might be possible.

[johncorson]

Thanks Greg, but I think what I will do is stick with Hughes and set up a stream from my office computer in the city in which I work. At least they have bandwidth utilizing cable. I think the upstream bw is somewhere around 500kb. Now if I can convince my IT guy to not tell the powers that be (they wouldn't understand anyway - they still live in the pre-PC days and as long as it's not porn going out, I don't think they would care). Wish me luck and to the rest of our readers - stay away from Hughes if you can.