Broadcom CLI
Contents
Routers using Broadcom chipsets
Broadcom chipsets are widely used in ADSL routers, and most incorporate a very similar CLI command set, accessed through its telnet interface. It should be noted though that a number of ISP customised versions of these routers have the telnet interface disabled. This is an incomplete list of routers which have Broadcom chipsets and support telnet:
BCM 6328 chipset
- Billion 7700(N)
BCM 6338 chipset
- D-Link DSL-2540B, DSL-2542B
- Thomson/Speedtouch ST536, ST546, TG585v7
BCM 6348 chipset
- Netgear DG834GT, DG834v4, DG834Gv4, DG834PN, DGN2000
- D-Link DSL-2640B
- Thomson/Speedtouch ST585
BCM 6358 chipset
- Billion 7800(N)
- D-Link DSL-2740B
- Netgear DG834N, DGN2200
BCM 6368 chipset
CLI commands for Broadcom-based routers
All Broadcom-based ADSL routers have very similar CLI command sets. Listed below are a few of the more frequently used commands. In most cases, the CLI can be accessed via the telnet interface.
Note regarding Netgear routers
Netgear routers use a slightly modified version of the Broadcom CLI command set. The command which is used most often is 'adsl' with various parameters, but in Netgear routers this command is replaced by 'adslctl'. On this page we will use 'adsl', but Netgear users will need to substitute 'adslctl'.
help command
- help - gives a list of the available commands
- one of those commands with no parameters - gives a synopsis of the usage of that command
adsl command
- adsl info --show - displays a brief set of router stats
- adsl info --stats - displays a full set of router stats including error rates over various periods
- adsl info --SNR - displays the current SNR for each ADSL tone
- adsl info --Bits - displays the bitloading for each ADSL tone
- adsl configure --snr N - sets the target signal to noise ratio margin to a new value and triggers a re-sync. The value of N determines by how much the target SNRM changes from the default value set at the DSLAM (or MSAN). The following graph gives some approximate values:
Although this graph shows some negative values of N, it's not possible to enter negative values directly in the command. However it's possible to produce the same result by entering very large positive values. To do this, subtract the negative value from 65536; e.g. to simulate the effect of a value of -50, enter 65536 - 50 = 65486.
Warning
Be careful when making changes to the target SNRM, in particular when reducing it. The smaller the SNRM, the less stable the router is likely to be and if you make it too small the router may not be able to make a connection at all.
--Roseway 08:20, 10 October 2012 (GMT)