Vyatta Solves Netflix AIP-701 Error

 


A few weeks ago my wife had an issue with Netflix giving her an "AIP-701" error code. It kept telling us any title that we tried to watch was unavailable try again later. My wife called Netflix, and they gave her the usual list of stuff to troubleshoot including rebooting everything, reinstalling the app  and even changing the DNS on our PS3 and router before finally telling her to call Sony because it was our PS3(surprise).

So while my wife was doing an Amazon Prime trial (which I find a little expensive) I decided I would trouble shoot it the Netflix problem. Below are the steps I tried and failed:

1. Rebooting devices (per Netflix instruction) --- FAILED
2. Reinstalled Netflix application (per Netflix instruction) --- FAILED
3. Changing PS3 DNS (per Netflix instruction) --- FAILED
4. Changing Wireless Bridge DNS (Linksys EA2700 -- per Netflix instruction) --- FAILED
5. Changing Vyatta DNS --- FAILED
6. Disabled Vyatta Firewall polices --- FAILED
7. Rolled back recent upgrade of Vyatta OS (VC6.6R1 back to VC6.5) --- FAILED --- updated back to 6.6R1
8. Cleared DNS cache on all devices --- FAILED
9. Tried Netflix on other devices --- FAILED

When I tried it on the other devices and it failed, that's when I realized it was something with the network or a network device and not just my PS3. Below are the steps I used that gave me results:

(1. Tested Netflix from my phone (external network --- Verizon) --- SUCCEEDED
(2. Tested Netflix from my laptop connected directly to my modem --- SUCCEEDED

At that point I realized it was something on my home network between the PS3 (and other devices) and the internet which there are only two physical hops (1 logical/routing); my wireless bridge and my Vyatta router. Next I tried the below with results:

(1. Tested Netflix from my laptop connected directly to one of my Vyatta router interfaces --- SUCCEEDED
(2. Tested Netflix from my laptop connected to my Cisco lab (bypasses Wireless bridge) --- SUCCEEDED

By this point, I pretty much narrowed it down to my wireless bridge. I tested again using wireless and wired connections to the bridge and it failed every time on multiple devices. So I tried to remedy the situation from the wireless bridge standpoint:

(1. Upgraded Linksys EA2700 firmware to latest --- FAILED (this new firmware was also very buggy)
(2. Rolled back firmware to previous --- FAILED

So the issue was not our PS3 nor any DNS settings. It was that Netflix's newest upgrade was not compatible with my wireless bridge's firmware, even after updating which left us in a bit of a dilemma. I have a plan to update my wireless but not now, and I certainly don't plan on doing it because of one application (Netflix) that we pay for that proper support and testing should have been extended for. 

So I added a spare Intel Gigabit NIC to my Vyatta build and set up a new small network (192.168.2.0/28) between my PS3 and my Vyatta Router and now Netflix works flawlessly directly connected to Vyatta, bypassing the Linksys bridge. 

SUMMARY:

1. I saw that there are various UNSOLVED threads on this issue. I would advise people to check there Wireless equipment firmware and try bypassing the device (directly connecting to Modem) if possible to test. I know for some this may be difficult because some may be entirely dependent of a wireless router for internet access or maybe you have a wireless router/modem combo device.
2. The state of American customer service and service providers is at an all-time low and sinking. "Point the Finger" is the motto. It's not just Netflix either; I deal with service providers (ISPs) at work all day and the issue is always on "the customer side of the demarc".    
3. I will not be purchasing any more Linksys equipment. This whole thing actually made me realize how well it DOES NOT work even though this was mostly Netflix's fault. When I upgraded the firmware, it started having some serious isolated issues of its own, which is why I rolled back. Cisco really dropped the ball on Linksys, which is probably why they sold it to Belkin. The next home wireless solution will either be intergrated with my Vyatta router OR an ASUS wireless device, and in my opinion and according to customer opinion, ASUS is excelling in a lot of things right now for private use. Even my Vyatta motherboard is ASUS.