topic Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem in My Router

Hub2 as a dumb modem

RichDee — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 17:11:39 GMT

Running a new Mesh system for the house using a Tenda MW12 5 unit system, would like the HUB Two to just be a straight broadband modem only, allowing the Tenda to deal with DHCP. What is the best way to configure the HUB Two to be a simple dumb device please, allowing the Mesh system to deal with DHCP please?

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

Dan_the_Van — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 08:32:31 GMT

Hi @RichDee welcome to the forum

I was recently reading the online help for the Hub Two and it reads about the light being Pink.

The instructions to turn it off would be (take from the support video script).

From the hub homepage, accessed via going to 192.168.1.254 on a browser.

On the home page select the “Advanced settings” box in the bottom right.
Then "Broadband" in the top left.
The scroll down to the very bottom of the page and unselect the “Bridge mode” check box.

So to turn on it must to Select "Bridge Mode"

I am not saying this will work as I've do not have the device but it is worth a try.

The good news for all it is if the Hub Two does work as a modem for users like you who want to create a network mesh or use a more configurable 3rd party router..

Let us know how it goes.

Dan.

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

MisterW — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 09:08:26 GMT

@RichDee @Dan_the_Van is correct, there is bridge mode option on the hub2. I've just checked on mine and the option is there. I've not been able to check if it works though

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

bobpullen — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:23:53 GMT

@RichDee - assuming the Tenda device can manage the PPPoE connection, then you would need to configure it to do so/enter your broadband username/password etc, and then connect the WAN port of the primary node to an available LAN port on the Hub Two after it has been switched to bridge mode.

Note that once in bridge mode, the Hub Two will be difficult to access/manage without setting IP addresses/gateway etc. statically on the device/client you are connecting to it. Another option if you need to get it back is to factory reset.

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

Bazarooney — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 14:20:23 GMT

I have the Hub1 running in bridge mode with an ASUS mesh and it is working fine. I recently re contracted and got the new Hub2 but am reluctant to use it unless there are any advantages to using it compared to the `Hub1 which as I said us working fine. Any thoughts?

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

Baldrick1 — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 14:58:32 GMT

@Bazarooney

I don’t know how you are using your Hub One but it’s NOT as a bridge modem. It hasn’t got this functionality.

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

RealAleMadrid — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 15:42:17 GMT

@Bazarooney The Hub2 can be put into Bridge modem mode so it will do the job properly, the Hub1 is not acting as a stand alone modem so you are probably in a double NAT situation which is not recommended, but this seems to be working for you.

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

Bazarooney — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 10:23:40 GMT

Thanks for the advice. You are correct I have not been using the hub1 in bridge mode but as an access point, not used to the terminology. Will have a go out setting the Hub2 in bridge mode on Sunday. My wife is just finishing writing her latest book and would not take kindly to using internet access😳 Can anyone point me to a guide how to connect my ASUS mesh system to the Hub2 and indeed how to set the Hub2 in bridge mode ?

thanks again for your support

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

Baldrick1 — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 12:44:51 GMT

@Bazarooney

To get the terminology right you have not been using the hub in access point mode either. You should have set the mesh unit as an access point, if you haven’t you are double NATing.

The instructions for setting a Hub Two have been given to you in post #2 https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/Hub2-as-a-dumb-modem/m-p/1846290#M29863.

You then need to connect it using one of the LAN sockets to the WAN input of your mesh and using PPPoE enter your Plusnet username and password to the mesh settings. To do this read your mesh manual.

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

briston — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 14:06:34 GMT

Are you sure you have a hub1 in bridge mode. Certainly you can turn off the WiFi but when I then connected it to my mesh I found I was subject NAT 'd. Eventually I ditched the hub1 and got an old BT modem to connect my mesh to. Just got a hub 2 as I understand that will operate in true bridge mode

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

Baldrick1 — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 14:25:48 GMT

@briston

Keep up at the back there https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/Hub2-as-a-dumb-modem/m-p/1855065#M30745

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

Bazarooney — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 14:31:17 GMT

Yes not so much dumb modem as dumb poster🤒

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

SeanM1 — Sun, 06 Feb 2022 19:05:14 GMT

Hi - I've just received my Hub2 awaiting upgrade to Fibre. I currently use a separate modem and router such that I can get reasonable Wifi in the main part of house. I'm looking to replace the current Dlink-320 modem (192.168.1.1) with the Hub (in Bridge mode).

The Hub 2 work fine connects to internet OK and I can address it via direct RJ45 cable as 192.168.1.254 and switch it to Bridge mode. I then need to change the setup on my Router (D-Link 868 - 192.168.0.1) to issue the PPPoE data - username + PW.

When I do this I can make no further contact with the Hub2 - and of course I have no internet.

The Dlink devices function with the Router using a DHCP connection to the modem and the Modem records the router in its DHCP table.

The problem seems to be addressing the Hub2 IP address - I've tried plugging the Hub via RJ45 connection into the back of my D-Linking 868 router and Pinging it - its not registered any connection - I'm a little mystified?

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

bobpullen — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 07:14:31 GMT

The Hub Two is behaving as I would expect it to in bridge mode. You have disabled routing functionality and are literally using it as a modem. As such, you would not expect to be able to able to easily address it via IP.

If you must, then it's likely only going to be possible by connecting a device directly to one of the Hub Two's LAN ports (1, 2 or 3) via ethernet and manually configuring the network adapter of the connected device with a local IP in the 192.168.1.0/16 range and the gateway address 192.168.1.254.

Regarding lack of Internet access, you don't explain how the 868 is wired to the Hub Two? An ethernet cable would need connecting from the WAN port of the 868, to one of the first three LAN ports on the Hub Two. Is this what you have done?

On a final note, have you actually tried using the Hub Two by itself and seeing how the Wi-Fi performs? I have a strong suspicion it is a more capable device compared to the 868.

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

SeanM1 — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 13:00:14 GMT

Thanks for your prompt reply.

Reasons for needing this setup are physical - its an old Victorian House - Master socket is on the First floor of the rear offshoot.

Lots of corridors, stairs and thick walls before Wifi makes it down stairs.

Current setup uses the D320 modem RJ45 plugged into a powerline adapter = down to similar adapter in living room - them RJ45 to WAN input on D868 Router. This has provided reliable service for many years and the router should still be amply fast for the level of Fibre service I'm switching to (40G). Previous Plusnet router would never provide the coverage - HUB2 may be better but the physical obstacles are still there.

I simply connected one of the Lan ports of the Hub2 to the powerline adaptors and assumed I'd be able to reach it in the usual manner. So far no joy.

The problem will relate to telling the D868 where to look (default gateway etc.) but this didn't appear to conventional in terms of the setup menu and eitherway I think I ought to be able to ping the Hub2 if I'm ever going to reach it. Will have another look tonight

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

bobpullen — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 13:46:16 GMT

Thanks for the detail.

In theory, it should just be a case of replacing the D320 like for like, ensuring you are *not* using LAN port 4 on the Hub Two (port 4 is a WAN port).

When the Hub Two is connected to the telephone line, are you getting a solid pink LED when in bridge mode?

Aren't you already using PPPoE with the ADSL service? Bit confused that you've alluded to the fact that you need to change something here, or does it have a PPPoA option too?

I'll reserve judgement on the fact that you're routing the WAN link over a Powerline circuit

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

MisterW — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 13:50:32 GMT

The problem will relate to telling the D868 where to look (default gateway etc.)

You dont need to , just configure the D868 WAN for PPPoE with your Plusnet username and password. It will make the PPPoE connection THROUGH the Hub 2 when its in bridge mode.

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

SeanM1 — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 21:13:34 GMT

Thanks again for your reply.

No joy I'm afraid - but I think you are correct about the need to replace the D320 with like for like - I think the problem may be that the Hub2 can't mimic this.

Closing out a few loose ends first - the Hub2 does have a solid PINK light in bridge mode - and I am using LAN Port 1 not the WAN Port. I did set the HUB2 up with the normal functionality and checked the signal strength downstairs - it dropped from -25dBm to -70dBm - which is similar to the original issues. So I need a local Router downstairs - I also need range extenders with this to cover the back of the house anyway.

I think I need clarify a couple of things on the original setup as my technical descriptions may be slightly out - firstly the D320L is a Modem/Router - its connected to the Master socket - and is setup to contain the PPPoE connection data. It has an IP address of 192.168.1.1 and the DHCP mode is DISABLED. This plugs into my powerline connection and then ultimately into the WAN input on the D868 Wireless Router downstairs.

The D868 is setup with an IP address of 192.168.0.1 and has the DHCP server function enabled (its a "host"?).

The Internet access on the D868 router is setup via a wizard function and takes the Internet connection type as Dynamic IP (DCHP) - the connection (WAN) status when functioning is described as DHCP Client and the default gateway is picked up as 192.168.1.1 ie. the D320!

To attempt to make the HUB2 work - i switched the Internet connection type of the D868 to PPPoe and provided the setup data (user/PW). The Hub2 was setup in bridge mode.

The connection status on the D868 was described as "busy" but not "connected" - it appears on switching to Bridge Mode their is no IP address carried any more on the HUB2? So i doesn't appear able to find or establish a default gateway.

I did also try mimicking the D320 setup using the HUB2 in unbridged mode but switching off the DHCP function - then switching the D868 back to Internet function to "Dynamic IP" in the hope that it would find the device in the same way as the D320 - however no joy.

Gave up - plugged the D320 back in and all works again.

The D320 is limited to 24G so I still need a VDSL capable solution - would appreciate any assistance

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

Dan_the_Van — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 08:13:47 GMT

@SeanM1

You currently have back to back routers on your network, which results in double NAT.

Please take a read of https://www.purevpn.com/blog/double-nat/ it has some usefully tips.

By turning off DHCP off on the Hub Two and using Dynamic IP allocation for your hub denies it from getting a IP Address from the Hub Two. You could assign a Static IP address of 192.168.1.1 mask 255.255.255.0 and gateway address 192.168.1.254 or turn the Hub Two DHCP back on. This will still give you Double NAT

When configure the Hub Two in bridge mode it will NOT be the default gateway it is a modem only, it is just handling the PPPoE connection, it is bypassing the router functions of the Hub Two.

Hopefully where you set Dynamic IP on the router there is an option for PPPoE? In principle by setting up PPPoE here should resolve your issue with the Hub Two in modem mode.

My TP-Link has these options

If this option does not exist then you need to buy a router which supports it.

HTH

Dan

Re: Hub2 as a dumb modem

SeanM1 — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 21:24:43 GMT

Hi - Thanks for the advice. I'm sure you are correct about double NAT etc. - but I think the problem is a bit more fundamental.

The current setup has the D320 Modem/router plugged into the Master socket and a D868 Wireless router connected to this via powerlines. Both devices are set in DHCP mode - the D868 - picks up the Internet source via a simplistic menu dropdown box offering Dynamic/Static IP/PPPoE etc.etc - but fundamentally NOT PPPoA - I checked my original Plusnet instructions (and the setup on the D320) and this requires PPPoA - so if I set the Hub2 in bridge mode (as per Plusnet's suggestion) the D868 will never work as it has no facilities for PPPoA (I'd missed this distinction and was using PPPoE option!). I believe when the line switches over to Fibre - it will also switch to PPPoE so bridge mode might be possible!

To cut a long story short - put the Hub2 in DHCP mode - put the D868 WAN back in Dynamic DHCP connection type - and all is fully functional.

I might well suffer from double NAT for the time being but when the line switches over next week it should switch seamlessly and I will have the option for a proper setup once the change has occurred.

Thanks for your help - got there eventually and learned a little on the way