topic Re: Using Hub One as a modem only? in My Router

Using Hub One as a modem only?

NickR — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 14:51:50 GMT

I'm planning to upgrade Hub One with a new router without a built-in modem. Is my best plan to configure the Hub One as a modem only (and if so how?) or to use a new separate modem instead? Thanks.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

Mustrum — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 14:57:53 GMT

Use a separate modem, you can't configure the Hub 1 as modem only.

However there are other ways depending on what you are trying to achieve.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

dvorak — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 14:58:05 GMT

You can't configure the hub one as a modem only, you'd need a separate modem.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

dvorak — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 15:00:31 GMT

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Fibre to My Router

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

mikelahey — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 15:23:31 GMT

As others have said, you can't because the Plusnet firmware doesn't support bridge mode.

Your options are:

Either to buy a combined VDSL modem router

Buy a second hand HG612 Modem from a well known auction site, should cost £15-20 including P&P, you should also make sure it is a revision 3B as earlier version had issues with overheating.

Buy a Draytek Vigor 130 VDSL modem or similar model (about £80 new, may be able to get cheaper second hand).

Stick with the hub one.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

NickR — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 17:44:25 GMT

Many thanks for the quick replies. I'll look into getting a separate modem then. I've been led to believe that this is a better option than buying a replacement modem / router combination. Would you agree?

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

Mustrum — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 11:22:42 GMT

From my point of view no. Unless you can get meaningful information from it.

An advantage of the Hub 1 is the diagnostic information you can get from the Help Desk page, unless you get an unlocked Openreach modem all you will have done is get an extra box and so need another mains socket and gives you no information to help diagnose any issues you may have.

A decent combined device will give you better wi fi performance, and meaningful information to help diagnose any DSL issues you might get.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

brookheather — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 14:45:38 GMT

I disagree with the above - I much prefer a separate modem and router - I can access all the required DSL stats on my Vigor 130 modem just by going to its IP address and I can change settings (requiring a reboot) on my Asus router without upsetting DLM as the modem stays connected.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

NickR — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 15:57:13 GMT

Hmm, thanks for the contradictory opinions! The more you research this sort of thing the more complicated it gets and the less easy it is to come to a conclusion. I've now become aware of Mesh systems such as Google Wifi - worth considering?

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

Mustrum — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 23:26:10 GMT

@NickR It is not really contradictory, @brookheather and I both agree that getting useful information about what is going on with your line is important and very useful. Space is more important to me, hence a one box solution, but being able to get information about the line is invaluable.

Alas many people overlook that side of internet connections and just try for improved Wi-Fi - but these days so many home devices need the internet, optimising your home often demands multiple solutions.

For example, my master socket is in the kitchen, and so I have created a small comms cabinet to hide away the router and NAS which I want to be ethernet connected. From there I have used powerline plugs to give ethernet connectivity to the lounge and to a small switch which then connects the TV/streaming player/Blu Ray, and then Wi-Fi for my laptop/phone/tablet.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

beetnik — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 23:53:48 GMT

It's a little unclear to me what you're trying to achieve but you could add a mesh system in AP mode leaving the Hub One with WiFi turned off. That way you get the benefit of the mesh and you're still connected using Plusnet's kit which is useful if you need support.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

NickR — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 12:36:16 GMT

@beetnik wrote:

It's a little unclear to me what you're trying to achieve

I think I'm guilty of 'just trying to improve wi-fi' as Mustrum says, but sadly without the technical knowledge that others clearly have. I'm now a bit confused, because I understood from earlier replies that I couldn't use the Hub One as a modem only because it doesn't support bridge mode, but doesn't turning off wi-fi come to the same thing? I assume this is done by disabling the wireless network in Advanced Settings? Ignoring mesh for a moment, could I do this and then connect a new router (without modem) to achieve an improved wi-fi experience?

Moderator's note by Dick (Strat): Quote fixed.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

Baldrick1 — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:19:36 GMT

In simple terms if you could (which you can't) use the Hub One in bridge mode you would connect the Hub One to the router via the red WAN socket and enter your Plusnet sign on details into the router, not the Hub One.

The alternative is to leave the Hub One as it is except fot turning off the wifi. You then set up your router (or mesh devices) in Access Mode, rather than router mode and connect it to one of the yellow Hub One LAN sockets. If you read the manual for your preferred second device you should find the settings.

I hear the comments about how useful it is to be able to check WAN statistics at the modem but it's not something you need to do unless you are having problems. I keep an unlocked Huawei 612 plus an Asus router configured as an access point in case I need to look at stats. For everyday I use a BT Smarthub 6, which I bought off Ebay for less than £20 and find that the wifi performance is more than adequate.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

beetnik — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:43:00 GMT

In a word, yes; this is the setup I have.

Plusnet Hub One with WiFi turned off. Netgear Orbi Router + one satellite in AP mode. Humax YouView+ box hard wired to the Plusnet Hub One.

I get 60+Mb/s consistently throughout a good sized, old, 4 bed detached house with engineering brick walls, something the Plusnet Hub One Wifi is distinctly incapable of! Same in the garden (and guest network for next door when their line was faulty).

I've kept the Hub One as part of the setup as I've not found a way to route IPTV directly through it which gives acceptable results with the Plusnet Humax box.

I can thoroughly recommend the Orbi kit - it's excellent. £40 cheaper than anywhere else at Costco if you have membership.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

NickR — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 18:13:01 GMT

Many thanks to everyone for the help. In case anyone is interested, I've ended up with a Netgear Nighthawk router connected to the Hub One - wi-fi switched off on this. I haven't done anything about Access Point mode (not sure why / if I need this?), but it all seems to be working fine - much improved speed and range.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

Raadghast — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 17:24:24 GMT

Hi

I’d be interested in a few more details on how you’ve connected the new router to the hub one please . I’m finding Hub one awful for WiFi distance and definitely need to do something before my daughter throws it out the window!
Many thanks

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

NickR — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 18:31:02 GMT

Raadghast: Yes, I had trouble with the Hub One's range and as I added more wi-fi enabled devices, it became increasingly difficult to get fast reliable connections sometimes. Adding the Nighthawk has completely sorted things out - an expensive solution, but worth it for the extra speed alone!

All I did was connect an ethernet port on the Hub One to the Internet port on the Nighthawk and switch off wi-fi on the Hub One. There is an app you can download for the router which made setup pretty straightforward and you can also download a full pdf manual. I'm no expert on this sort of thing, but if you need any more info, I'll try to help.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

Baldrick1 — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 16:28:11 GMT

@Raadghast

I have no idea how @NickR has connected his router as he hasn't specified the model. I suspect that he has a straight router, the Netgear part number of these is prefixed R. These do not contain a modem and hence the need to use the Hub One. If you are set on buying a Netgear device they also do effectively have the same range but incorporating a modem. These are prefixed D. If you use one of these you do not need to use the Plusnet Hub One.

However before spending money it might be worth just looking at the Hub One settings, whilst the WiFi performance of these is not in the first league it's not that awful. The first thing to try is to separate the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. For some reason these are synchronised by default and can cause all sorts of issues. To separate them see here https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/2-4ghz-and-or-5ghz-best-practice/m-p/1351966#M840. By 'point browser to 192.168.1.254', what is meant by 'point browser' is put 192.168.1.254 into the address field (not the search field) on your internet browser. Once you have done this you will have two WiFi networks showing on your devices (assuming your device has a 5GHz band, not all have). Try connecting to each in turn and use the best.

Another thing to try is changing the wireless channel. I use the free app WIfi Analyser on an Android phone. With this you can see both your and your neighbours' WiFi transmissions. If you check at both the router location and where you use your devices you can see which has the lowest transmissions from neighbours. If necessary again go back into the router advanced WiFi settings and manually set the channel to the quietest, rather than leave the setting on auto.

In terms of buying another router, I recommend getting a BT Smarthub 6 from Ebay where they go for around £20. They are cheap, have better WiFi than the Hub One and are easily set up on a Plusnet account, see https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/Using-the-BT-Smarthub-6-on-a-Plusnet-Account/m-p/1587673#M8557

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

NickR — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 16:48:46 GMT

For info, I have the Nighthawk AX8 / AX6000, model no. RAX80, which was admittedly rather more than £20! I had already separated out 2.4 and 5 GHz channels on the Hub One and experimented with changing channels, neither of which has been necessary with the Nighthawk. It just instantly gave me faster and more reliable wi-fi.

Re: Using Hub One as a modem only?

Baldrick1 — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 17:38:07 GMT

After looking up the price, Ouch! I would expect it to have better wireless performance. I suspect that you did not need to separate the bands because that is the default condition for most routers. Most people will not need to spend this sort of money, I thought that mesh systems were too expensive when there's cheaper options!