topic Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

Mart1824 — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 15:29:58 GMT

Just bought 2 eero pro 6 devices to improve the WiFi on our house. At home we have no mobile phone or data signal. Therefore when I follow the set up it directs me to put the Hub 2 into bridge mode which of course disconnects the internet. I have got it working by connecting the gateway eero to the Hub 2 by ethernet with a double NAT. When I try and connect via PPPOE, I enter my username and password and then save but I am not offered the option to "apply". Is this a chance I have put incorrect details on?
If so once I put the right ones in hopefully, then should I be able to connect the gateway eero directly to the ONT?

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

MisterW — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 15:46:29 GMT

@Mart1824 The PPPoE credentials you require are :-

Username - <youraccountname>@plusdsl.net

Password - the password you use to access the member centre at https://www.plus.net/member-centre/login

Therefore when I follow the set up it directs me to put the Hub 2 into bridge mode which of course disconnects the internet.

Bridge mode is ONLY for use in an FTTC situation. You refer to an ONT which implies you have FTTP , in which case the Eero should be connected directly to the ONT

Setup guide for PPPoE on the Eero is here https://support.eero.com/hc/en-us/articles/5382599417371-PPPoE-Setup-Instructions

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

Mart1824 — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 16:07:10 GMT

Thanks for the rapid response but in the set up process it detects I have not got mobile data signal so tells me to plug the eero gateway onto the hub 2 via ethernet. I tried plugging directly into the ONT but it fails to connect .
whilst following the connection guide!

100% entering correct details for PPPOE. Does not accept them and reverts back to DCHP!

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

MisterW — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 16:11:47 GMT

Have you tried the instructions in the last para

3) If you’re currently using eero in bridge mode with a 3rd party router, you will need to first switch eero to Automatic mode through the eero App under Settings > Network Settings > DHCP & NAT. Once that is completed, you can follow the steps above to enable PPPoE. Once PPPoE is enabled on eero, you can then swap your router for your eero.

Failing that, factory reset the Eero and try setting up again without it connected to the ONT. AFAIK the initial connection from the App uses Bluetooth.

Failing that , I'm afraid its talk to Eero support...

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

Mart1824 — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 16:22:07 GMT

Thanks again. Definitely in auto mode and not bridge mode. I will try and plug the eero gateway into the ONT directly again using the supplied ethernet cable and not the WAN cable that goes into the HUB 2. It's the fact that I have no mobile data signal that [-Censored-]s up the set up!

It could possibly be that the original firmware on the eero gateway did not support PPPOE but once updated it might?

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

Mart1824 — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 17:39:07 GMT

Factory reset and plugged eero gateway directly into ONT. Connects and gets solid white light then fails to connect to internet. I then select PPPOE and enter isp login and password and hit apply nothing happens. The only way I have managed to get this to work is plugging the eero gateway into an ethernet port on the Hub 2. Can't wait for eero support on WiFi calling!

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

MisterW — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 17:40:25 GMT

I'd certainly try a firmware update with it connected via the Hub 2

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

RealAleMadrid — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 19:13:01 GMT

@Mart1824 The problems you are experiencing show the absolute stupidity that the manufacturers of Routers or whatever seem to require a mobile connection to run an app. It doesn't make sense, if you have limited mobile signal and no connection to the internet wifi calling is not going to help you. Why not allow the config to be set up from a local ethernet lan connection?

I guess these days everything has to have an App to be cool.😠

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

Mart1824 — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 19:43:36 GMT

I am beginning to think to that the openreach ONT box is currently linked/locked to the Plusnet Hub and therefore the ONT box needs resetting or power cycling to allow the eero gateway to connect to it directly. This is the only option I have not tried yet. I will try eero support in the morning.

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

RealAleMadrid — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 21:41:40 GMT

@Mart1824 The ONT has no knowledge of what it is connected to so cannot be locked to anything, it is just acting as an dumb connection between the incoming fibre and your internal router/lan. It would do no harm to power cycle it but probably wont make any difference. I think you will do well to get any sense from Eero support so best of luck.

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

MisterW — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 06:37:02 GMT

@Mart1824 I can absolutely confirm @RealAleMadrid s statement

The ONT has no knowledge of what it is connected to so cannot be locked to anything

I have had a number of different routers connected to my ONT including a Hub 2. I currently have a TPLink ER605 running OpenWrt connected.

As long as the router supports PPPoE properly andthe credentials are correct it will work.

NB if the Eero has a VLAN ID option, make sure it is disabled

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

Mart1824 — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:02:18 GMT

Well I finally sorted it. I emailed eero support and received no response. Rang them whilst at work and they were unable to help with set up as I was not at home but the confirmed ONT box needs to be switched off for 3 minutes before trying to set up the eero gateway.

I suspected my issue was due to lack of mobile data signal, so I followed the set up on the eero app whilst connected to the next doors WiFi. I switched to PPPOE mode and entered the Plusnet username and password and it both applied and saved them and then connected to the internet.

Speeds have definitely improved compared to running the eero gateway in double NAT mode connected to the Plusnet router.

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

MisterW — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:31:06 GMT

but the confirmed ONT box needs to be switched off for 3 minutes before trying to set up the eero gateway.

complete rubbish! if the eero wan port needs to be disconnected for 3 mins,then that's an eero issue, switching the ONT off is not neccessary

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

bradders100 — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 19:38:14 GMT

@MisterW just migrated to Plusnet today and need to create a mesh around the house AsAP to support office and gaming in different rooms. You mention using a TP link router, presumably you replaced your hub 2, but is it effective to add the mesh to the existing hub 2. I’m learning on the fly here so needs the simplest/quickest option. Thanks in advance

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

MisterW — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 19:49:55 GMT

@bradders100 mesh systems usually work best when providing both router and WiFi functionality.

If you have FTTP then just connect the mesh system directly to the ONT. If you have FTTP/SOGEA then switch the Hub 2 to bridge mode and connect the mesh to a lan port on the hub 2

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

bradders100 — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 20:49:56 GMT

@MisterW by that do you mean it’s generally preferred to have a mesh system which incorporates the router e.g same brand/product router as the hotspots?

apologies I’m not familiar with the ONT acronym, but I can confirm I have FTTP and the hub 2 router is connected to the open reach box.

thanks for help thus far

Re: Help setting up eero pro 6 mesh WiFi network

MisterW — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 07:44:03 GMT

@bradders100

apologies I’m not familiar with the ONT acronym

ONT (Optical network termination) - aka the Openreach box you refer to

You mention using a TP link router, presumably you replaced your hub 2,

I did, but note that the TP link router I referred to is not a mesh system, in fact it has no wifi at all, I use it for other reasons.

by that do you mean it’s generally preferred to have a mesh system which incorporates the router e.g same brand/product router as the hotspots?

All mesh systems (that I have come across) have the ability to act both as a router and as a wifi system. They can usually be operated in two modes

1) normal - Where the primary node is a router and makes the internet connection and interconnects with the slave nodes

2) Access point mode (sometimes confusingly called 'bridge' mode) where the system is connected via an ISP supplied router which makes the internet connection.

Mode 2) often restricts some of the functionality of the mesh system. Also when connected in this mode the wifi on the ISP router may interfere with the mesh system and so its advised to turn it off. So unless you need multiple wired ethernet connections where the router is positioned, then there's really no advantage in using it with a mesh system.

So to use a mesh system with an FTTP installation, its suggested that the primary node is connected directly to the ONT, and is configured for PPPoE with your PLusnet credentials to make the internet connection. Other nodes are then positioned and connected to provide the wifi mesh.

Hope that helps