Adding another Router with HUb 2 in Bridge Mode

[#1]

I currently use a Hub 2, but I want some additional features, in particular a Guest network so I do not have to share my WiFi password with anyone passing through.

I am thinking of getting the TP-Link Archer AXE75 using my Hub 2 in Bridge mode. I would like to check exactly what I need to do to get a trouble free switch over. I have PN “Fiber” although it comes to the house via copper phone line. This is plugged into the Broadband port on the Hub 2.

Please check that the following should work OK

• Change my Hub 2 to Bridge Mode in Advanced settings (At this point I loose all internet access and WiFi, yikes!)

• Plug a LAN port of my Hub2 into the WAN port of the AXE75

• Plug my PC via ethernet into the AXE75

• Access the AXE75 Admin by entering 152.168.1.254 (or perhaps something else as advised)

• Set up my PN access by entering my username & password to make a PPPoE connection

All good?

If something goes wrong and I need to back out how do I access the Hub 2 Admin settings to turn off bridge mode? By this point it is just a dumb modem it seems.

[#2]

@Noj 

PN have always been happy for customers to use their own equipment You may not need the Hub2 at all.

Brian

[#3 · Accepted solution]

@Noj   Welcome to the Plusnet Community Fora.

That should work. Note that the VLAN setting should be left blank or set to none.

To fully reset the Hub 2 to the configuration when you first received it, simply push a paperclip or similar in the reset hole and hold the switch closed until you get a green light.

[#4]

@Noj 

Your switch to the TP-Link router looks good to me

The AXE75 is likely going to be either 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 but with DHCP enabled your PC should connect to either with no issues.

On first switch on the router will take you through the setup process, you'll be prompted to setup, time zone, PPPoE connection username/password, WiFi settings

The AXE75 default is no VLAN so there should be no worry about that.

TP-Link provide a Tethering App which allows the first time setup from a smartphone

The broadband username is in the format yourusername@plusdsl.net, the password is the same as used for the members centre.

EDIT: You can setup the router without the need for it to being connected to a modem.

[#5]

As well as the other options, another is to put the AXE75 into access point (AP) mode. That will disable its router bits and leave the Hub 2 in charge of the router stuff. However, as an AP the AXE75 loses features that may be important to you.

A fancier, and slightly more complicated option, is to delve into the Hub 2 and set its "DMZ" as the IP address on the network for your AXE75. You should also give the Hub 2 an IP address that doesn't clash with the one you want for the AXE75.

One advantage of this arrangements is that you have browser access to the IP addresses for both the Hub 2 and AXE75.

I said it was a bit more complicated, but if you have the misfortune to use one of BT's Hubs, modem only (bridge) mode is not an option.

[#6]

A fancier, and slightly more complicated option, is to delve into the Hub 2 and set its "DMZ" as the IP address on the network for your AXE75. You should also give the Hub 2 an IP address that doesn't clash with the one you want for the AXE75.

One advantage of this arrangements is that you have browser access to the IP addresses for both the Hub 2 and AXE75.

This will result in two routers back to back which will introduce double NAT which should be avoided.

I had no issues with the Hub two in bridge mode.

[#7]

Thanks, but I may go for a simpler implementation to start with. Perhaps this could be a project for the winter.

[#8]

"a simpler implementation to start with"

@Noj 

you will find using the Hub two in bridge mode is the simpler best implementation,

EDIT: anything else adds unnecessary complications

[#9]

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@Dan_the_Van wrote:

This will result in two routers back to back which will introduce double NAT which should be avoided.

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No. Give it a whirl. Could be an education.

The key is to give the Hub 2 an IP address that goes nowhere near the IP address of the AXE75.

My hub gateway IP address is http://192.168.2.1.

The Hub assigned http://192.168.2.220 to the second router.

Use that as the DMZ address in the Hub. You can avoid the warnings like:

"Only one device, with either a static or a private DHCP address, can be placed into the DMZ. The Hub will give it a private IP address and forward all appropriate traffic to this device."

You can then assign http://192.168.1.1 as the second router's IP address.

In this way I can leave all those http://192.168.1.X reserved and fixed addresses on the router.

No clashes; no double-NAT. 

This is a recognised way of getting two routers to work side by side without any interference and to maintain control over both routers.

I like it because I can access both http://192.168.1.1 and http://192.168.2.1 from a browser.

I have run like that for a long time with a Netgear Mesh system. Forced on me by BT's Hub.

Try it and you might be surprised.

[#10]

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@Noj wrote:

Thanks, but I may go for a simpler implementation to start with. Perhaps this could be a project for the winter.

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Start with AP mode and see how it pans out. Dead simple.

[#11]

@mrjkenward 

I do not need educating thank you I am very network aware. It has been something I have used in the past.

I am not saying it doesn't work but the mechanics behind what you are doing needs to be understood.

Some reading  What is double nat and Does a router being in another router DMZ cause double nat 

For the Hub two in 'Bridge Mode' it functions as a modem only device. (Router, NAT, DHCP server, WiFi and Local DNS are off)

So any 3rd party router can be connected to one of the LAN ports with no fear of double NAT.

[#12]

I always recommend repurposing a router as a wireless point because…

• It’s sustainable and cheap/free - a good use of unused kit
• Its easy to configure - plenty of how to do it guides
• Being wired you get better performance than wireless backhaul alternatives 
• You get spare wired ports
• It can overcome restrictions such as separate SSIDs for different bands or a guest wireless point

[#13]

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@Dan_the_Van wrote:

For the Hub two in 'Bridge Mode' it functions as a modem only device. (Router, NAT, DHCP server, WiFi and Local DNS are off)

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This is not always possible.

How to Use Your Router and ISP’s Modem/Router Combo In Tandem

[#14]

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@spile wrote:

I always recommend repurposing a router as a wireless point because…

• It’s sustainable and cheap/free - a good use of unused kit
• Its easy to configure - plenty of how to do it guides
• Being wired you get better performance than wireless backhaul alternatives 
• You get spare wired ports
• It can overcome restrictions such as separate SSIDs for different bands or a guest wireless point

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Ideally that's the way to do it. But some fancy routers can come with extra services that do not work in AP mode.

For example, it disables some parental controls and security applications.

Here's what Netgear says on the subject:

Disabled Features on the Router when set to AP Mode | Answer | NETGEAR Support

Most of those won't affect most people. But it helps to bear that in mind.

[#15]

Ideally that's the way to do it. But some fancy routers can come with extra services that do not work in AP mode.

I don’t see the issue as all of those functions are done through the primary router not the repurposed router?