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Stupid question about using own router

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gilgong
Hooked
Posts: 5
Registered: ‎28-07-2020

Stupid question about using own router

I'm thinking of moving from Virgin fibre to Plusnet fibre and using my own router running openWRT. 

With Plusnet fibre, how do I physically connect the router to Plusnet's network? Do they they install an RJ45 socket, a coax plug? What? I see it's PPPoE after that though.

The reason I ask is that I've not bought the router yet. I've been using Virgin's router (which connects to a coax plug) in modem mode with a Ubiquiti AP which I intend to keep using with Plusnet.

 

 

 

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Alex
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Re: Stupid question about using own router

Welcome to the forums @gilgong 

PlusNet will activate your account on your master socket. So that'll be RJ45.

Your Virgin Media, (or as I like to call them Branson Media) router won't be usable. I think so, though I haven't looked any coverters up (if they even exist).

As long as you have a working phone master socket, PlusNet will send you a new router and it should be a case of just plugging it in.

gilgong
Hooked
Posts: 5
Registered: ‎28-07-2020

Re: Stupid question about using own router

Thanks - I see. Hm. We don't have a phone master socket because we don't have a phone line. Well, we used to but that was about 10 years ago I think.

So I take it this will mean BT will have to install a line and that's going to cost loads of money and I'll have to buy one of those PPPoE converter boxes to get an Ethernet connection to plug the router into.

At least on the upside that will mean our Virgin connection could run in parallel with Plusnet until we need to get rid of it.

Why is nothing ever simple?

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dvorak
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Re: Stupid question about using own router


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This topic has been moved from Fibre to My Router

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MisterW
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Re: Stupid question about using own router

Fix

So I take it this will mean BT will have to install a line and that's going to cost loads of money and I'll have to buy one of those PPPoE converter boxes to get an Ethernet connection to plug the router into.

I believe the new line install cost is £49.99. PlusNet will supply a modem/router which plugs directly into the master socket, for the cost of postage ( £6.99). If you wish to continue using your Ubiquiti AP then you will need a VDSL capable modem to connect between the master socket and the Ubiquiti.

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gilgong
Hooked
Posts: 5
Registered: ‎28-07-2020

Re: Stupid question about using own router

Thanks - £50 isn't too bad I suppose. I think I should be able to use one of these in modem/pass-through mode to one of these running OpenWRT (not that I have to run a Ubiquiti thing but it just happens to be OpenWRT compatible and it's cheap).

 

 

MisterW
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Re: Stupid question about using own router

Yes, the W9970 will work in modem(bridge) mode, I use one myself. It just looks awful!

There's also the option of a used BT Openreach modem , Huawei HG612 from a well known auction site.

There was a thread on here listing all the possibilities for vdsl modems but I can't seem to find it at the moment

 

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gilgong
Hooked
Posts: 5
Registered: ‎28-07-2020

Re: Stupid question about using own router

I'd like to install OpenWRT on the router (for ... reasons), and it looks like the Huawei HG612 isn't supported for that.  But I'll see if I can find the thread as maybe that'll throw up some more options. 

 

RealAleMadrid
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Re: Stupid question about using own router

@gilgong  The HG612 would be running as a modem in bridge mode so it has no need for OpenWRT support, surely OpenWRT is the router operating system which uses a PPPoE connection to the modem.

gilgong
Hooked
Posts: 5
Registered: ‎28-07-2020

Re: Stupid question about using own router

Ah, right, sorry. Yes - the HG612 might be a better bet than the TD-W9970 (if for no better reason than it looks nicer!)