Switch to Fibre but not using Hub Two?

[#1]

Hi all,

So I currently have broadband running via a Netgear Orbi router and mesh wifi through the house. This is connected to a BT DSL modem. If I switch to fibre, I want to keep the Orbi router as the Hub Two doesn't offer the same level of features and functions that the Orbi does (no guest network, no splitting of the 2.4 and 5ghz channels, etc.).

Does anyone know if I can run the Hub Two as dumb connection - or do I just need to find an alternative to the BT modem?

Thanks!
DJ

[#2]

I think (but don't "know") it can work assuming the router has a WAN port and is capable of logging in to Plusnet account - I think this is via PPPoE protocol.

[#3 · Accepted solution]

@DJehan If you switch to Full Fibre, you don't need the Hub2 at all, you just need to set up your PN credentials in the Orbi to create the PPOE connection and connect THAT to the ONT which will be installed, as that will act as the modem.

[#4]

@DJehan  is it Full Fibre (FTTP) or Fibre (SoGEA, which is really FTTC with no phone) ?

For FTTP , you don't need the Hub 2 at all, you can connect the Orbi straight to the ONT (effectively a Fibre modem)

For SoGEA , the Hub 2 can be set to 'bridge' mode which effectively acts like the BT DSL modem you currently have

edit: I type too slowly...

[#5]

Thank you all so much for your responses!

What a helpful community! 😀

[#6]

Quicker answers have already been put in, but you can also do what you describe as a "dumb" hub2. I have a Hub2 but our house is made of proper bricks, and the signal, although better than Hub1, really doesn't reach the whole house. (It's not a mansion, just a 1935 semi and my neighbour has 3 very strong signals from his mesh system that tend to "swamp" our Wifi signals.)

I connected my old Netgear router directly to the Hub2 with an ethernet cable, and the Netgear is screwed to the sloping bit under the stairs. It is set up as an Access Point / repeater, so it just routes everything to the Hub2, except for having its own password. It might even be more secure for that reason. The Hub2 still works as normal, no changing of settings, in fact, the TV is nearest device to it and works fine.

When I say "old" Netgear, it's only 5 years old, it's got a 1.9 gigabit throughput, so it will still cope when I upgrade to faster fibre.

[#7]

@DJehan  You have been given some advice but you have not clarified what service you are currently on and what your upgrade path might be.  I could assume that as you using a separate modem (probably an Openreach VDSL2 device) you are already on an FTTC connection (Fibre to the Cabinet).

If you change to Full Fibre (FTTP) you could keep your existing network arrangement and connect the Orbi router directly to the Openreach ONT as suggested by @MisterW . The Hub2 is not required.

As Plusnet do not supply any phone service for new connections and upgrades by moving to Full Fibre you would lose your Copper line and phone.