Hub2 router in bridge mode.

[#1]

I have been using an old tp-link router in bridge mode connected to a Linksys Mesh 6 set PPoE with my username and password for the past year.

It has been working albeit slow particularly during the school holidays.

We are in a large ‘L’ shaped bungalow with many smart home devices, (30+) most running Matter over Thread, hence the Mesh network with three nodes.

I have recently ‘upgraded’ to Fibre only from Fibre with phone as we never use the landline and would save a few pounds.

I also took the opportunity to get a Hub2 router as I read it could be put into bridge mode and my to-link is getting on.

We got the Hub2 set up in bridge mode (pink light), however the Mesh system fails to connect even though the PPoE settings are exactly the same as the ones that are working through the tp-link which does work. We even left it overnight to stabilise.

I guess the PPoE settings are hardwired into the Hub2 modem, I cannot find them through the Hub2 manager? Do I need these settings in my Mesh router?

[#2]

I guess the PPoE settings are hardwired into the Hub2 modem, I cannot find them through the Hub2 manager? Do I need these settings in my Mesh router?

In bridge mode the Hub 2 doesnt make the PPPoE connection, you need the PPPoE settings in the Mesh router. TBH it should be exactly the same as when you were using the tplink in bridge mode.

You aren't connecting the Mesh router to the WAN port on the Hub 2 are you ? it needs to be a LAN port

[#3]

@obbitz  If you were using the TP-Link in bridge mode the PPPoE details ( Plusnet Username and Password)  would be put in the Linksys Mesh router, if this was the case you should require no change with the Hub2. In bridge mode the Hub2 acts as a stand alone modem with no configuration required, there are no PPPoE settings in the Hub2 when in this mode.

Edit. A bit slow with my reply but @MisterW  does make a good point about using the Hub2 Lan port.

[#4]

Thank you, it is not connected to the WAN port on the Hub2 and the Mesh router settings have not been changed from the ones that are working through the tp-link router. Even left it for hours to establish a signal.

[#5]

Thank you,  I am not using the WAN port, I haven’t changed the Linksys Mesh PPoE settings which do work through the tp-link in bridge mode.

I wish we had non Virgin Full Fibre in the area, I was hoping getting rid of the landline and new Hub2 would speed things up a little.

[#6]

@obbitz  There must be some problem with your hardware setup or mesh router configuration, unfortunately leaving things for hours rarely has any positive result, it should just work.

If you could post screenshots of the linksys configuration details (obscure any personal info) it may help to track down the problem.

[#7 · Accepted solution]

@obbitz 

Maybe when you were using the the TP-Link as a modem you needed to add/enable VLAN 101 on the PPPoE setting, this is no longer required as the Hub Two proves the VLAN tag

HTH

[#8]

Thank you that may be the problem, the VLAN is set to 101.

I will remove it and try it again tomorrow morning  through the Hub2 when the house is quieter.

[#9]

Thank you Dan_the_Van

Removing the VLAN 101 setting in the Linksys Mesh router has worked, the Hub2 is now working in bridge mode.

It is.often the simplest of settings that need to be tweaked.

The speed test reached 21 mbs, yesterday it was around 8 mbs.

[#10]

I'm surprised you had the VLAN setting in the Mesh system when using the TPLink. I've used one (a 9970) in the past and it implemented the VLAN when used in bridge mode.

[#11]

It was an old Tp-link Archer VR400. I guess the VLAN settings are automatic in newer models.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I hope this keeps me going until I can get full fibre.

I tried Virgin last year only to find their full fibre Hub5x couldn’t be put into bridge (modem) mode despite many assurances that it could.

The support from Virgin was useless, I cancelled after 3 days of frustration.

I’ve been with PlusNet for over 20 years and the service has been excellent, I’ll just have to wait until OpenReach full fibre is rolled out here.