Virgin Media Hub3 and Orbi

Guru - Experienced User

Apr 16, 2018

#2 "If this can't be done with the ISP modem, then use the modems DMZ feature for the IP address that the Orbi router gets from the ISP modem. Disabling all wifi radios on the modem."
=> that's beyond my competencies! should I make the changes in the ISP modem (Virgin) or in the Orbi? could you please explain step by step what IP address should I copy and where?

You'll make changes on the ISP modem/router. There should be a DMZ option here. If you need more help you can ask your ISP to help you configure this for the Orbi Router. If you find the DMZ, input the IP address the Orbi router gets on it's WAN port, into the DMZ. You might set up a IP address reservation for this same IP address as well ON the ISP modem so it doesn't change and cause problems down the road.
=> does it mean a lower network security? NO, since the Orbi router has a firewall too. Your safe to use the DMZ on the ISP modem.
=> would you recommend #3 over #2? I prefer #2.

#3 "Or use the ISP modem as your main host router, disable all wifi radios on the modem and use the Orbi system in AP mode, connected LAN to LAN. Not WAN to LAN."
=> in that case I connect via ethernet from the ISP modem LAN port to one of the Orbi LAN port (not the yellow one)? YES

Your interferences coming from the adjacent area maybe a problem as well. You'll need to scan for any wifi and channels being used there and adjust the orbi for manual channels accordingly.

If your going to use an Orbi Satellite and Orbi router, you can place the router near the ISP modem or a bit more centrally then place the satellite at the opposite end near the bed room. Should be about 30 feet minimum in between.

JYG83 wrote:
Hello

If I keep the Virgin Hub3 in router mode and disable all WiFi, should the Orbi Router be in router mode or be set up as an access point?
In essence, what are the differences between:
(i) Virgin hub3 router + Orbi as an AP; and
(ii) Orbi as a router behind the Virgin Media Hub3 as a router.
(in both instances turning off the hub3 WiFi)?

Thank you

DB2k
Aspirant
Aug 22, 2018
Did this all get resolved? My new Orbi RBK50 and my virgin superhub 3 are not friends.

Sometimes it's stable for hours then it is just unusable for hours on end as the internet connection drops from the virgin hub and then it keeps trying to restablish connctivity. I talked to Virgin and the engineer things its the Orbi doing something. I have no idea how the Orbi can be making the Virgin hub drop it's internet connection - anyone else seen that?

My SH3 is set in modem mode with wifi disabled (red light on the front of the box).

I haven't done anything specific to the Orbi but I'm now wondering if I need to change the DMZ settings perhaps?

Frustrating!
- koregan123
  Tutor
  Aug 22, 2018
  Hi Db2k
  
  ’Resolved’ is a strong word. I found the best setup for me was to setup the SH3 in Router mode (note not modem), disable the wifi and add the Orbi IP address to the SH3 dmz. I still had some issues however moving the Orbi satellite around seemed to solve that over time (my devices seemed to mess around reconnecting to either the satellite or main router a lot). I found that the satellite can be ‘too close’ as well as ‘too far away’ which makes the whole setup seem a little flaky if you want my honest opinion.
  
  i also downgraded the firmware on both router and satellite to an older much more stable version as the newer versions of firmware seemed to introduce a ton more issues (there are plenty of posts on here outlining the last ‘stable’ firmware upgrade for your specific model - hopefully this has been resolved recently)
  
  i have since taken the plunge to have my entire house hard wired with cat6 as i was frustrated with crappy coverage and dropped commections so i will likely be posting questions on here soon about using a hard wired backhaul in my setup once the system is put in.
  
  good luck - many of my friends told me that £350 for a wifi router in a medium sized 3 bed semi was overkill but i still havent cracked reliable and stable wifi - one day maybe
  
  for me this system is over complicated and netgear should really focus on the basics of coverage, dropped connections and speed. They seem more interested in introducing new features like daisychaining instead of solving the ‘satellite is too close’ kind of basic flakiness.
  
  Hope this helps
  - DB2k
    Aspirant
    Aug 22, 2018
    Right right
    
    Interesting.. I'll change mine from modem to router and try to get the IP into the DMZ on the hub.
    
    I'll look at the firmware for sure after this. Mine's been pretty stable wifi wise - even when the internet drops the wifi remains stable and my one sattellite looks like it's working well too - coverage down the garden! Yeah I have a 2 bed semi and so again, it's probably overkill but frankly, I'd rather have too much over not enough signal!
    
    Really appreciate the reply. If I still have problems I think I'll start a new thread perhaps. Hopefully there will ne a new firmware soon to address any existing problems!
    
    thanks
    
    David
- FURRYe38
  Guru - Experienced User
  Aug 22, 2018
  One of these options should work for you:
  
  Modem Combo Units:
  Couple of options,
  1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
  2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
  3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, LAN to LAN and configure AP mode on the Orbi router.
  
  DB2k wrote:
  
  Did this all get resolved? My new Orbi RBK50 and my virgin superhub 3 are not friends.
  
  Sometimes it's stable for hours then it is just unusable for hours on end as the internet connection drops from the virgin hub and then it keeps trying to restablish connctivity. I talked to Virgin and the engineer things its the Orbi doing something. I have no idea how the Orbi can be making the Virgin hub drop it's internet connection - anyone else seen that?
  
  My SH3 is set in modem mode with wifi disabled (red light on the front of the box).
  
  I haven't done anything specific to the Orbi but I'm now wondering if I need to change the DMZ settings perhaps?
  
  Frustrating!
  - andrewjboswell
    Tutor
    Sep 04, 2018
    It has taken me a few months but I now seem to have got my Orbi system working well with the Virgin Hub 3.0. It took me so long because there are so many conflicting opinions on the Internet and none of them worked for me so I went back to basics:
    
    Here's what I did:
    
    1 Unplugged all ethernet cables from Virgin Hub and plugged in only the Orbi main hub, to the bottom port (port 1). [The other ports didn't work. One of the experts said to use the top port on the hub but that didn't work.]
    2. Used a paperclip to reset the Virgin Hub, leaving the Orbi connected
    3. Used a paperclip to reset the Orbi, then used the Orbi App on iPhone to configure it. The troubleshooting wizard popped up and fixed the internet connection. [For a while the Orbi app still said I had no internet connection but in fact I did.]
    4. When the app told me to, I plugged in the Orbi satellite and set it up.
    
    5. I intended to set the Virgin hub to modem mode but I couldn't browse to the Hub through the Orbi wi-fi connection, so I left Virgin in router mode, but without connecting to its wi-fi.
    
    6. Connected the virgin media system via the Orbi wi-fi. Don't connect it or anything else to the Virgin ethernet ports, apart from the Orbi main hub.
    
    7. Connected my Hive by ethernet to the Orbi main hub
    
    8. Connected my Echos via the Orbi wi-fi
    
    9. To connect Sonos I had to use an Ethernet connection from my Sonos Playbar to my Orbi main hub.
    
    Now I am getting 200Mbps wifi everywhere in my house, and down to the bottom of my garden, so I am happy at last! As I sit here typing this my Orbi app reports the internet speed is 393Mbps download and 21 Mbps upload.
    
    Long story short - the reset wizards fixed it for me.
    
    Good luck everyone!

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