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gobblebox's avatar
gobblebox
On our wavelength
3 years ago

Definitive Guide to setting Modem Mode and recommended routers

New Volt Hub (5?) on the way.  Unlikely it will support port forwarding for SMTP (port 25) so I have two choices; move my mail server to Google/365 or buy a router.

Is there a definitive guide somewhere that would help me set up the Hub and router correctly and which router should I use?

Thanks.

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  • lotharmat's avatar
    lotharmat
    Community elder
    3 years ago
    Best router you can afford! 😉

    ==================== Set up router: ====================

    1. Navigate to 192.168.0.1
    2. Log in to the Hub
    3. Go to 'Modem mode' (on the left) and put the hub into modem mode
    4. Wait until the bottom light on the Hub turns magenta / red (HUB 3) (can take about 5 minutes)
    5. Turn off the Hub
    6. Power on and set up your new router as per the manufacturers instructions
    7. Plug an ethernet cable (usually supplied with the new router) from port 1 on the Hub into the WAN (usually blue) socket on the new Router
    8. Power on the Hub and wait about 5-10 minutes until it stabilises - You should have internet!
    • gobblebox's avatar
      gobblebox
      On our wavelength
      3 years ago

      Cheers, @lotharmat

      I have a first generation Google Nest Router but suspect that's not up to the job.

      Top of router list otherwise are:

      Asus BRT-AC828

      Asus RT-AX88U

      Netgear Nighthawk X10

      Synology RT2600ac

      Second gen. Google Nest

      • lotharmat's avatar
        lotharmat
        Community elder
        3 years ago
        I have heard good things about the Nighthawks!

        My dad has an ASUS - I, personally, am not a fan!
    • maxthegold's avatar
      maxthegold
      Tuning in
      2 years ago

      If you have the new 5x hub there is no modem mode option in the menu. In this case type in the address :-

      192.168.0.1/?page=modemmode

      and continue from step 4.

    • mattcd216's avatar
      mattcd216
      Settling in
      8 months ago

      Hi. Thanks very much for the steps provided. Crazy there isn't anything on modem mode in virgin docs!

      Did you do anything with CIDR ranges? Superhub3 is on 192.168.0.0/24 (which I believe can't be changed) - did you set up your own router on the same subnet? Does it need to be different or can it be different if you want?

      Thanks,

      Matt

      • Matthew_ML's avatar
        Matthew_ML
        Icon for Forum Team rankForum Team
        7 months ago

        Hey mattcd216, thank you for reaching out and just to confirm are you having some issues setting up up modem mode?

        Let us now and we would be happy to help. 

  • legacy1's avatar
    legacy1
    Alessandro Volta
    3 years ago

    VM make it hard for ports 25 because they don't want you to become a SMTP relay by mistake.

    so use modem mode and a router

    I have a test SMTP but firewall in trusted remote IP's to it.

    • maxthegold's avatar
      maxthegold
      Tuning in
      2 years ago

      No afraid not. Looks like I spoke too soon and committed the cardinal error of opening my big mouth before testing was completed. It seems the only bit of modem mode in the 5x firmware is the page itself there doesn't seem to be anything behind it or if there is it is not activated by this page. It just steadfastly refuses to connect to Virgin.