1gb Home Broadband Router

[grahamsmythe]

We have a brand-new VirginMedia 1gb router.

I prefer to have 2.4GHz and 5GHz showing as two separate WiFi's on my home networks.

To this end, under Advanced Settings/Wireless/Wireless Signal, I've disabled Channel Optimisation, and clicked on 'apply changes'.

I then click on Security and set it so the two networks publish two different names, and again click on 'apply changes'.

This all works fine for a time. Both networks show independently of each other and works exactly as expected.

However, after a day or two, only one network shows, and if I go back into the router settings, under Advanced Settings/Wireless Signal/Smart WiFi the Channel Optimisation has been enabled again.

It's almost as if something is resetting it without authorisation.

Anyone got any ideas?

[Client62 · Accepted solution]

The VM Connect app will re-enable Smart Wi-Fi and re-merge the two SSID if it is installed on your mobile phone.

[grahamsmythe]

@client62 Thanks very much. That's good to know and could be explaining what's going on.

So, if I have the Channel Optimisation disabled, will the VirginMedia WiFi Pods still work?

[jbrennand]

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@grahamsmythe wrote:

@client62 Thanks very much. That's good to know and could be explaining what's going on.

So, if I have the Channel Optimisation disabled, will the VirginMedia WiFi Pods still work?

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No... has to be left on.

[Client62]

Or the VM Pods are returned and a decent brand of retail Wi-Fi Mesh or Wi-Fi Repeaters
are used to provide the split SSID functionality that you desire.

[grahamsmythe]

Are you saying the VM Pods aren't very good then? I've got three of them and I thought they were reasonably decent?

[carl_pearce]

Which pods do you have?

The newer black pods are WiFi-6, so are a step forward from the older white pods.

[grahamsmythe]

Of course - all three of mine are white! 😀

[jbrennand]

Pods are not bad wifi equipment - its just that they are shackled by the VM firm/software - as you have discovered

Take a look at the TP-Link Deco range of wifi equipment - and use them with the Hub in modem mode so you have complete control.

[Kath_P]

Hi grahamsmythe, 

Thanks for taking the time to contact us via the Community. It's lovely having you on board with us in the Forums. ⭐

There are a few requirements for the Pods to work with our Hubs. You can view these below: 

• ⏹ The Hub must be in 'Router Mode' and not have been changed to 'Modem Mode' 
• ⏹ Channel Optimisation must be left on 
• ⏹ The SSIDs must be the same and broadcast enabled 
• ⏹ The SSID must be password protected 
• ⏹ The Passphrases of the SSIDs must match

As long as all of the above points are all met then the Pods will automatically connect to your Hub's WiFi and begin broadcasting. The wireless details from the Pods will be the same as the Hub's details, so no additional steps are required to connect up the devices in the home.

If you are wanting to separate your WiFi bands, the pods won't connect and therefore if you need WiFi support, you'd need to look at investing in your own mesh network. 

Let us know if you have any further queries or questions. 

Thanks,