Issues with Ethernet Connections and Switches (unmanged)

[johndon1968]

Up until yesterday morning, I had BT Broadband with the router connected to a 16 port network switch which then ran to other locations and switches (all 1gbps capable) round the house. No problems at all with this setup, connection was always rock solid but I could only get 17mbps from BT.

Upgraded to Virgin yesterday for a 1000mbps internet connection and, since then, the wired LAN has been an absolute nightmare. All WiFi devices (phones, echo dots, Nest doorbell and camera) are working perfectly but wired devices simply aren't connecting to the internet.

As of right now, I have a single device switched on, an Xbox Series X. If I connect it directly to the router via an ethernet cable there are no problems at all but, as soon as I connect the router to a network switch then connect the Xbox to that, the Xbox either cannot connect to the internet and also complains about UPNP not being enabled (it is enabled on the router).

The same is true with my PC which, again, was rock solid when the BT Router was in use, connected via the switch to the router I continually get 'No Internet Connection' when checking the status of the network although the PC can see other devices on the network if they are connected.  If I connect the PC directly to the router, it also works perfectly again, the problem only exists if I go through a switch first.

I've tried two different switches (both of which were absolutely fine connected to the BT router) with the same result. Obviously, everything has been rebooted multiple times and this is now driving me up the wall...

Any ides would be appreciated.

John

[Roger_Gooner]

When you say "router" do you mean the VM hub and, if so, which one is it?

[legacy1]

Get your own router with 1Gb ports and put hub in modem mode

[johndon1968]

Yes, the VM Hub, and it is a Hub 5.

[johndon1968]

I will if I have to but surely I shouldn't need to?

[Roger_Gooner]

Have you tried another Ethernet cable for the hub-switch connection?

[johndon1968]

Yes, tried 2 cables both of which I know work as I can use them to connect the XBOB directly to the hub.

[Client62]

Rebooting may not be enough.

It is critical to totally clear down the BT Internet view of the LAN from all the network switches and from all the LAN cable connected devices.

1) Turn off all the network switches also turn off all the kit that is connected via a network cable.
2) Turn on the network switches
3) Turn on the devices

Now your devices should migrate to the DHCP service of the Virgin Media Hub i.e. be using a 192.168.0.xxx IP.

[asim18]

Yes, you shouldn't need to... because VM "should" be providing people with a seperate Modem, and a seperate "off the shelf" router produced by a proper router manufacturer (preferably chinese/taiwanese) with a proper firmware. (It would actually be cheaper for VM as they are basically forcing themselves to pay unqualified coders to produce bad firmware, patches, updates etc., if they used off the shelf routers, they would save a lot of money and hassle and engineer appointments replacing dodgy Hubs!)

Unfortunately VM changed this in 2010 when they banned the standalone modems, now fast forward to 2024 and they've completely removed the ability to use proper networking equipment as they have banned modem mode on their latest 5x routers too. VM is going backwards unfortunately.

Have you restarted the switch? Try to leave the switch unplugged for a few mins then plug it back in, as the switch may still have things stored from the old BT router.

[carl_pearce]

Have your tried different ports on the HUB 5?