Can Orange Brightbox be used as router for Virgin Cable?

I switched to Virgin Fibre-optic from Orange and have the Virgin Superhub. I get 30mbps downstairs but wireless signal is patchy upstairs in certain rooms and so the speed drops to 1mbps. I've heard the Virgin Hub isn't great for its wireless signal.

I know how to turn the Virgin Hub into modem only mode. But I'm not sure if the Orange Brighbox can be used as the wireless router? I tried this but couldn't get any internet from it. Is it compatible or do I need a cable router? If it is compatible which settings do I change into Brightbox's settings? I'm aware I need to disable DHCP but not sure what else I need to do? Sorry not clued up on networking, have tried googling lots!

Thanks for for any advice

It wont do what you want.

You need something explicitly labelled as a cable/dsl router.

In reply to a post by drkash:

I switched to Virgin Fibre-optic from Orange and have the Virgin Superhub. I get 30mbps downstairs but wireless signal is patchy upstairs in certain rooms and so the speed drops to 1mbps. I've heard the Virgin Hub isn't great for its wireless signal.

I know how to turn the Virgin Hub into modem only mode. But I'm not sure if the Orange Brighbox can be used as the wireless router? I tried this but couldn't get any internet from it. Is it compatible or do I need a cable router? If it is compatible which settings do I change into Brightbox's settings? I'm aware I need to disable DHCP but not sure what else I need to do? Sorry not clued up on networking, have tried googling lots!

Thanks for for any advice

Hi, you can setup your Orange Bright Box as the wireless access point.

http://i.dslr.net/pics/faqs/image93081.jpg

http://portforward.com/networking/staticip.htm

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/howto/static-ip-addre...

Virgin Super Hub IP Address: 192.168.0.1

Make Virgin Super Hub DHCP

DHCP Start: 192.168.0.21
DHCP End: 192.168.0.250

Make the Orange Bright Box IP Address: 192.168.0.251

Disable Orange Bright Box DHCP.

Make wireless channel the same as Super Hub.

Make wireless security the same as Super Hub.

You can make the router and access point SSID the same or they can be different. I like to make them different so I know which I am connected.

Example: Super Hub SSID: Mickey Mouse - Bright Box SSID: Mighty Mouse - or you can disable the Super Hub wireless.

The wireless access point is connected to the router with Cat5e Ethernet cable LAN port to LAN port.

http://help.virginmedia.com/system/selfservice.contr...

http://help.orange.co.uk/orangeuk/support/personal/6...

Edited by deleted (Thu 05-Jul-12 16:27:25)

If using the Superhub in modem only mode, then you would only be able to connect one computer if the BrightBox was set to wireless access point mode

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

If using the Superhub in modem only mode, then you would only be able to connect one computer if the BrightBox was set to wireless access point mode

I think a Cable router would be needed to connect to the cable modem the Orange Bright Box router has the ADSL modem.

I understand the Virgin Super Hub is a Cable Wireless Router with modem, the OP has to configure this as the main wireless router with a static IP address range. It is important the Bright Box access point is fixed within that range and not within the DHCP dynamic range.

http://help.virginmedia.com/system/selfservice.contr...

Back in the world where people don't want lots of different devices if wireless reception is not great then

modem mode on superhub, and a proper cable router with appropriate wireless located in optimum position on end of an ethernet cable is best solution.

You can use the brightbox as an access point, if you run the super hub in its router mode, or switch it to modem mode and ADD another cable router, creating a three box solution if you really want.

Super Hub configured as the Router with connected Bright Box access point = 2 boxes.

Super Hub configured as the Modem with connected Cable router = 2 boxes.

The same difference.

Post deleted by drkash

In reply to a post by E7er:

In reply to a post by drkash:

Hi, you can setup your Orange Bright Box as the wireless access point.

Virgin Super Hub IP Address: 192.168.0.1

Make Virgin Super Hub DHCP

DHCP Start: 192.168.0.21
DHCP End: 192.168.0.250

Make the Orange Bright Box IP Address: 192.168.0.251

Disable Orange Bright Box DHCP.

Make wireless channel the same as Super Hub.

Make wireless security the same as Super Hub.

The wireless access point is connected to the router with Cat5e Ethernet cable LAN port to LAN port.

Thanks for the advice. I finally managed to get a connection but am having problems with the wireless connection. The superhub and Brighbox are connected via ethernet. I can get a connection ok when I connect my laptop to the Brightbox via Ethernet. Wireless connection worked for around 5-10mins but since when I try to connect wirelessly there's no internet??

Also I can't access the Brightbox's config page. I changed the IP as advised to 192.168.0.251 - when I type this in to Firefox nothing happens, also the old IP 192.168.1.1 also doesnt work??

Additionally my iPhone wont connect to the Brightbox at all (it used to without any problems when I was using it for Orange broadband weeks ago)

Thanks for any help once again

Edited by deleted (Sun 08-Jul-12 10:27:12)

Have you tried using Home plugs (say, Devolo) to take the wired network upstairs.