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.

In reply to a post by Sandgrounder:

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

I haven't as I'm hoping to get this working. But rather than Home plugs wouldn't a good wireless router like the TP-Link TL-WR1043ND be a cheaper workable solution?

In reply to a post 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

Hi, okay! You need to see if the configuration is correct! On your taskbar if using Windows, you should see grey monitor icons, one for the Ethernet connection and one for wireless, right click mouse on them and select Status/Properties, now in �Local Area Connection Properties� scroll down to �Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)� select this, then Properties.

You should see for Ethernet�

Use Following IP Address:

IP address: 192.168.0.? <- important make sure this is within the static range, this is your PC Ethernet connection.
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gatway:192.168.0.1

Use the following DNS server address:
Preferred DNS server: 192.168.0.1


You should now see for wireless�

Use Following IP Address:

IP address: 192.168.0.? <- important make sure this is within the static range, this is your PC wireless connection.
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gatway:192.168.0.1

Use the following DNS server address:
Preferred DNS server: 192.168.0.1


Make the Ethernet connection IP address: 192.168.0.3
Make the Wireless connection IP address: 192.168.0.13

Edited by deleted (Sun 08-Jul-12 13:14:18)

Ok will try that. I managed to get it all working with an old Netgear ADSL router, but its wireless signal is [censored] too! The settings page on the Netgear is the same as the Superhub - they both have a LAN IP page so I could modify the IP. However the Orange Brightbox hasn't got a LAN IP page and so I changed this on the Broadband settings page...changed to static IP address, added IP, subnet and default gateway. Could this be anything to do with the problem I encountered??

In reply to a post by drkash:

Ok will try that. I managed to get it all working with an old Netgear ADSL router, but its wireless signal is [censored] too! The settings page on the Netgear is the same as the Superhub - they both have a LAN IP page so I could modify the IP. However the Orange Brightbox hasn't got a LAN IP page and so I changed this on the Broadband settings page...changed to static IP address, added IP, subnet and default gateway. Could this be anything to do with the problem I encountered??

Hi, to configure the Bright Box IP address, you go... advanced set-up/dhcp/gateway address,

make the Bright Box IP address: 192.168.0.251

DHCP Server: Disable

then you save settings.

Definitely moving in the right direction!
After doing this

"configure the Bright Box IP address, you go... advanced set-up/dhcp/gateway address"

...I can now access the Brightbox settings page using 192.168.0.251

However a similar problem to before - internet accessed only initially via wireless but then I lost it again after switching to Virgin Superhub wireless connection and back. Ethernet connection works fine.

You need to see if the configuration is correct! On your taskbar if using Windows, you should see grey monitor icons, one for the Ethernet connection and one for wireless, right click mouse on them and select Status/Properties, now in �Local Area Connection Properties� scroll down to �Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)� select this, then Properties.

...I'm using Windows 7, right clicking doesn't give the above options but I can open up Network Connections and open Properties to LAN and also Wireless...here do I choose Internet Protocol Version 6 or 4? When I go into either then they are selected to "Obtain IP address autmatically"...so I change that to the previous settings you mentioned? What shall I put in the "Alternate DNS server"?

Also to make things a little more complicated...I have my Superhub Starting IP Address set to 192.168.0.2 and ending 192.168.0.51 - I didnt want to alter it to DHCP Start: 192.168.0.21 and DHCP End: 192.168.0.250 as I didn't want to have to reconnect all my devices again. Does this matter? What shall I put in the Internet Protocol properties then or am I best changing it as you previously advised?

Many thanks again for your help E7er

I'm using Windows 7, right clicking doesn't give the above options but I can open up Network Connections and open Properties to LAN and also Wireless...here do I choose Internet Protocol Version 6 or 4? When I go into either then they are selected to "Obtain IP address autmatically"...so I change that to the previous settings you mentioned? What shall I put in the "Alternate DNS server"?

I think you would choose Internet Protocol Version 4. The Alternate DNS server IP address, leave that blank.

http://portforward.com/networking/static-win7.htm

Also to make things a little more complicated...I have my Superhub Starting IP Address set to 192.168.0.2 and ending 192.168.0.51 - I didnt want to alter it to DHCP Start: 192.168.0.21 and DHCP End: 192.168.0.250 as I didn't want to have to reconnect all my devices again. Does this matter? What shall I put in the Internet Protocol properties then or am I best changing it as you previously advised?

These other devices are they configured with a static IP address then? If not they will connect dynamically with what IP address the Super Hub router DHCP server issues to them.

Edited by deleted (Sun 08-Jul-12 17:15:06)

Hi, okay! You need to see if the configuration is correct! On your taskbar if using Windows, you should see grey monitor icons, one for the Ethernet connection and one for wireless, right click mouse on them and select Status/Properties, now in �Local Area Connection Properties� scroll down to �Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)� select this, then Properties.

You should see for Ethernet�

Use Following IP Address:

IP address: 192.168.0.? <- important make sure this is within the static range, this is your PC Ethernet connection.
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gatway:192.168.0.1

Use the following DNS server address:
Preferred DNS server: 192.168.0.1


You should now see for wireless�

Use Following IP Address:

IP address: 192.168.0.? <- important make sure this is within the static range, this is your PC wireless connection.
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gatway:192.168.0.1

Use the following DNS server address:
Preferred DNS server: 192.168.0.1


Make the Ethernet connection IP address: 192.168.0.3
Make the Wireless connection IP address: 192.168.0.13

I did the above and it didn't work. However since doing this I can't get any wireless internet connection when connected to the Superhub (this was never a problem before) - I've tried removing the ssid on wireless networks and re-adding, also have tried restarting PC and modems but still doesnt work, it connects to the Superhub but doesn't give any internet?? I've tried selecting the Obtain IP address automatically in Internet Protocol also as it was before the modifications but that doesnt work either. Ethernet connection is still ok?? Wireless internet is ok on iphone/ipad when connected to Superhub

Any thoughts?

Finally managed to get the wireless internet working...didn't realise that DNS server address was still set to the manual one rather than auto

I think I'm not going to get much further with the Brightbox so will look for an alternative solution. Was thinking of buying the TP-Link TL-WR1043ND. Any thoughts? It seems to have a strong wireless signal which is my main priority, also is only £42

In reply to a post by drkash:

Finally managed to get the wireless internet working...didn't realise that DNS server address was still set to the manual one rather than auto

Where is this DNS server address setting?

I think I'm not going to get much further with the Brightbox so will look for an alternative solution. Was thinking of buying the TP-Link TL-WR1043ND. Any thoughts? It seems to have a strong wireless signal which is my main priority, also is only £42

I have my Netgear DGN1000 wireless router now set-up and connected to my Bright Box wireless router with this configuration and it all works perfectly and it is very fast via wireless. I can even switch to each wireless connection the Bright Box having three separate wireless connection settings and the Netgear having one, so I know this configuration all works. Go through it all again and check out the configuration.

A Tip� Go to Windows 7 Network and Internet/Network Connections and click on Local Area Network (Network) and create shortcut, do the same for the wireless Network. Position the shortcut icons at lower right hand corner of desktop, this will help you to configure the network connections.

Edited by deleted (Sun 08-Jul-12 19:50:13)

Where is this DNS server address setting?

This was in...

On your taskbar if using Windows, you should see grey monitor icons, one for the Ethernet connection and one for wireless, right click mouse on them and select Status/Properties, now in �Local Area Connection Properties� scroll down to �Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)� select this, then Properties.

I have Coaxial cable > Superhub > Ethernet to Brightbox > Ethernet/Wireless to Laptop - when latter is Ethernet connected its fine, once I remove the Ethernet and change to Wireless only then connection drops out after 5mins.

When I tried the same configuration but using Netgear DGN100 (instead of the Brightbox) it worked fine and the setup was straightforward. I can only assume that the Brightbox somehow is incompatible with the Superhub

In reply to a post by drkash:

Hi, okay! You need to see if the configuration is correct! On your taskbar if using Windows, you should see grey monitor icons, one for the Ethernet connection and one for wireless, right click mouse on them and select Status/Properties, now in �Local Area Connection Properties� scroll down to �Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)� select this, then Properties.

You should see for Ethernet�

Use Following IP Address:

IP address: 192.168.0.? <- important make sure this is within the static range, this is your PC Ethernet connection.
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gatway:192.168.0.1

Use the following DNS server address:
Preferred DNS server: 192.168.0.1


You should now see for wireless�

Use Following IP Address:

IP address: 192.168.0.? <- important make sure this is within the static range, this is your PC wireless connection.
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gatway:192.168.0.1

Use the following DNS server address:
Preferred DNS server: 192.168.0.1


Make the Ethernet connection IP address: 192.168.0.3
Make the Wireless connection IP address: 192.168.0.13

I did the above and it didn't work. However since doing this I can't get any wireless internet connection when connected to the Superhub (this was never a problem before) - I've tried removing the ssid on wireless networks and re-adding, also have tried restarting PC and modems but still doesnt work, it connects to the Superhub but doesn't give any internet?? I've tried selecting the Obtain IP address automatically in Internet Protocol also as it was before the modifications but that doesnt work either. Ethernet connection is still ok?? Wireless internet is ok on iphone/ipad when connected to Superhub

Any thoughts?

I don�t understand Modems there should only be connected�

From the Virgin coaxial cable, the Virgin Super Hub -> then Ethernet port to Ethernet port your PC and the Orange Bright Box router as the wireless access point.

In reply to a post by drkash:

When I tried the same configuration but using Netgear DGN100 (instead of the Brightbox) it worked fine and the setup was straightforward. I can only assume that the Brightbox somehow is incompatible with the Superhub

The Bright box is compatible with the Super Hub� Checkout all the Bright Box wireless settings they should be the same as the Super Hub, re-enter the wireless password, copy and paste the password to make sure it is the same as the Super Hub.

Yeah I checked everything but it all seems the same. Oh well I'll give up at this point and go for the TP-Link Router, heard its decent.

THANKS again for your help

In reply to a post by drkash:

Yeah I checked everything but it all seems the same. Oh well I'll give up at this point and go for the TP-Link Router, heard its decent.

THANKS again for your help

Don�t give up you are almost there!

You say your Super Hub DHCP range is set between 2 and 51 so the static IP address for your PC Ethernet connection should be 192.168.0.52 and make the PC wireless static IP address 192.168.0.53 also put back that setting you changed from manual to auto, put it back to manual.

Your Network configuration.

Virgin Super Hub IP Address: 192.168.0.1

Virgin Super Hub DHCP

DHCP Start: 192.168.0.2
DHCP End: 192.168.0.51

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.
---------------

Configure your PC Ethernet and wireless static IP address connections.

http://portforward.com/networking/static-win7.htm

You should see for Ethernet�

Use Following IP Address:

IP address: 192.168.0.52 <- this is your PC Ethernet connection static IP address.
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gatway:192.168.0.1

Use the following DNS server address:
Preferred DNS server: 192.168.0.1
Alternate DNS server: Leave blank
------------------

You should see for the wireless connection�

Use Following IP Address:

IP address: 192.168.0.53 <- this is your PC wireless connection static IP address.
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gatway:192.168.0.1

Use the following DNS server address:
Preferred DNS server: 192.168.0.1
Alternate DNS server: Leave blank

------------------

Been thinking on this Bright Box wireless configuration problem.

Go to advanced set-up/wireless settings: enable wireless.
Go to advanced set-up/wireless settings/channel and ssid: SSID1 enable, broadcast SSID1 enable.
Go to advanced set-up/wireless settings/wpa: important, security settings and password must be the same as Super Hub.

That�s it, should now all work.

Edited by deleted (Mon 09-Jul-12 12:50:18)

Ok thanks I'll give it another go.

I don�t understand Modems there should only be connected�

From the Virgin coaxial cable, the Virgin Super Hub -> then Ethernet port to Ethernet port your PC and the Orange Bright Box router as the wireless access point.

I would normally connect PC and Brightbox via Ethernet initially when making the connection and changing the IP/router settings etc. Then once that was done I'd also connect Brightbox and Superhub via Ethernet. Then restart everything. Once I had a wired connection I'd then remove Ethernet from PC and Brightbox and try wireless connection. In the long term I was planning on leaving only the Brightbox and Superhub connected via Ethernet. Is that correct? What you wrote above suggests connecting PC and Brightbox via Ethernet only??

I would normally connect PC and Brightbox via Ethernet initially when making the connection and changing the IP/router settings etc. Then once that was done I'd also connect Brightbox and Superhub via Ethernet. Then restart everything. Once I had a wired connection I'd then remove Ethernet from PC and Brightbox and try wireless connection. In the long term I was planning on leaving only the Brightbox and Superhub connected via Ethernet. Is that correct?

That is correct initially you do connect the Super Hub or Bright Box to your PC with Ethernet cable to configure the settings.


For the Bright Box to operate as the wireless access point it must always be connected to the Super Hub with Cat5e Ethernet cable LAN port to LAN port.

It is good practice to have the desktop PC connected with Ethernet cable to the Super Hub LAN port. Then if you have wireless problems you can switch to Ethernet and check out the problem.

I have the two shortcut icons one for Ethernet and one for wireless located on my desktop at lower right-hand corner to enable or disable the wireless or Ethernet connection and to check-out settings.

I changed everything suggested but after altering the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) both the LAN ethernet and Wireless connections stopped working (including wireless to Superhub). I checked they were correct on cmd ipconfig /all
After changing back to the auto defaults then LAN ethernet started working again but not wireless internet to Brightbox (superhub wireless restarted)

Not sure if wireless settings are the same on both??

On superhub:
Wireless Network
Channel: 1
802.11 mode: 145mbps
802.11N Band: 2.4Ghz
Security Mode: WPA Auto (other options to choose from also WPA2-PSK[AES] or WPA-PSK[TKIP] or WPA/WPA2 Enterprise or WEP)

On Brightbox:
Wireless Mode: 11b+11g+11n (there is nothing similar on Superhub to select)
Channel: 1
Extension Channel: 5
Bandwidth: 20Mhz
WPA mode: WPA/WPA2 mixed mode
Cipher suite: Auto

The wireless passwords are identical

Losing hope!

Interestingly the wireless to Brightbox has started working after disconnecting the Ethernet between PC and Brightbox. It took a few minutes after connecting wirelessly to pick up the internet signal. It stayed on for 30mins, then I changed over to Virgin Superhub wireless. Then back to Brightbox again, again took a few minutes to find the internet signal again. The Internet Protocol settings are still set to detect auto defaults. How long the connection will last I don't know. I haven't done anything different to what I tried yesterday.

Also my iphone's won't connect to the Brightbox for some reason, it just keeps on trying to connect but never does (have also tried forgetting it on iphone and re-entering password). Password correct. Never had problems connecting to Brightbox when it was on orange??

Edited by deleted (Tue 10-Jul-12 08:11:09)

I changed everything suggested but after altering the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) both the LAN ethernet and Wireless connections stopped working (including wireless to Superhub). I checked they were correct on cmd ipconfig /all
After changing back to the auto defaults then LAN ethernet started working again but not wireless internet to Brightbox (superhub wireless restarted)

That seems to indicate that 192.168.0.52 and 192.168.0.53 are still in the DHCP range, change settings for the static IP address, make the Ethernet 192.168.0.152 and wireless 192.168.0.153 .


To setup a static IP address you must use Manual IP Assigning.

http://www.home-network-help.com/configure-ip.html


For the wireless use WPA-PSK [TKIP] security for both Super Hub and Bright box.

Copy and paste the security password from word into Super Hub and Bright Box so they will be the identical and for when you select your wireless connection in view available wireless networks.

Experiment with different wireless modes, use 11b+11g. The Super Hub and Bright Box must have the same wireless mode settings.

In reply to a post by drkash:

Interestingly the wireless to Brightbox has started working after disconnecting the Ethernet between PC and Brightbox. It took a few minutes after connecting wirelessly to pick up the internet signal. It stayed on for 30mins, then I changed over to Virgin Superhub wireless. Then back to Brightbox again, again took a few minutes to find the internet signal again. The Internet Protocol settings are still set to detect auto defaults. How long the connection will last I don't know. I haven't done anything different to what I tried yesterday.

Also my iphone's won't connect to the Brightbox for some reason, it just keeps on trying to connect but never does (have also tried forgetting it on iphone and re-entering password). Password correct. Never had problems connecting to Brightbox when it was on orange??

Hi, are you sure you have the Super Hub DHCP range set 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.51 check in the router to see if you have that setting and make sure the Bright Box DHCP is disabled under, advanced set-up/dhcp - then save the settings.

I know you want to use the Bright Box for the wireless, but get your network working first with Ethernet, forget the wireless for the time being. With the Ethernet configured you then don�t have to keep messing around connecting each box to your PC to change settings.

http://www.howtogeek.com/?post_type=post&p=19249

The iPhone connects dynamically with the Super Hub router DHCP server, it does not have a Static IP address. I just tried my iPhone 3GS connecting by wireless to Netgear DGN1000 as the access point for my Bright Box router and it connected okay to the Internet.

Just to update this thread - the Brightbox started working eventually. What I realised was that it always connected to the Brightbox (ethernet or wireless) but there would be no internet, Network Centre would indicate "unidentified public network"...then after 5 minutes it would eventually change to home network and internet would work (this was probably the problem all along but I probably didn't give it enough time). This may be a common Windows problem but the common solutions like assigning static IP or updating drivers didn't make a difference. Once connected though then the connection would always be stable. Only if I changed wireless connection back to Virgin then back to Brightbox would the same problem happen but after 5 minutes the internet connection returned. This was the same with my iphone and ipad, indicating the problem can't be Windows only. I can only assume that there is some incompatibility between the Virgin Superhub and Brightbox. At least the setup is now working.

Thanks E7er for your help.

In reply to a post by drkash:

Just to update this thread - the Brightbox started working eventually. What I realised was that it always connected to the Brightbox (ethernet or wireless) but there would be no internet, Network Centre would indicate "unidentified public network"...then after 5 minutes it would eventually change to home network and internet would work (this was probably the problem all along but I probably didn't give it enough time). This may be a common Windows problem but the common solutions like assigning static IP or updating drivers didn't make a difference. Once connected though then the connection would always be stable. Only if I changed wireless connection back to Virgin then back to Brightbox would the same problem happen but after 5 minutes the internet connection returned. This was the same with my iphone and ipad, indicating the problem can't be Windows only. I can only assume that there is some incompatibility between the Virgin Superhub and Brightbox. At least the setup is now working.

Thanks E7er for your help.

Hi, improve on it! You should not get that connection lag to your devices with the wireless or Ethernet, it should be an instant connection.
Enter manually the Virgin Media DNS server settings into your Super Hub router (If you can) and for windows Ethernet and wireless in �Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties�.

Windows Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties

Use the following DNS server address:
Preferred DNS server: 194.168.4.100
Alternate DNS server: 194.168.8.100

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

Did you configure Windows �Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties� with �Use the following IP address� and not �Obtain an IP address automatically�. If you configured it with automatically then no static IP address was assigned and this could be the reason for the lag as the network is still using DNS server issued IP addresses.

http://www.howtogeek.com/?post_type=post&p=19249

In reply to a post by E7er:

Did you configure Windows �Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties� with �Use the following IP address� and not �Obtain an IP address automatically�. If you configured it with automatically then no static IP address was assigned and this could be the reason for the lag as the network is still using DNS server issued IP addresses.

It should work perfectly well with �Obtain an IP address automatically�. In fact it is far easier that way. particularly when you have more than 1 PC, to do all the work once at the router. I always set mine up that way and do not have any delay with it.

Indeed I've been wanting to dispute your suggestion since you first made it .

yes +1 on this

Even though home networks may be generally smaller, with the growth in mobile devices with Wi-Fi I think we have to wean people off using manual settings for multiple devices on networks.

While there are times and places for manual settings, I always say if someone can't explain both why they need things to be set by hand, and what each setting actually does (and by all means experiment if wanting to learn about stuff), they should probably be using automatic settings almost all of the time.

If someone has a device that can reliably issue DHCP, DNS, MTU, NTP and other information to a network when asked it seems strange not to use it.

Yes and you can always use the router to set fixed local IPs for devices if you really need to and that is usually doubtful unless you are running a server at home.

Did you configure Windows �Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties� with �Use the following IP address� and not �Obtain an IP address automatically�.

Yes I did this but it didn't make any difference.

Enter manually the Virgin Media DNS server settings into your Super Hub router (If you can)

This setting doesn't appear to be on my Superhub settings page.

Overall I'm happy as things stand. I've turned off the Superhub's wireless and there's no lag now. Seems to be working fine. Thanks again