Super Hub 3 / OPNsense & Max-CPE

Hello Guys

Okay so I'll explain this a little bit. I have an OPNsense Virtual Machine and an HP T610 SFF (acting as a backup) with OPNsense all with the exact same NICs and settings. I'm on the 350/35 tier with a Super Hub 3. Additionally I have a small script running on a Raspberry PI that pings the VM every five mins, if no response is received it sends a WOL packet to the SFF booting it up. I work offshore, and so if my server with it's VMs crashes, I need a working connection to restart them.

Now apparently the Super Hub 3 has a setting built in called "Max-CPE" which means it will only pass the WAN IP to 1 MAC address and one only unless the SH3 is rebooted. This presents a problem for me as when the SFF boots. even though the VM is offline, the SH3 will not pass the WAN IP via DHCP. Even with the NIC MAC on the VM being spoofed on the SFF. This isn't any use as I have to manual reset the SH3.

I don't think there's any solution to this issue with the SH3 and so I was looking at the VOOM 3 business package. Does the Hitron router exhibit the same behaviour with "Max-CPE"?

Also the 4g backup dongle for £7 is quite attractive but can it be plugged into any device or are you forced into attaching it to the Hitron? Does the Hitron have to be in router mode too as i'll be running it in Modem mode?

Sorry but I cannot be of any help regarding the equipment you are using, however are you over thinking this? I have a PC that I use for my CCTV which is on 24/7, but every now and then it will lock up, so all I did was use a Kasa smartplug onto the PC, so as long as my home wifi stays up, then I can remotely turn off the plug and turn in back on (BIOS is set to switch PC back on if power available).

I have considered using the Pi to power cycle a smart plug, tbh that is going over kill. The SH3 should just issue the WAN IP without rebooting. It's just another example of junk tech from Virgin tbh.

I use VM in a business setting and they always recommend rebooting the modem first then the router afterwards.

Thanks
Dan

As soon as you have modem mode you are limited to one CPE (ie MAC address) which needs to then do your network management.

It sounds as if your virtual router is the issue, not the single MAC limit.

Some people report issues with the GRE tunnels on the business service; so some searching.

The VM isn't the issue, it's the SFF bare metal machine. When the Pi detects the VM has went offline after 5 mins it sends the WOL packet which boots up the SFF. At this time there's no router on the network. Logically the SH3 should then allow the SFF to be the router as the VMs NIC is dead.

It doesn't without a power cycle.

If I boot the VM up again, WAN IP no problem.

Edited by mrjay84 (Tue 22-Mar-22 20:09:50)

My guess is the delay in booting the VM means the hub gets some ARP’s from the physical hardware. Not sure any virtualisation platform is really suitable for this usage. You’re going to hit the same problem.

I've tried two psychical machines in the same config. SH3 simply refuses to give out the WAN IP.

More on this here https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/QuickStart-set-...

I wonder if a static IP is the way to go as then there's nothing to the SH3's DHCP client to hand out?

Nothing to do with IP (layer 3) this is at layer 2.

If you have multiple devices on a switch plugged into the Hub 3 and the Hub 3 is in modem mode you will get this problem. The hub is detecting the first layer 2 device attached via port 1.

Only option is one device, direct Ethernet from port 1 on hub to the device. Any other configuration is going to be intermittent.

You can’t do failover networking with the hub 3 in modem mode.

In router mode you can have as many devices connected as you like.

Edited by jchamier (Tue 22-Mar-22 21:06:34)

Granted, both machines are able to get a WAN IP from all ports on the SH3, I've tested this out, It just needs a power cycle to pick up the other machine as theres no NIC connection when either is off.

Anyway...is the Hitron the same?