Zen ISP setup on OpenWRT

Hello,

I have been searching for information on how to setup my OpenWRT router when I change from Virgin Media as an ISP to Zen ISP (UK)'s FTTP service with CityFibre infrastructure, without success. The OpenWRT ISP configuration site seems give guidance for those who have a DSL service with ZEN, but not for FTTP installations. Zen ISP, understandably, only gives advice on the router they provide. Currently, I am with Virgin Media and my topology looks like this: VM Hub 4 in bridge mode -> x86 router with OpenWRT(22.03) installed and Adguard as DHCP and DNS backends -> Belkin RT3200 on a OpenWRT snapshot build as a DumbAP providing Wi-Fi.

I am assuming that all I have to do is change my current Interface WAN protocol to PPPOE , enter the IPV4 and 6 addresses and enter my ZEN ISP customer credentials where needed. That seems straight forward enough for me, but I have a feeling that I might be missing something. Any guidance from those who have successfully setup their OpenWRT routers for ZEN ISP will be welcome.

I don’t know any OpenWRT specifics, but you need to specify VLAN 911 (I think…) and your PPP details. You don’t need to specify your IP details. They will be handed out via PPP.

You are right, it seems like if CityFibre forms the backbone of Zen's infrastructure, you do have to add a VLAN tag of 911 to the 'WAN' device of OpenWRT. This can be done by accessing the LuCI GUI and accessing the network->interfaces->devices tab (OpenWRT 22.03). Without it, no data will flow. At the time of writing, my understanding is that OpenReach (another ZEN ISP infrastructure provider) does not require you to add these VLAN tags.

Edited by MajorMeerket (Thu 06-Apr-23 07:38:12)