Help and advice Virgin Media wifi issue and router

Zandoni

Geodark wrote: »

To be honest you might be better buying your own wifi router and just using the virgin one in modem mode. This is what I did and I have never looked back.

Me too, I bought an Asus RT-AC66U

Debbie_Savard

I assume you're on ADSL to allow flipping ISP.

Anyhow, I've always used a 3rd party router with Virgin's kit (I'm on their cable service)

Something like the Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream AC2200 will do the biz using the latest aerial design for 5 GHz band, on wi-fi my PCs get the max speed available from the cable 50Mbps - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0727Y698S

Pdbaggett

Look into the google or BT mesh WiFi setups, they are great. Virgins superhub is terrible, stick it into modem mode and run another router. I think you are making it more complicates/problematic than it need to be. Any half decent £50+ wireless router will fix your problem.

ftsos

Hi So far your response has helped me the most. I understand from others and virgin staff that I will still need to keep the virgin router connected as a modem. if thats the case, isn't the second router I am getting just acting as a wireless access point? I am not super technical on networking so correct me if I am wrong. I want to order a WAP or a router tonight. I am fed up of the problems. I earn my livelihood by working online, so the main reason I was looking at a 3G capable router was because internert connection is very important to me. Then I realised I already owned a Hauwei E786 back when I was travelling abroad.bI forgot I owned one. So I'll get a 3G/4G data plan for that and so all I need is WAP or router for the virgin assuming it solves the issue. Can someone tell me if I am using the virgin as a modem is there any benefit to getting a router instead of a WAP?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Huawei-E5786-Wi-Fi-Wireless-Router/dp/B00UHAZVFM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1523131733&sr=1-1&keywords=HUAWEI+e5786&dpID=31cGlUDixuL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

olbas_oil wrote: »

I did some experiments wanting to replace my Virgin Superhub. I didn't have particular Wi-Fi issues, but I was very fed-up with the Virgin service dropping out, and wanted to explore 4G as a backup and perhaps alternative to Virgin.
1) Firstly I bought an ASUS RT-AC1200G from Amazon warehouse for about £40. I put the superhub into modem mode and used the Asus as the main router. I have about a dozen wireless and 5 wired (via additional switches) connections. This worked extremely well. I also bought a 4g modem usb stick for £30, and that gave acceptable speeds. My only problem was that there is no alternative firmware for the AC1200G, and I needed some accurate figures on bandwidth usage per device, to try and find a suitable data package.
2) I next bought a Huawei E5186 4G LTE router modem second hand. Very good results for 4G, and on the basis of this I gave notice to Virgin. Previously, because my only alternative was a slow ADSL, Virgin had never believed I would actually leave and so never offered me a good deal. This time they dropped from £52 to £29 for the same package - unlimited & all calls included package. So I'm staying for another year and have put the modem up for sale.
3) But I still wanted a router that would give me excellent performance as well as management data, so I bought an RT-AC87U. That is working well, but I don't think the Wi-Fi is any better/worse than the AC1200.

In your position (if you don't need the alternative firmware and management), and if you are staying with Virgin, I'd buy the AC1200 (it was as cheap as £35 on warehouse recently) with a 4G LTE dongle.

ChuckMountain

ftsos wrote: »

Hi So far your response has helped me the most. I understand from others and virgin staff that I will still need to keep the virgin router connected as a modem. if thats the case, isn't the second router I am getting just acting as a wireless access point? I am not super technical on networking so correct me if I am wrong. I want to order a WAP or a router tonight. I am fed up of the problems. I earn my livelihood by working online, so the main reason I was looking at a 3G capable router was because internert connection is very important to me. Then I realised I already owned a Hauwei E786 back when I was travelling abroad.bI forgot I owned one. So I'll get a 3G/4G data plan for that and so all I need is WAP or router for the virgin assuming it solves the issue. Can someone tell me if I am using the virgin as a modem is there any benefit to getting a router instead of a WAP?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Huawei-E5786-Wi-Fi-Wireless-Router/dp/B00UHAZVFM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1523131733&sr=1-1&keywords=HUAWEI+e5786&dpID=31cGlUDixuL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Have a try at my questions before as that might help us resolve some issues without spending too much money. You might also buy stuff without it solving the problem so you do need to do some quick checks. It could well be changes at your neighbours that are screwing yours up

I can understand why you want a 2nd internet as I was in the same boat VM used to go down more often than I care for and so I had a second hard line in this case which I used on a router with dual links. If the main one failed it "seamlessly" failed me over on to the backup one.

A home router provided from BT or VM is a bit misleading as it has more than a traditional network router would have and usually has the following features

1) Modem - To convert a computer ethernet signal to either ADSL\VDSL for BT network or DOCIS for VirginMedia
2) Router - to know how to route from one network to the next i.e. from your home network to the ISP network and the greater interent
3) Firewall - make sure nothing untoward gets in (or out) from your network - protection against bad things.
4) Switch - allow usually up to 4 hard wired network connections for your home network
5) Wireless Access Point (WAP) - allow wireless clients to connect to home network

Generally the all in one box has all 5 built in (sometimes BT supply 1 in its own box)

In answer to your question do I need a WAP or a Router.

If you put the VM in Modem Only mode you need a router as your VM loses parts 2 - 5 of the above.

This allows you to get a router of your choice, it will need an Ethernet WAN port but after that its your choice, get build in 3/4G if you want.

If you want just a WAP you can disable only the WiFi on the VM router and hardwire the WAP to the VM router.

The link from Amazon is a standalone 3/4G hotspot. With this you don't plug it into your network you would just connect to whatever WiFi network it was broadcasting and your Apple laptop would connect through to the Internet via 3/4G. If you wanted to buy it then you could change Wireless networks if your internet went down. It seems expensive though...

ftsos

Hi ChuckMountain,


I am looking to buy the Ubiquiti Unifi UAP AC Pro AP/Hotspot. Since you recommended them, can I ask if you have any direct experience with this product or brand as I have never heard of the brand before?

Secondly, I am looking to get the Pro version, the more expensive model. However, they are getting a new model out on 12 April, in a few days time on Amazon, and I am looking to get the new model instead, and I put the link below. It just looks like the same thing but just a newer model. Would you advise against buying the new model for any reason?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B079DSTX99/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1CSD37BFGDG5P&psc=1

ChuckMountain wrote: »

Ok so its down to the WiFi just to clarify as I don't think I have seen it yet are the problems speed related, drop out etc.

Before spending your money its better to check out a few other things first, apologies if you already have but double check

1) Is the router in the same location as your previous one or is the VM cable coming in somewhere else?
2) Where is it ?
3) What network are you connecting to the 2.4GHz or 5GHz and what channels are these running on?
4) What speed connection from VM are you paying for?
5) Why do you want 3G/4G capability ?
6) Have you used any network software scanners to check what channels are being used. As you are in central London the airwaves can be oversubscribed. A neighbour's setup can interfere with yours etc. If you are using the same change it to a different channel to see if the issue still persists.
7) Which VM router do you have?

Doing this will help you regardless of what route you go down.

If you go down the other router route, you still need to use the VM router as no other routers in the UK are currently able to connect to VM's service. You put the SuperHub in modem only mode and then connect to new modem.

Alternatively you can buy a Wireless Access Point such as these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UBIQUITI-NETWORKS-UBI-UAP-AC-PRO-5Ghz-1300Mbps/dp/B016XYQ3WK/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1522852913&sr=1-1&keywords=unifi

or the slightly cheaper one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ubiquiti-Networks-UAP-AC-LITE-Access-Point/dp/B016K4GQVG/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1522852913&sr=1-2&keywords=unifi

That will give you good wireless access without changing the router etc. You can have these at a more central location or even have more than one to give you really good coverage.

ftsos

I didn't see your reply before posting the above reply. Anyway, I will do further tests like you have suggested. However, if the WAP I buy doesn't solve the problem I can return it under the 14 day returns policy and try some other route.

I have already eliminated the fact that cabled is always good. And that the wireless signal interrups less than 3m away. I know that because thats the distance between the router and my Apple TV. And the previous router had roughly the same distance and it had no issues. I also know the previous router was a cheap one from Plusnet and the speeds were "supposed" to be far lower, but it still meant that Plusnet broadband wifi was stable. So even without being an IT expert through a process of elimination and deduction everything points to the current router and its wireless issue or an interference from a neighbour or some other device. Now if its an interference I can eliminate that once I get a WAP if the issue is still there. All other ways are too costly and too time consuming.

ChuckMountain wrote: »

Have a try at my questions before as that might help us resolve some issues without spending too much money. You might also buy stuff without it solving the problem so you do need to do some quick checks. It could well be changes at your neighbours that are screwing yours up

I can understand why you want a 2nd internet as I was in the same boat VM used to go down more often than I care for and so I had a second hard line in this case which I used on a router with dual links. If the main one failed it "seamlessly" failed me over on to the backup one.

A home router provided from BT or VM is a bit misleading as it has more than a traditional network router would have and usually has the following features

1) Modem - To convert a computer ethernet signal to either ADSL\VDSL for BT network or DOCIS for VirginMedia
2) Router - to know how to route from one network to the next i.e. from your home network to the ISP network and the greater interent
3) Firewall - make sure nothing untoward gets in (or out) from your network - protection against bad things.
4) Switch - allow usually up to 4 hard wired network connections for your home network
5) Wireless Access Point (WAP) - allow wireless clients to connect to home network

Generally the all in one box has all 5 built in (sometimes BT supply 1 in its own box)

In answer to your question do I need a WAP or a Router.

If you put the VM in Modem Only mode you need a router as your VM loses parts 2 - 5 of the above.

This allows you to get a router of your choice, it will need an Ethernet WAN port but after that its your choice, get build in 3/4G if you want.

If you want just a WAP you can disable only the WiFi on the VM router and hardwire the WAP to the VM router.

The link from Amazon is a standalone 3/4G hotspot. With this you don't plug it into your network you would just connect to whatever WiFi network it was broadcasting and your Apple laptop would connect through to the Internet via 3/4G. If you wanted to buy it then you could change Wireless networks if your internet went down. It seems expensive though...

ChuckMountain

Yes I own one of the AC Pros and its given a far better WiFi signal then anything else I have owned.

Not sure what you mean about new model as couldn't see anything mentioning that the model above it is the UAP-HD and that is double the price.

You need to make sure you get the one with the Power over Ethernet (POE) adaptor. That allows you to plug a little dongle inline with the ethernet cable that powers the WAP, hence you only need one cable to it and can mount it somewhere out of the way. They sell without in case you have another source.

The only thing as far as I know is that you need to install the controller software to configure it and that did require Java on your machine. You only need to do this once or if you need to make changes.

Alternatively you buy their cloud controller but that is another £70.

RumRat

Are you operating the VM router on 2Ghz or 5Ghz WiFi? I'm guessing 2Ghz If that is correct try a change to 5GHz if your equipment will take it.

System

ftsos wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I have tested it cabled its fine. All my devices are Macs, and they are the new Macs, so they don't have ethernet without using an adapter. Plus I have gadgets.

Secondly, all the broadband companies before virgin had no wifi issues. I have lived at the house for more than 15 years. Its a house in Central London so internet coverage is good.
.

So there's nothing wrong with the router. Change the channel so its not on the same channel as other wifi networks in your immediate area. Best of luck on 2.4Ghz in London though.

I've done work at clients in central London, I'd hardly call the internet access and speeds there stellar. At one client it was so bad I used my mobile phone.