Routers

outlaw777

Hey Im thinking of buying this new router https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/linksys-mr8300-ac2200-tri-band-mesh-wi-fi-router-ps9999-prime-3676260 
However I have a home router from Virgin at the moment is it easy to swap over routers say to this new one in the link?

[Deleted User]

Easy to do but you don't swap out your Virgin hub, instead you change it to "modem mode" and connect the new router via ethernet to the Virgin hub. There will be a "WAN" port on the new router which must be used to connect to the Virgin Hub. 

To do this, go into the virgin media settings page on 192.168.0.1 and you should see the screen below. When you have done this, the router reboots and it is ready for the new router to be plugged into it.  If you have any other ethernet devices connected to the hub, remove them and connect them to the new router.

When this is all done, the virgin hub will now reside at 192.168.100.1 if you want to access the web interface.


If you have any trouble, try factory resetting the Virgin Hub and then setting back to modem mode, some people report issues with the process that need to full reset.

As soon as you get the new router running, check for firmware updates and apply them and do a full factory reset on the new router before configuring for your use.

[Deleted User]

I also noticed the new router is tri-band which is excellent for getting the most from your internet but can take a bit of config to get it working how you want. You have two main options:

1. Different SSID for each of the 3 bands (2.4 Ghz and 2x 5Ghz) so you can choose which devices connect to which band. Typically slow IoT / Smart devices / old devices on the 2.4Ghz and then split your other faster devices evenly over the other two 5Ghz bands, maybe slower 802.11n devices on one and faster 802.11ac on the other if that works for you or just try to split the load in terms of bandwidth usage. If you have a gamer in the house on wifi, maybe dedicate one of the 5Ghz bands to them.

2. One single SSID and use the Smart Connect band steering feature in the router to steer each device to the preferred band. 

I prefer the second option on my tri-band router, works flawlessly.

outlaw777

Thanks very much for the help however this seems way too technical for me to do myself, do you have any youtube examples please?

jefaz07

It’s easy. I just set mine up and being with virgin i had to set to modem mode. 

I got the TP-Link Deco M4 and its superb. 

Over 200mb in the bedrooms. 

Look here;

https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Networking-and-WiFi/Super-hub-3-and-TP-link-deco-m5/td-p/4265830

[Deleted User]

Yes, Virgin have their own video to explain how to set up modem mode:

https://youtu.be/Nq7Q8mkG2wY

and a helpful page

https://www.virginmedia.com/help/virgin-media-hub-modem-mode

I've assumed you have the hub 3 but there are instructions for other version on the Virgin website link I gave above.

Don't worry about my second post for now about tri-band setup, just concentrate on getting this set up, your new router will come with quick start instructions to get you going in a few clicks and you'll be back online in minutes.