Virgin Media user considering migrating to Vodafone - Help with technical information needed

caquino

Hi,

I've been using Virgin Media as my broadband provider for the past 10 years and am considering moving to Vodafone. Still, I have some questions that I tried to ask on their support chat, and the person answering didn't make me confident they were sure about it so that I would like some help.

I appreciate any information you can provide!

As far as I understand, my region is not covered by SIRO and is using Open EIR FTTH. I'm located in Central Park (D18)

Considering my understanding is correct, Vodafone will install an ONT and a router in my house, and I have some questions about it.

• I have the Virgin Media modem configured in bridge mode on my current setup, which is connected to my UDM-Pro WAN port.
  • Can I connect the ONT directly to my UDM-Pro WAN port? If so I understand they offer the 2gbit plan here, can I add a 10Gbit SFP+ to my UDM and use it as my WAN port? I know no single device can use more than 1gbit because of the gigabit LAN, but multiple devices could reach 2gbit. The 10Gbit SFP+ does not negotiate lower speeds, only 10Gbit on the UDM-Pro. That is why I'm interested in knowing the physical link speed of the ONT. Also, the interface is copper and not fibre, correct? The fibre is terminated on the ONT.
• Is my understanding correct that on the configuration side, I need to configure a default VLAN ID on my WAN interface and a PPPoE interface?
• When you change Virgin's Media modem to bridge, you lose IPv6. Using Vodafone, can I use both IPv4 and IPv6 over the PPPoE interface?
• I also have an LTE Pro from Ubiquiti. Can I use Vodafone SIM as a backup if I order the always-connected package?
• I also have a Virgin Media landline connected to the Virgin Media router on the telephone port. Will I be able to migrate this to Vodafone? If I do so, am I forced to use their modem to connect the phone, or can I use a VoIP phone/software on the UDM-Pro LAN?

Thanks in advance!

Glaceon

I have the Virgin Media modem configured in bridge mode on my current setup, which is connected to my UDM-Pro WAN port.
Can I connect the ONT directly to my UDM-Pro WAN port? If so I understand they offer the 2gbit plan here, can I add a 10Gbit SFP+ to my UDM and use it as my WAN port? I know no single device can use more than 1gbit because of the gigabit LAN, but multiple devices could reach 2gbit. The 10Gbit SFP+ does not negotiate lower speeds, only 10Gbit on the UDM-Pro. That is why I'm interested in knowing the physical link speed of the ONT. Also, the interface is copper and not fibre, correct? The fibre is terminated on the ONT.
Is my understanding correct that on the configuration side, I need to configure a default VLAN ID on my WAN interface and a PPPoE interface?

Yes you can, you can disconnect the Vodafone router and connect the ONT to your UDM-Pro. You need to configure the WAN with a VLAN ID and PPPoE credentials. The VLAN ID is 10 and the username is usually vodafone@vodafone.ie with the password broadband. Some use the serial number lifted directly from the Vodafone router but I've found this to be unnecessary. I don't know the link speed of the 2Gb ONT though.

When you change Virgin's Media modem to bridge, you lose IPv6. Using Vodafone, can I use both IPv4 and IPv6 over the PPPoE interface?

Most Irish ISPs don't support IPv6, Vodafone don't. The only ones I know of that do are Eir, Virgin Media and Blacknight.

I also have an LTE Pro from Ubiquiti. Can I use Vodafone SIM as a backup if I order the always-connected package?

I'd presume so but have no experience with this.

I also have a Virgin Media landline connected to the Virgin Media router on the telephone port. Will I be able to migrate this to Vodafone? If I do so, am I forced to use their modem to connect the phone, or can I use a VoIP phone/software on the UDM-Pro LAN?

You should be able to port the number over, but you'll need to use the Vodafone-provided router for the phone service as they won't provide you with the SIP credentials. Most people connect a switch between the ONT and routers to get around this, but that could be complicated or expensive if 2Gb is involved.

caquino

Thank you @Glaceon !

I just ordered a couple of UACC-CM-RJ45-MG, which supports 10 / 5 / 2.5 / 1 Gbps copper on the SFP+ ports, which, in theory, should work with any offered speed by the ONT.

I also have a USW Pro 48 PoE behind the UDM Pro, so probably what I can do if I choose to keep the landline is to connect the ONT to the USW and split the USW into internal/external ports based on the VLAN as I don't use all 48 ports on my home lab, this way I can connect the modem to the USW Pro 48 and the UDM Pro WAN.

Thanks for the information! Have a great day!

pacman114

Vodafone are a terrible ISP. Avoid if it’s not too late

caquino

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123128102#Comment_123128102

Hi @pacman114 it is not too late yet. My primary motivation to move from Virgin Media to Vodafone is cost.

I can count on my fingers how many times I have had issues with VM in the past 10 years here in my region.

Are there any issues with Vodafone or the transit company (Like Open EIR, for example)? I'm curious because if the problems are with Vodafone, I can try to check the other providers that use the Open EIR network here in my region, but if the issues are with the transit network, then it is a different problem.

caquino

I have been trying to find information about reliability issues with Vodafone and mostly what I found was people complaining about their modem, does that align with your experience or are you using your own modem?

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123129016#Comment_123129016

This is the one I was thinking of, seems they have backhaul issues at night:

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058368191/vodafone-nbi-high-latency-every-evening

caquino

That is interesting, I'm seeing also latency warning for spikes using my UDM pro on Virgin Media, but nothing that was noticeable in terms of usage, just logs on the Ubiquiti web Interface.

I wonder if it is something on the UDM or if that alert is a new functionality they added because I don't remember this being part of it while I was working for Ubiquiti (worked for them for 2 years when the first UDMs where released)

I also have an Ripe Atlas probe and I cannot correlate the latency spikes to any difference on its metrics

I see the linked post is unrelated but I was reading others in the forum with complaints and it got me thinking about it

caquino

A funny thing happened: yesterday Eir salespeople knocked on my door with a pretty good offer.

As someone who works with technology, having the Infrastructure and internet access provided by the same provider makes me feel a little better. There is no such thing as "the problem is not here," so at least it feels like a pro in terms of being supported.

I have no experience with or know anyone using OpenEir and Eir on the buildings near me to get a valid review.

Also, consistently modernising such an extensive infrastructure is almost impossible, and because of that, reviews are all over the place.

Does anyone have up-to-date information about Eir around Dublin 18 or nearby regions?

Also, it is interesting that, as far as I can tell, they provide IPv6; I could not find much information about configuring it if you have your router. I mostly saw posts about people having issues configuring it on the forum.