VM 2Gb - Modem Mode Possible?

Alan3002

Hi All,

Is it possible to get modem mode on Virgin Media 2Gb broadband? I'm still on 1Gb with them but I use my own router in Modem Mode which works flawlessly.

I have a friend who upgraded to 2Gb and he told me modem mode isn't available on the newly provided VM router which is super disappointing.

Are there any known workarounds for this?

NotShero

I’ve heard of people ringing Virgin Media and asking for IPv4 to be enabled and then within 24hrs it shows up after a reboot. You just have to clone the MAC address of the Hub 5x to the third party router then.

I’ve also heard of one person pushing the reset button on the Hub while plugging out the fibre cable and leaving it disconnected and once reset apparently Modem Mode showed up once the fibre wasn’t connected so they enabled Modem Mode and could then reconnect the fibre cable and plug in their router and clone the MAC address of the Hub then.

There’s also always the option of putting the third party router into access point mode and leaving the Hub as is, just turning off the 2.4 and 5Ghz on the Hub.

Also, if you’re on 1Gb without the Hub 5x then you are on the old coax network so if 2Gb is available for you, you would be upgraded to FTTP, which would involve a new cable being installed and the removal of the coax.

Cloning the MAC address of the Hub 5X is trivial to do - assuming the feature is available on the equipment you want to use. Don’t need to contact VM at all.

NotShero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123402986#Comment_123402986

That’s not the reason Virgin Media need to be contacted. Modem Mode won’t show up on the Hub 5x without ringing and asking for IPv4 to be enabled. Once this is done the the next step is to clone the MAC address onto the third party router.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123402991#Comment_123402991

What is your understanding of cloning the MAC address and the reason for it? You clone the MAC address in order to replace the VM hub. If you’re not removing the hub from the equation, there’s no reason or benefit to cloning its MAC address.

You clone the MAC in the settings of your own router and connect your router directly to the ONT. My VM hub has been in its box since the day it arrived.

In this regard, there’s no need or reason to contact VM.

NotShero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123408404#Comment_123408404

There is no ONT if you order Virgin Media FTTP for the first time with Virgin Media, it is integrated into the Hub 5x. The fibre goes directly into the Hub 5x.

So the Hub 5x is still needed and to use your own router you need to place it into Modem Mode first, this is missing for some reason with the Hub 5x still and to get it to show up you need to ask Virgin Media to enable IPv4.

Once you can enter Modem Mode you then need to clone the MAC address of it to your own router.

An ONT is installed if you sign up with Sky or Vodafone through Virgin Media's FTTP. This is when you can just connect to the ONT directly but people order Virgin Media's own broadband package through their access network first most of the time.

https://www.reddit.com/r/VirginMedia/comments/1bnpsnw/modem_mode_on_virgin_media_hub5_in_ireland_working

Ah, I stand corrected regarding the connection. I mistakenly assumed OP was on a type 1 ONT connection. Cheers.

Still, I fail to understand the logic in cloning the MAC of the hub onto your router in this scenario. The hub authenticates using its MAC address and it still does that in modem mode. You’re then adding a second device with the same MAC address after authentication has already completed. I accept that’s how it apparently works, it just shouldn’t be necessary.

For anyone else reading this with an ONT on the wall - bypass the hub entirely if you want to use your own router.

Edit- unless modem mode actually turns the hub into nothing more than a passive ONT? It’d make some sense in that case.

NotShero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123409115#Comment_123409115

Yeah it doesn't make any sense that the MAC address is still needed. None of this was needed on their coax service on the Hub 3 & 4, Modem Mode just was there for most people and no MAC address cloning was needed.

Yeah if there is an ONT installed much easier then, just leave it out all together. Nearly better off to just go with Sky or Vodafone if Virgin Media FTTP is available to you and you want to use your own router.