Help - upgraded from copper Cable 50gb (Eir) to Virgin Fibre broadband

DFS UTD · 07-04-2025 08:00PM #1

hi

As title above - I’ve switched to Virgin fibre optic broadband. My issue is the the provided Virgin sagecom modem doesn’t support my Tenda Nova MW3 mesh WiFi system.

I thought there was an issue with the Virgin modems Ethernet ports but a Virgin broadband engineer came out and said he checked the Ethernet ports and said they are working. He offered no support or advice as to how to get my mesh system working with the Virgin modem. Actually he was downright rude and unhelpful.

So I’m looking for advice from the experts here (please) - is there any way I can connect the Tenda nova mw3 mesh or is it straight not compatible?

would it be the same if I upgraded my Tenda Mesh to MW6 ?

I’m at a loss really - Virgin are the only available option for fibre broadband - but it’s useless if it won’t work with my mesh network

I’m not a tech guru so but I’ve been reading about bridges / modem mode etc - doesn’t really mean anything to me 👀

please help

User567363 · 07-04-2025 08:39PM

A mesh wifi system should work with any network cable that has internet, the isps contractor cant waste time on your mesh system, they have about 8 houses to do per day, dont put them under that presssure

Your tenda mesh system might be setup with a static ip, or toconnect to a router in bridge mode

Maybe best to factory reset all tenda devices and set it up again from scratch

DFS UTD · 08-04-2025 08:27AM

Thanks for the reply - but I didn’t expect him set up the mesh - he just said it isn’t compatible and didn’t offer any alternatives

the Tenda Mesh mw3 worked with the old Eir copper cable broadband (50gb)

I’ve tried to play with the settings on Tenda but still nothing worked

Now I have fibre optic broadband in 3 rooms only - nothing upstairs and sons PlayStation in sitting room lagging constantly on new virgin broadband cos not plugged into mesh system.

I’m at a loss - tried ringing Virgin support yesterday - was holding for 45 mins before I had to leave it

I’m going to cancel today - if I get through 👀

Glaceon · 08-04-2025 08:31AM

ISPs won't support anything that they didn't install themselves. While you might have been told that it's "not compatible", it's more like "we can't help you with it, you're on your own".

NotShero · 08-04-2025 09:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058405423/help-upgraded-from-copper-cable-50gb-eir-to-virgin-fibre-broadband

If it's Virgin Media's coax network, the Hub would need to be placed in "Modem Mode". Head to 192.168.0.1 on a web browser and the option is on the list on the left once logged in. I don't see why it wouldn't work once it's in modem mode, maybe a factory reset of the Tenda mesh after you place the Hub in modem mode.

If it's Virgin Media's FTTP network, you need to call Virgin and ask to enable IPv4 for "Modem Mode" to show up. People have mentioned it can take up to 24hrs but it's usually up to an hour. Then once enabled, plug Tenda into Port 4 (10Gbps). Then you need to get the MAC address of the Virgin Media Hub, which is printed on the sticker on the Hub, and put it into the MAC Address Clone on the Tenda.

DFS UTD · 09-04-2025 09:55AM

update

Virgin provided IPV4 access

So I was able to connect the Tenda Mesh system - though speeds are very inconsistent.

I’ve tried to access 192.168.0.1 but it comes up ‘cannot access server’- is there any chance it could have a different 192.168 number ? When I look at the settings on Tenda there’s a different 192.168 number.

Once I get access I’ll try and switch to the 10gb port and input the MAC to see if that improves the speed.

maybe though my mesh system is failing ?

NotShero · 09-04-2025 11:17AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123340101#Comment_123340101

Oh yeah just go to whichever 192.168 that’s listed on the Tenda, I meant to say that was just an example. It should be listed on the sticker on the main Tenda aswell. The last number should be 0, 1 or 254.

Nody · 09-04-2025 11:27AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123340101#Comment_123340101

Click on your windows button and write "CMD" and press enter; this will open a dos prompt window (black window with white text)
Type "ipconfig" and press enter
It will display the "Default gateway" with a xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx IP adress

That's what you want to connect to to get the current first unit (model/Tenda etc.) that the PC is connecting to.

MarkR · 09-04-2025 11:33AM

Your tenda should be able to act as a subnetwork of your virgin media device. Your VM box is on 192.168.0.1. I'd connect the tenda device to one of the VM box ethernet ports, and go through the initial setup of the tenda box. You might have static addresses listed in the tenda device which are incorrect. The tenda I think will have an ip in a different range, like 192.168.1.1. That should be fine, just set the main tenda device to get it's ip from 192.168.0.1, and either set up an external dns like google or cloudflare (8.8.8.8 / 1.1.1.1). Then connect by another cable to the tenda, and make sure your internet is working. After that, you're just setting up the wifi and the mesh network.

NotShero · 09-04-2025 12:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123340420#Comment_123340420

The Virgin Media Hub is not reachable by any IP Address once in "Modem Mode". As long as the Tenda is set up to be in router mode it will be able to be reached by it's default IP address. You would have double NAT if the Virgin Media Hub wasn't placed in "Modem Mode" and the Tenda was connected to it, still in it's router mode, which just causes issues.

But @DFS UTD you could place your Tenda in Access Point mode - https://www.tendacn.com/in/faq/3269.html

If the Tenda was in access point mode then you disable modem mode on the Virgin Media Hub and just leave it at it's default settings, connecting the Tenda to it. You might want to disable the WiFi (2.4Ghz & 5Ghz) on the Virgin Media Hub, so they don't interfere with your existing mesh.

DFS UTD · 09-04-2025 02:11PM

sorry for all the questions

I’m in the Virgin modem settings now

How do I change the IPV4 settings to modem mode

Currently I’m in DHCP

And the DHCPv4 server is ticked as enabled - should that be ticked ‘disabled’ does that switch the IPv4 to modem mode?

NotShero · 09-04-2025 02:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123340949#Comment_123340949

I’m not quite sure what you mean? If the Virgin Media Hub is in modem mode it won’t be accessible from an IP address anymore. Once it’s in modem mode you log onto your Tenda through its IP address located on the sticker on the main Tenda node, where you just enter the Clone MAC Address of the Virgin Media Hub.

You’ve asked Virgin Media to enable IPv4 so the Modem Mode option shows up within the Hub’s settings, you’ve said you already put the Virgin Media Hub into Modem Mode so it’s just a case of entering the MAC address on the Tenda. The light on the Hub will be green, not white, if it’s in Modem Mode.

I’ll attach a video of how to put the Hub into Modem Mode -

https://youtu.be/O3QipJtSk8Y?si=RJB0eeTp_7lBa053

DFS UTD · 09-04-2025 08:35PM

I don’t appear to have the same options on the VM hub5 log in screen as what’s in the video

NotShero · 09-04-2025 09:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123342127#Comment_123342127

Is Modem Mode setting missing? If it is missing, Virgin Media didn’t enable IPv4 for you.

You might be better off putting your Tenda into Access Point mode instead, it’s more straightforward - https://www.tendacn.com/in/faq/3269.html

NotShero · 09-04-2025 09:48PM

@DFS UTD I’ve heard of someone pushing the reset button on the Hub while plugging out the fibre cable and leaving it disconnected and once reset going to 192.168.0.1 and apparently Modem Mode showed up once the fibre wasn’t connected so they enabled Modem Mode, the hub restarted and the green light was on so they then could reconnect the fibre cable and plug in their router.

But still as i said Access Point mode on the Tenda might be just less hassle for you and should work no problem alongside the Hub - https://www.tendacn.com/in/faq/3269.html

Help - upgraded from copper Cable 50gb (Eir) to Virgin Fibre broadband

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