nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

UPC Cisco EPC3925: Enabling True Bridge Mode - A Simple How-to Guide

DECEiFER

Hi folks,

As the thread's title suggests, this is for those of you who'd like to stick their Cisco EPC3925 modem/router devices from UPC into true Bridge mode without DMZ'ing and double NAT'ing. I have been unsatisfied with the not being able to enable it since day one. This is the solution for everyone who would prefer not to use the EPC3925's thin and terrible routing functions by using another router of your own choosing to handle all of that for you while not having to DMZ or double NAT to get it to work.

The questions that are probably on your mind is how can it be done and is it safe? The answer to both is simply: yes, 100%. I'm posting this right now from my EPC3925 bridged with my WNDR3700v1! The best and re-assuring part is: doing this won't break your phone service like it did with the EPC2425. Myself and some other users have tested the phone service while in Bridge mode, both making and receiving calls, and it was 100% successful without any issues or delays in connecting the calls. However, if you want to go back to Router mode for whatever reason, you can do so at any time just as easily as you enabled Bridge mode (see the IMPORTANT NOTE at the bottom of this post).

The fact is, I had a feeling that UPC might have been lazy about removing the functionality and it's true, they half-assed it. They simply hid the functionality by removing some client-side code from the Management page, but the ASP server-side code is still intact. I haven't seen the server-side code as I haven't hacked the device to dump the firmware. I had a suspicion and I went about trying to prove it. It could just as easily gone the other way as far as I was concerned at the time. The solution then is simple; replace the client-side HTML code that was removed! Don't worry, I'll explain how to do it properly. Please keep reading...

I spent time fannying around with different HTML code possibilities and looking at the language JavaScript file (lang.js) instantiated in the HTML headers. The process involved a bit of trial and error, is all. If my efforts had failed, I had considered going onto Whirlpool.com.au to ask BigPond cable broadband subscribers in Australia to post their Management page's HTML source before giving up! BigPond uses (or has used) the EPC3925 also and their firmware does not have the Bridge mode option hidden.

So, just for reference only, this is similar to the code that was removed by UPC:
[html]
<div id="WorkingMode">
<table class="std">
<tr>
<td nowrap width="95">
<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript">
dw(vbcontype2);
</script>
</td>
<td>
<select name="working_mode" size="1" id="working_mode" onchange="selectWorkingMode()">
<option name="router" value=0><script language="javascript" type="text/javascript">dw(vbencap4);</script>
<option name="bridged" value=1><script language="javascript" type="text/javascript">dw(vbencap5);</script>
</select>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>[/html]

Below I have written up a step-by-step guide on how to make Bridge mode happen. It'll take only a moment or two to get through all of the steps.

!!! REMEMBER !!!
Please be reminded that after setting the EPC3925 into Bridge mode, UPC's phone service will continue to work as it always has. This has been tried and tested and the problems facing the EPC2425 in Bridge mode were not carried over to the EPC3925. I'm reiterating this here for anyone who may have skimmed over the first few paragraphs of this post.

Prerequisite:
- A web browser or browser extension that is capable of live manipulation of a website's HTML source code (Opera is my browser of choice for this task)

Guide:
1. Connect to the EPC3925's web configuration using Ethernet and disable all routing functions (DHCP, Wireless, Firewall, DMZ, UPnP, and any active port forwards) just to be safe. Wireless at the very least, won't get disabled automatically when the device is put into Bridge mode.
2. Navigate to the Administration > Management page and view the page's source code.
3. Copy the new HTML code in full, which I have provided at: http://pastebin.com/W0eQy7mM.
4. Select all the HTML code in the EPC3925's Management page source and paste in the new HTML code to replace it (don't worry, it's not a permanent change - it will revert back once you refresh - this won't void your warranty!).
5. Apply the changes and switch back to the EPC3925's Management page's tab, where you should now see a new menu called "Working Mode" at the top.
6. Select "Bridged Only" and then Apply.
7. Your EPC3925 should then reboot automatically to effect the changes. When it comes back up, it'll be in Bridge mode. You can now navigate to the web configuration using http://192.168.100.1.
8. Set your own cable router to bridge with the EPC3925 and you should then be online. You're on your own on this one as every router is different!

That's it! Again, if you're having trouble, I suggest you use Opera to do this as it's perfect for the job and it's really easy. If you're still having trouble, hit me with a PM with as much details as possible about the problem(s) you're having and with what you have tried (if anything) to remedy them, and I'd be happy to help.

Just to explain a bit further: the concept behind the HTML code is that it adds more POST data to the form on the Management page, POST data that was there before UPC took it away, which the ASP server-side code still checks for; that is why it is possible to enable Bridge mode without resorting to hacking the device to install custom firmware and therefore risk bricking it. We're not adding the functionality back, we're just bringing it out of hiding. This is 100% safe and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to use their own cable router.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you want to revert back to Router mode for whatever reason, you can do this using one of two methods.

Method 1: Repeat the steps above from scratch and switch back to "Router Mode" via the "Working Mode" menu (this will put you right back where you started with your previous custom settings intact).
Method 2: Perform a hard reset by sticking a pin into that "Reset" hole at the back of the device (you'll lose all your previous custom settings by using this method).

Here's a few images showing the "Working Mode" menu back with a bang! You'll also see my WNDR3700v1 getting the public IP dynamically from the ISP, whereas using a static LAN IP was necessary when DMZ'ing and double NAT'ing, to ensure a direct path to the Internet through the EPC3925's DMZ. The last image shows the Voice page when in Bridge mode with everything looking normal and operational for phone users.

Find more posts tagged with

upc

bridge

bridging

mode

epc3925

Quick Links

Comments

Calibos

When bridging is disabled, what exactly to I have to do with my Asus RT66u and Cisco to get the network back up and running?

Snake Plisken

Yes so we are where we are at the moment, what is the best temporary alternative configuration to keep third party routers up and running? I know you can just turn off dhcp and turn off the wifi on the Cisco and basically use your expensive router as an access point, but what about segmentation of the network would this work? Any downsides?

[Deleted User]

Snake Plisken wrote: »

Yes so we are where we are at the moment, what is the best temporary alternative configuration to keep third party routers up and running? I know you can just turn off dhcp and turn off the wifi on the Cisco and basically use your expensive router as an access point, but what about segmentation of the network would this work? Any downsides?

You really only have two options here:

1 - double NAT the Cisco with your own router, or
2 - Disable the routing on your router and just use it as an access point

ThisRegard

BK has a pretty good write up on what to do in the first post on this thread
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057367191

As I said, that's the method I've been using (including the set up of the DMZ) for quite a while now and I have no issues whatsoever. I have a main network within the house and a secondary running on Wireless homeplugs in a building away from the main house, all connected via my own router connected to Virgins.

I don't suffer any network fragmentation or slow down, it's as smooth as silk basically for my needs.

Alun

Can anybody confirm if the DMZ option mentioned in the above guide still exists on the EPC3925 after the recent changes?

jmcy

Hi YES DMZ still works, see

www_.boards_.ie/ttfpost/97554440

remove underscores '_'

ThisRegard

It still works on the Technicolor too. Had a power cut yesterday so it rebooted anyway and everything is still fine now.

stanley1

Have the 3925, if I unplug it and replug will it still retain bridge mode.

TIA

degsie

stanley1 wrote: »

Have the 3925, if I unplug it and replug will it still retain bridge mode.

TIA

You have read the last couple of pages in the thread, right?

Answer: you lose bridging if you reboot.

ED E

We've only had a few reports of users who can't bridge anymore. Would be slow to claim a total national change in CMTS config.

roast

Yeah, mine rebooted last Sunday morning out of nowhere. It retained bridge mode when it came back up, still running the same firmware also. This issue doesn't seem to affecting everyone, but it's hard to judge what the parameters are.

moonboy52

roast wrote: »

Yeah, mine rebooted last Sunday morning out of nowhere. It retained bridge mode when it came back up, still running the same firmware also. This issue doesn't seem to affecting everyone, but it's hard to judge what the parameters are.

Did the issue not start to happen midweek though?

Alun

moonboy52 wrote: »

Did the issue not start to happen midweek though?

I think so ... I'm not going to volunteer to test out that theory though

[Deleted User]

My personal opinion is that those who are still bridged just haven't rebooted their modems or lost sync since the change was made. Seems it happened on Tuesday or Wednesday.

roast

moonboy52 wrote: »

Did the issue not start to happen midweek though?

I definitely know of one other person who's router rebooted at around the same time, but in fact was affected post-reboot. Not sure if his firmware changed (I'd assume so) but his settings sure did.

Karsini wrote: »

My personal opinion is that those who are still bridged just haven't rebooted their modems or lost sync since the change was made. Seems it happened on Tuesday or Wednesday.

I'd agree with you there. Not going to chance rebooting just yet!

scamalert

HI all,not sure if its right place but will give it a try,basically the cisco epc3925 is piece of crap of a router,since every-time id be using streaming or torrents,minute i close application slowly internet speed drops to eventually dropping connection across all devices-all wireless,no cables.only solution is to go into router and reset from there,or do it manually which is total pain in the but.

Now i think it has to do with routers NAT table overflowing from all incoming connections thus if one is doing downloads rest are loosing bandwidth,and i think its 5 minutes or so before table is cleared otherwise,but even with that it cant handle couple hundred nodes connecting instantly.

and wireless speed in general is pure crap having decent long range wifi cards i cant still get more then 50MBps on supposed 240 line.now being ancient router having internal antenna is useless.

So looking at advice is there any other type router that could manage proper loads on coaxial connection and would it work with upc.

Or should i be looking at router-switch-router setup,since cant get cables across the house thus wireless is only option.

Feel silly posting such questions since doing ccna course and should know basics by now,but haven't progressed far enough where bridge mode or similar options would be covered

While i know torrents and such could be limited on application side,but it seems router depending on users gets easily overloaded,and speed option is real downer-due to lack of proper wireless coverage.

Calibos

The issues you describe are the very reason we are all up in arms at the moment about the removal of Bridging from the EPC3925 by Virgin.

Its a dreadful stand alone modem router for the reasons you describe but ironically was the most desirable UPC/Virgin router for power users because it was the only UPC router than allowed bridging without any need for hacking.

DECEiFER

I've posted in the Talk To thread about it. Good amount of support for the cause there and it's a rippling effect because we all know that it doesn't just mean we'd be inclined to leave, we'd take others with us. Unbelievable. I won't be rebooting on purpose anytime soon but I'm not sure I'd be willing to worry about it for long so I might take off before anything even happens on my end. We don't pay them so that we can feel that stressed out about it.

[Deleted User]

DECEiFER wrote: »

I've posted in the Talk To thread about it. Good amount of support for the cause there and it's a rippling effect because we all know that it doesn't just mean we'd be inclined to leave, we'd take others with us. Unbelievable. I won't be rebooting on purpose anytime soon but I'm not sure I'd be willing to worry about it for long so I might take off before anything even happens on my end. We don't pay them so that we can feel that stressed out about it.

I'm right behind you there; we're usually on the same page about all things Virgin Media.

I'm giving them a bit of time in the hope they might undo this, but once I lose patience I'll have to look at eir or Vodafone. Bit nervous of getting a phone line in after my last nightmare in 2008, but that was in a different house. I'm literally around the corner from a VDSL cabinet now.

DECEiFER

Karsini wrote: »

I'm right behind you there; we're usually on the same page about all things Virgin Media.

I'm giving them a bit of time in the hope they might undo this, but once I lose patience I'll have to look at eir or Vodafone. Bit nervous of getting a phone line in after my last nightmare in 2008, but that was in a different house. I'm literally around the corner from a VDSL cabinet now.

I'm not too far from one either. Haven't had VDSL before. I had bad experiences when I lived in Tralee for 4-5 years while I was in the I.T. so I was always in favor of getting cable when I moved back towards home.

I think we should give a reasonable amount of time for them to reconsider, so I'm with you right there.

JoeMcD36

ThisRegard wrote: »

You can set it up as an access point from your Virgin modem. A few of us here have done it this way without using bridging and it works fine. Last place I saw one in a B&W store it was Currys.

I've never gone to the bother of bridging and it works perfect on my home network. I don't have the need, or want, to access it from outside of my home so I'm not bothered by the lack of proper bridging at the moment.

ThisRegard

Hi, I'm looking for help and I'm technically abysmal.

I just bought a C8 in an effort to improve my wireless speeds. after seeing the last few posts I assumed I'd wasted my money.

1. Are you saying that I don't need bridge mode to improve wireless. If I follow the steps in bk's sticky post will that do it?
2. also bearing in mind that I haven't a clue technically bk gives instructions in his post (step 6) on how to issue IP addresses within the required range. How do you do this with the C8.

Thanks a mill for any help

ED E

Bridge mode helps routing, wifi will work just fine without bridging.

JoeMcD36

ED E wrote: »

Bridge mode helps routing, wifi will work just fine without bridging.

So if my use case is just to improve wifi speeds for various devices in various locations in the house the C8 may still be better than the UPC Cisco router regardless of this new bridging constraint

bealtine

Karsini wrote: »

I'm giving them a bit of time in the hope they might undo this, but once I lose patience I'll have to look at eir or Vodafone. Bit nervous of getting a phone line in after my last nightmare in 2008, but that was in a different house. I'm literally around the corner from a VDSL cabinet now.

Friking retards...half my authentication stuff doesn't work.

I'm seriously pissed off and considering my options, I consider this to be a substantial change in service.

ThisRegard

JoeMcD36 wrote: »

So if my use case is just to improve wifi speeds for various devices in various locations in the house the C8 may still be better than the UPC Cisco router regardless of this new bridging constraint

Basically yes. If you have no need to access say for example your own NAS, media server etc from outside your own home the instructions in the first post is more than adequate.

Being honest I think a lot of the posts claiming that their own equipment is now redundant are an exaggeration. Yes, some rely on accessing their network outside of the home and they've valid complaints, but a lot who claim that the lack of bridging has now made their own equipment a waste of money don't really know why, other than the fact bridging is now gone.

redman

DECEiFER wrote: »

I've posted in the Talk To thread about it. Good amount of support for the cause there and it's a rippling effect because we all know that it doesn't just mean we'd be inclined to leave, we'd take others with us. Unbelievable. I won't be rebooting on purpose anytime soon but I'm not sure I'd be willing to worry about it for long so I might take off before anything even happens on my end. We don't pay them so that we can feel that stressed out about it.

Who do we go to on mass? Eir? Vodafone? ...

redman

Can anyone give me a link to a simply guide to configure the 3925 (without bridge feature) to allow me to connect another router for accessing NAs remotely and external security cameras that were configured with second router wirelessly and I cant reconfigure without ALOT of hassle?
Need a stop gap until my 30days are up or new provider in
Many thanks

Calibos

ThisRegard wrote: »

Basically yes. If you have no need to access say for example your own NAS, media server etc from outside your own home the instructions in the first post is more than adequate.

Being honest I think a lot of the posts claiming that their own equipment is now redundant are an exaggeration. Yes, some rely on accessing their network outside of the home and they've valid complaints, but a lot who claim that the lack of bridging has now made their own equipment a waste of money don't really know why, other than the fact bridging is now gone.

I don't have any IP cameras or NAS's that need to be accessed from outside the network. However my concern is whether a now non bridged Asus RT N66u router is still taking the bulk of the routing load off the Cisco EPC3925. The Cisco buckled under the load of multiple connections (Torrents, though I do also have about 30 distinct IP connected devices in inside my home) and overheated resulting in plummeting speeds and multiple connection drops a day. The day I bridged to the asus was the day this stopped and my connection has run 105% rated speed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year for the 3 years since I bridged with ZERO connection drops.

The loss of Bridging won't affect me drastically if my Asus is still doing the heavy lifting for all those torrent connections and the Cisco is just passing them through without having to do much work itself. However, if this change means my Cisco is back to having to cope with torrent levels of connections then the loss of bridging will very much affect me despite me not having to access my internal network from outside.

CSSE09

Calibos wrote: »

I don't have any IP cameras or NAS's that need to be accessed from outside the network. However my concern is whether a now non bridged Asus RT N66u router is still taking the bulk of the routing load off the Cisco EPC3925. The Cisco buckled under the load of multiple connections (Torrents, though I do also have about 30 distinct IP connected devices in inside my home) and overheated resulting in plummeting speeds and multiple connection drops a day. The day I bridged to the asus was the day this stopped and my connection has run 105% rated speed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year for the 3 years since I bridged with ZERO connection drops.

The loss of Bridging won't affect me drastically if my Asus is still doing the heavy lifting for all those torrent connections and the Cisco is just passing them through without having to do much work itself. However, if this change means my Cisco is back to having to cope with torrent levels of connections then the loss of bridging will very much affect me despite me not having to access my internal network from outside.

I'm in the same boat myself with that modem and router and have the same concern. Mine is still in bridge at the moment but knowing it could drop at anytime is making me think of switching to another ISP before it happens. Out of curisoity did everyone here have to edit the HTML to see the bridging option or was it always visible on the UI? It was a long time ago when I had my modem replaced and the option was there without any changes needed.

DECEiFER

redman wrote: »

Who do we go to on mass? Eir? Vodafone? ...

It doesn't matter. Whoever gives you the best deal is the one you should go with.

redman wrote: »

Can anyone give me a link to a simply guide to configure the 3925 (without bridge feature) to allow me to connect another router for accessing NAs remotely and external security cameras that were configured with second router wirelessly and I cant reconfigure without ALOT of hassle?
Need a stop gap until my 30days are up or new provider in
Many thanks

Here you go: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056684993

CSSE09 wrote: »

Out of curisoity did everyone here have to edit the HTML to see the bridging option or was it always visible on the UI? It was a long time ago when I had my modem replaced and the option was there without any changes needed.

Nope, most of our devices got the option as standard not long after this guide was written.