Connecting Linksys Velop CABLE router to the Vodafone Broadband router?

[danthomas25]

Hi all,

third party router set-up advice sought.

I'm sure I read details of how someone did this but cannot find the thread now I'm ready to set this up.
Can someone out there advise exactly how to do this? I have the Vodafone username and password and vlan already.
Do I plug the Velop into the WAN port on the Voda router? Any settings I need to put into the Velop? Into the Voda Router? etc

I have switched from Virgin Media to Vodafone and need the coverage the Velop gives. I know this is achievable as I read it on here!

Let me know if this is not enough detail.

Many thanks in advance!

[Jayach]

You mention Vodafone username and password and vlan, are you on Gigafast?

[danthomas25]

Hi,

I am on superfast2 (c.70Mbps) with a THG3000 router supplied.

Most other help I've seen on this subject says you need this info to set up with PPPoE - I'm just not sure how to combine this info, my equipment and the various cabling & networking options.

Thanks!

[Jayach]

You will only need that info if you are going to use the Linksys with a modem. (which would be the best thing to do)

If you are using it with the THG3000 it should be connected to one of the LAN ports and configured as an Access Point (AP). (If that's possible with the Velop, I don't know that device)

AP mode will simply supply WiFi, all other functions of the Linksys will not be used.

If you configure it as a router you will be running a double NAT as the THG3000 does not have a modem mode.

Either way you would run the Linksys from a LAN port, the WAN port is a input to connect to an Ethernet connection.

[Anonymous]

On Velop, If you've been using it with another system in the past you may need to reset it (but you may not!).  Then connect to the Velop system using the mobile app, and put it into bridge mode.  After doing that you connect from a LAN port on the router to Ethernet port 1 on one of the Velop devices.

That's the basic set up,  all that should be left is to turn off the VF router's won WiFi!

[danthomas25]

@Jayach, as you mentioned this, which modem is recommended to get fully functional mesh WiFi? Obv my cable Velop system is unsuitable so looking for recommendations.

Or an alternative setup if you think better? A powerline system is no good in my property btw. My router line in is upstairs.

Thanks guys for responses

Dan

[Jayach]

As I said I don't know the Velop system, but most of the better mesh systems don't include a modem so reading other posts on here people seem to use the DrayTek Vigor 130 or one of the original Openreach modems, the Huawei HG612 or the Openreach ECI, both of which are only available second-hand now.

I know TP-Link do mesh system that do include a modem/router as the main hub but I have no experience of those either.

@KeithAlger has much more practical experience of using these devices so hopefully he will be able to advise you better.

[Anonymous]

Velop will work fine as a WiFi replacement for an existing setup.  So, unless the Vodafone router itself is causing weirdness, I'd stick with the VF router (on this occasion).

If you do want to go down the modem route anyway, then it depends on how much you want to tinker, but the easy two routes are the old (that age is becoming a problem) BT/Huawei HG612V3b (unlocked) or the UK spec Draytek Vigor 130 both of which are incredibly close to plug and play.

*For the moment don't be tempted by the newer G.Fast Vigor modems.  I know its tempting but they seem to be having some teething problems - hopefully just with the modem code!

[danthomas25]

Thanks for reply keith, if you could expand on your first sentence I'd appreciate the detail.

Noting this is a cable router - are you saying the AP bridge route?

I found this old comment (from 2017) and wondered if it makes sense?
By user "florca":

"Re: HOW TO: Use a third party router on Vodafone VDSL 

Hi - You don't need to unlock the Openreach modem or make any config changes to it at all. The Username & Password are entered in the WAN section of (any) "cable" (not xDSL) Router via PPPoE, and the default settings on the Openreach device will work fine. I tested this out on my VF VDSL connection with my HG612 prior to unlocking it - only done so that I could see the line synch speed and other stats."

[danthomas25]

Hi - You don't need to unlock the Openreach modem or make any config changes to it at all. The Username & Password are entered in the WAN section of (any) "cable" (not xDSL) Router via PPPoE, and the default settings on the Openreach device will work fine. I tested this out on my VF VDSL connection with my HG612 prior to unlocking it - only done so that I could see the line synch speed and other stats."

[Anonymous]

So, the Veolp will work as a router in it's own right, or just as a WiFi replacement systems - there are many Mesh systems out there are not so flexible (including some big names).

Using it as just a WiFi replacement does mean going down the AP bridge route!

As to the Huawei HG612V3b, most of these that you'll find on eBay are unlocked, and depending on the firmware version they really need to be if you want to see the line stats! Having the line stats is useful since it lets you see if the connection is dropped and what your line speeds are!

Whatever you do, I'd get it working with the VF router first, and only order a modem, if you feel you need to!