Turn off "Super wifi"

[Emexrulsier]

So I have just received my Ultra hub.  First off annoying that it only has 2 ethernet ports, a big downgrade when since the dawn of time isp provided internet routers have always had 4.

Anyways, I have numerous smart devices around my home, blubs, leds, fans, plugs etc.  These all run at 2.4Ghz.  On the old Vodafone gigafast router, I could simply turn off 5Ghz, just use 2.4, connect all my smart devices then turn 5Ghz (and now 6Hz) back (or split wifi).  Now though, the split wifi option has been removed and because I have this "super wifi" running, all options on the router are greyed out (for wifi settings) and you just see the message

"Super Wi-Fi is running your Wi-Fi settings. Please use the Super Wi-Fi tile in the Home Broadband App to manage your settings"

Well that's as useful as a chocolate teapot,  the Super wi-fi tile simple shows you a network map, nothing more, no option to configure networks, no option to disable..  Just let me turn the bloody thing off!

In you quest to try and make things as simple for non tech savvy people you have created a frustratingly restricted device.

p.s a factory reset of the device doesn't even turn off "super wifi". logging onto the router directly after a factory reset still says 

"Super Wi-Fi is running your Wi-Fi settings. Please use the Super Wi-Fi tile in the Home Broadband App to manage your settings."

Even though the app doesn't show it as configured.  Wifi compatibility option is again useless, just displayed WP3 and 6Hz

Had the service less than a day and all ready I want to throw the lot on a bonfire!

[GSerafino]

I had the same problem and solved it by resetting the modem to factory. I had to reconnect all my devices and reset my settings wasting time.

[barobson107]

I have the same issue,  I just got my ultra hub and now want to add a fair few 2.4gzh devices,  I was able to do this easily with my old sky router but just keep getting stuck with the super wifi tile message.  All options seem to be greyed out.  Any ideas on how I can easily get my 2.4 devices added?

thanks

[Totalnerd]

Really surprised after reading the complaints and totally agreeing with them that no-one has yet sugested the obvious. Use a "Proper" wifi unit from TP-Link, Netgear etc and plug it into the network port. Turn OFF the Vodafone wifi. You can now set up your own wifi once aand plug it into any interenet supplier network box. of your choice witout re-setting everything. Works perfectly. Max speeds. No more restrictions.

[CrimsonLiar]

The problem is that the "Ultra Hub" is part of a premium package that subscribers pay substantially more for.  So the fact that it's locked down in such a manner as to be difficult to use is going to be annoying.

[Cynric]

@Totalnerd  Using two routers like that, and I have done this myself, can cause problems with double-NAT. Also if you're getting a new router then just chuck the THG3000 in a cupboard and keep it in case Vodafone need to do a line test or something that they insist that their router is needed for. The only tricky thing is if you are using VOIP for the telephone and this is discussed in detail elsewhere in this forum.

[Totalnerd]

@Cynric  thanks for your comment. I am far from an expert but my understanding is that double nat slows things slightly but  is not recomedede for certain specific uses. I note that Vodafone hub has an exposed host function under Static NAT/DMZ that is still accessible. Stating the second (wifi) router i/p as the static local IPV4 could cure this problem. It does put all the protection requirement onto the wifi router tnough. What are your thoughts?

[Cynric]

@Totalnerd  I'm afraid that all I did was to use an alternative router plus a Raspberry Pi running PiHole to do DHCP and DNS.

For the small amount of time that I did use the VF one with a second one attached to a LAN socket I turned off everything that I could on the VF one and configured the second to do all the work. That way I could set all the WiFi channels manually as I liked and not as some software thought best.

[markusace]

Me too. I have the Vodafone router as is with WiFi on.  A second router (Draytek Vigor 2962) is connected by a LAN cable to the Vodafone router. Changed the subnet to 192.168.nn on Vodafone and switched off DHCP . The Draytek has a fixed IP address on the Vodafone router subnet.   A completely different subnet and DHCP on on the Vigor router. That second network (my main network) has servers, cameras and a mesh (Draytek Vigor APs) . 

This second network is basically what I had before Vodafone messed me up (I used Virgin previously with modem pass through mode).

Everything works fine and I can control the Draytek network (wired and WiFi) as I wish , getting the full 500 mbits internet on both networks. I let family members and guests use the Vodafone network and I keep all my stuff more secure on my Draytek network sharing the same fibre to premises LAN connection from Vodafone. My Draytek router does allow a direct WAN connection to fibre but it was easier this way as I get 2 networks. Obviously I have ensured best use of the wireless channels etc. There is no unsolicited way into my more secure network (even for me). No Upnp etc.   VPN is another story.

[billhinge]

I have now got a dedicated wifi 7 AP, not a router. I'll attach it to my Vodafone UltraHub next week (I have a maths exam to revise for next Monday) and I'll see how that goes. It can take its DHCP IP from the UltraHub in stand alone mode.

Once that works I'm replacing the UH with a 'proper' 10GB router 😁 (The AP also supports 10Gb ethernet). Got all the bits now just need the time to connect everything

[Jayach]

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@Totalnerd wrote:

Really surprised after reading the complaints and totally agreeing with them that no-one has yet sugested the obvious. Use a "Proper" wifi unit from TP-Link, Netgear etc and plug it into the network port. Turn OFF the Vodafone wifi. 

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Using such devices in access point mode is often mentioned, however, apart from wasting what should be perfectly good (but crippled) Wi-Fi capabilities (especially in the case of the Ultra router) it means purchasing an expensive router/mesh and then not using it's advanced routing functions.

However for people having problems with 2.4Ghz smart devices, a relatively cheap 2.4Ghz access point would seem to be the easiest solution.