How to set-up bridge mode and... why actually should I want to do that?

[IndianaStyle]

Hello,

I bought an AmpliFi Home Set (the cube with the sleek design) and I am connected via ethernet cable with the Ziggo router.

Everything seems working after a few trials.

Now I can see three wifi networks: two from Ziggo (the 5 Ghz and the regular one) and one from Amplifi (which is the one I created when I set-up the system).

Is it normal that I see three lines? I thought I would have seen just one.

Perhaps there is a setting in the app of the Amplifi OR the Ziggo router I should change? As an example, should I change the Ziggo router to bridge and do the same in the app of Amplifi? I am not familiar with the settings.

I understand I will have to call Ziggo and they will put the router in bridge mode. Remotely.

Now I have two questions:

Should I change any settings on the Amplifi?

Actually, why should I want to move to bridge mode my Ziggo router? I mean, apart from seeing one wifi red rather than three, what are the other advantages of using the bridge mode?

Thank you!

[tobiastheebe · Accepted solution]

Using bridge mode i.e. not cascading routers has a number of advantages, including but not limited to:

• Preventing issues such as DHCP conflicts
• Greatly simplified network layout (one subnet instead of two, no double NAT = easy port forwarding, no DMZ required for router)
• Easy troubleshooting
• Reduced modem CPU/RAM load

There are some caveats as well:

• Only LAN1 port will be available on modem, all LAN devices must be connected to router or downstream switches
• Make sure router’s WAN configuration is set to DHCP since it will directly receive a public IP address from Ziggo
• Only IPv4 will be available, IPv6 is not available (yet)

[IndianaStyle]

Thanks!!

[tobiastheebe]

You’re welcome! Let me know if you have any further questions.

I should also mention that you are able to switch between router/bridge mode yourself if you are in a former UPC area (fUPC), otherwise a Ziggo moderator/helpdesk employee can arrange it for you.

[IndianaStyle]

No clue what that means!

[tobiastheebe]

Use the map below to determine whether you are in an fUPC area (marked in red):

[IndianaStyle]

I am in the red zone. How can I do it myself then?I cannot find it in the settings of the router.

[MR_CHIP]

IndianaStyle wrote:

I am in the red zone. How can I do it myself then?I cannot find it in the settings of the router.

that means ziggo must do the switch at their end

you can wait here for a ziggo moderator(employee) or call/chat with the main ziggo helpdesk

[Paul]

Good afternoon @IndianaStyle  and welcome to our Community,

I noticed our expert @tobiastheebe  already reached out to you in regards to your question. I noticed that you modem has an IPV6 DS Lite profile. This means that you are currently unable to use the advanced router section on the General User Interface from the Connectbox modem. 

Due to your question I've send a request to change your modem profile to IPV4 only, so you are unable to configure the advanced router settings on the Connectbox. Within 24 hours the modem profile will be changed. A modem reboot may be required in case it still doesn't work. 

[IndianaStyle]

Hello,

Days ago I spoke with an agent and we decided not to proceed with the bridge mode change.

I have replaced the Ubiquiti Amplifier with a TP-LINK DECO set and have then set that up as Access Point.

Finally, I disabled the WiFi on the Ziggo modem, as per instructions provided.

I am not sure what you did, but I now wonder if it was necessary.

If not, let's revert back. Now I think I understand why I got internet cut for some minutes.

Thank you for sharing some lights and taking action.

Kind regards

[Paul]

@IndianaStyle Good that you already spoke to a colleague from our helpdesk. The change to the IPV4 modemprofile doesn't affect your setup with the TP Link Deco set. The only thing that will change, is that after the modemprofile has been set to IPV4 you are able to configure the build-in router settings on the Connectbox modem itself. 

Please let us know if this raises any other questions. 

[IndianaStyle]

Getting confused right now. Compared to before, when I go to the setting I see: "Modem mode disables the WiFi feature of the Connect Box, so you can use your own wireless router" and the current set-up (flag) is on "Enable Router Modem". Should I change it to "Enable Modem Mode"?

[Paul]

In the current modem configuration you are able to set the modem to Routermode. In this mode all 4 network connections on the modem are active and you able to setup advanced router settings on the modem itself. Or, you can change the modem to bridged mode. In this mode the Connectbox works as a regular modem without the router function. 

[IndianaStyle]

Then, what is the recommended setting with the TP-LINK DECO, considering the instructions stated I needed to "disable WiFi on the Ziggo", which I did days ago when the setting visible was different, but now I see through the disclaimer that in order to do so I need to switch from router to modem?

[IndianaStyle]

My apologies!

I can see under the wireless signal section, that the WiFi is off. That is the change I made.

Now, about the section Modem mode, should I leave it on router setting? or modem?

Sorry, I really got confused but the question remains.

[Paul]

@IndianaStyle I'm very sorry for the confusion. In case you intend to use the 3 other networkports on the Connectbox modem you should set the Connectbox to Router mode. In case your are using the TP Link Deco as your router, than I recommend to switch the modem to Bridged mode. 

[IndianaStyle]

So basically your colleague before suggested to NOT move to bridge mode, while you are suggesting to do it.

The person I spoke with also knew I did not want to use anything more than the TP-LINK.

So am I going to see a decrease in performance now if I don't move it to BRIDGE mode?

[IndianaStyle]

Hello,

Listening to you, I have tried to move to modem mode and now I can no longer connect to the internet.

Reason for this is also because wifi on the ziggo has been turned off as suggested by the instructions.

I am out.

How can I revert the situation back which ultimately was working just fine for me?

I have tried to connect my laptop with an ethernet cable to the Ziggo to access settings again but, it does not work!

Please help.

[Erik S]

Hi there @IndianaStyle! First of all, my apologies for my late reply. I'm also very sorry about all the hassle and issues you experience.

When our modem is in bridge mode, only LAN port 1 is functional. That might have caused your laptop not to work if you plugged your laptop in port 2, 3 or 4. If it still doesn't work try plugging in your laptop in LAN port 1 of the modem and then switch back the modem to router mode to make all LAN ports functional again.

When using our modem in router mode, you have to put your Deco system in Acces Point mode from within the settings. If you wish to use our modem in bridge mode, you will then need to put the Deco system in Router Mode.

You don't need to enable bridge mode in our modem for your Deco set to be functional. Simply disable the wifi function in our modem for it not to disturb with the wifi your Deco is broadcasting.