This topic

Smart Hub 2 compatibility with netgear Ethernet switch

Bundy21 — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 21:08:07 GMT

Recently upgraded to BT FTTP and smart hub 2.

The house is wired up with CAT 5e or better so have an unmanaged 8 port Ethernet switch to distribute.

The router is working perfectly for wifi.

The router will send data to the switch but does not flow through it.

The Ethernet ports on the back of the router work if something is plugged directly into them.

I have spoken to the tech helpline and gone through various fixes with them but will not work still.

I have tried 3 brand new unmanaged switches with the same result.

So in short, data flows out of the router but gets stopped at the switch.

Any ideas what could be stopping it?

Thanks in advance

Re: Smart Hub 2 compatibility with netgear Ethernet switch

Will168 — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 08:55:20 GMT

I don't see any reason why it should not work. In fact, I used a Netgear GS108 switch for a few weeks on my SmartHub 2 until changing it for a GS116. Both work fine.

There are not many user changeable settings on the SmartHub2 when it comes to the LAN, so there's not really anything I can think of that you are doing wrong. You can see my settings below, if it helps.

Someone more knowledgeable may be able to provide more ideas. I just wanted to let you know that I use Netgear unmanaged switches and they do seem to work fine, so it shouldn't be a general issue.

Re: Smart Hub 2 compatibility with netgear Ethernet switch

Bundy21 — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 09:10:17 GMT

Thank you for the reply.

My settings are exactly the same.

The only thing I haven’t tried yet is a new smart hub 2.
I can’t see any reason why it would make a difference if the ports are working on the current one but it’s the only part of the chain I haven’t swapped out yet.

BT suggested there may be an issue with the smart hub 2 and the switch. They couldn’t be specific. They thought that using an old router may help.

It’s incredibly frustrating!

Re: Smart Hub 2 compatibility with netgear Ethernet switch

AndyCoffin — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 10:01:22 GMT

While im sure you have already checked this i run two 8 port switches and when one failed it turned out the network cable had been damaged during a recent redecoration (the cable runs along the skirting board and when putting the wall unit back in place it had snagged somehow and pinched)

Replaced the cable and everything worked fine again

Does the switch have any kind of status light on it? (power, uplink speed, ect)

Re: Smart Hub 2 compatibility with netgear Ethernet switch

Bundy21 — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 09:27:10 GMT

Thank you for the reply.

The cable I am using currently is brand new and has not been properly installed yet as the set up is not working.

The cable from the modem to router is good - I am getting full speed via wifi.

The cable to the switch is new also and I have tried a couple of new cables too.

This has me stumped.

Re: Smart Hub 2 compatibility with netgear Ethernet switch

AndyCoffin — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 18:06:16 GMT

Same, in my experience switches are plug and play so i honestly don't know what else to say as a suggestion.

Re: Smart Hub 2 compatibility with netgear Ethernet switch

Les-Gibson — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 18:26:43 GMT

I have FTTP, a netgear switch and a TP-Link one and it's been working for a couple of years or more with no problem.

A couple of things you might want to try if you haven't already.

Turn off Smart Setup, see What is Smart Setup on the BT Hub? How can I turn it on and off? | BT Help
Disconnect the switch from the router and connect each of the devices (those connected to the switch) directly to the router one at a time to identify any possibly faulty devices

Re: Smart Hub 2 compatibility with netgear Ethernet switch

Keniffsims — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 17:52:23 GMT

Hi, did you get this sorted in the end? I have a similar issue but with the switch it’s on random ports they come to life then drop off again! I’m hoping to get hold of a new router to try

Re: Smart Hub 2 compatibility with netgear Ethernet switch

BartMan — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 18:29:24 GMT

Hi,

I have just encountered the same issue as @Bundy21 who started this thread.

I have BT Home Hub2 that has been working fine for a couple of years. It has been connected to an older Netgear unmanaged x16 switch and more recently also connected to another Netgear x8 switch (GS108). Both of which have been working fine for a couple of years.

Following some DIY changes I have had reason to turn off power a few times and now the switches are not distributing data. I know I have mentioned DIY, but I have double checked all cables and there are no breakages etc. I can prove that data is flowing fine into the switch, but none of the devices attached to the switch receive data. Like I say it is like the switch has stopped allowing data to flow out. If the devices are connected to the cable feeding into the switch they also work.

Whilst troubleshooting with the GS108, I managed to get it working through some trial and error connecting and disconnecting the main data input with other devices in different orders. But even that has stopped working. I had read somewhere that you should connect the source from the router first, then devices afterwards - is there any truth in this?

I have also read something about network looping that may cause the router to ignore connections via the switch. I have not gone through the process of removing all connected devices yet, but that is probably the next step.

I have also experience what @Keniffsims did, were some devices were assigned a connection for a few seconds and then automatically disconnected. One of my smart TVs would not shut up about being connected one minute and disconnected the next.

Lastly, I looked for the 'Smart Set Up' option on the BT Home Hub, but it looks like it no longer exists, so cannot turn it off!

Any advice, please.

Re: Smart Hub 2 compatibility with netgear Ethernet switch

gg30340 — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 20:41:03 GMT

Since a recent Smarthub software update, "Smart set up" is turned off by default and is no longer shown in the management pages.

Have you tried a factory reset of the Smarthub by pressing a pin into the recess button on the rear for about 20 seconds?

Re: Smart Hub 2 compatibility with netgear Ethernet switch

BartMan — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 17:35:13 GMT

Hi @gg30340

Thanks for your advice about a full hub reset. I had been waiting for the right time to perform this actio, knowing I may encounter complaints from Wi-Fi users (wife and child). I had also been round to several devices to force them to use Wi-Fi instead of hard wire as a temporary step. This worked fine, until everyone wanted to stream 4k video at the same time!

Anyway, as a result of my procratination, a miracle has happened - it started working on it's own. I am doing further checks but all devices that were previously on the wired network are now connected again. I am 100% that neither me or anyone else would have changed the wiring since it stopped working until it now works again. This is very frustrating not to know why it stopped in the first place. But I wanted to post this message as possible solution for others - just wait a few days and see if it resovles itself!

Re: Smart Hub 2 compatibility with netgear Ethernet switch

Lucifer1952 — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:08:15 GMT

From my own experience having used Ethernet Switches with BT Hubs from a fully wired Cat5/6 Server based Home/Office Network to Ad-hoc using powerline adaptors, the 20 sec+ reset on the back of the router works every time!