business smart hub 2 will not connect in bridge mode

[HeardJA]

I have read the many postings regarding bridge mode on the BT Business Smart Hub 2. and attempts to use with another proprietary router / or mesh system. It appears to be fraught with problems. 

I am not getting past the first hurdle, in when bridge mode is enabled through hub manager I get a BT converged hub error message as below and internet connection is lost.

This is as part of an attempt to use the Business Smart hub in modem only mode to connect to an existing Asus XT8 router which gives Mesh wifi around the house.  Prior to being forced into this change, due to Plusnet abandoning business users, the connection was through an ancient BT openreach modem that worked fine with the ASUS router.

The connection is fibre to cabinet not premises.

I would welcome some advice please - is this an easy fix to get the business smart hub 2 to work in modem only mode - or is it simpler just to buy a more dependable modem only to pair with the XT8.

Thanks

[kelper]

The steady orange light means your Smart Hub 2 is connected in Bridge mode and you don't need the unique username and password.  But you do need to setup a router.  This needs the correct settings to 'talk' to the Hub.

I will see if I can find these but you have as good a chance as me!  Look on this forum for 'settings bridge router'.

You can access the hub's user interface if you connect a PC to the hub by Ethernet cable.  File Explorer should show the Smart Hub under 'Network'.  See if it provides or asks for more info.

[kelper]

Another thought.  Please explain very clearly how you are connecting your ASUS router to the BTB Smart Hub 2 - which port on the router are you connecting to which port on the Hub?  Have you tried a different Ethernet cable in case one is faulty?

[HeardJA · Accepted solution]

To conclude this - following your response Kelper I called BT and got the correct user name log on and password for my business account. This had not been notified previously.  Entered this into the XT8 router and  connected through the original Openreach DSL modem - which is identical to a Hauwei HG612 but is marked as an ECI telecom model 06153. Connected immediately and all Asus mesh functionality restored. The Business Smart hub 2 is back in it's box and there it shall remain.

As a pleasing conclusion the BT engineer, who yes was in India, called me back 20 minutes after he had given me the details to ensure the fix had worked. An unexpected pleasant follow up. 

Thanks for your help

[kelper]

I have often found the Indian call centres to be superb.  They seem able to use their own authority and can make many changes to your account.  They are polite and patient and genuinely pleased when you ask where they are based and if they like working there.

[HeardJA]

Well I did all of that asked him where in India he was and thanked him for his super service.

I am new back to BT - not at all what I expected. A very pleasant surprise.

Thanks again for your input - it was easier to go down resurrecting the old modem route rather than try to sort the new business hub 2, posts elsewhere indicate that can be a nightmare. I was browsing posts about the HG612 and looked at offerings on Ebay and realised that was identical to my old modem. Took me while but got there in the end.

Cheers