EE Smart Hub Plus – Can’t use multiple wired devices via a switch (DHCP issue)

[deezus_n]

Hi all,

I’m hoping someone here has seen this before or can confirm if it’s a known limitation.

The issue:
I upgraded to the EE Smart Hub Plus recently and since then I can’t connect more than one wired device through my unmanaged Ethernet switch. The first device works fine, but as soon as I plug in a second device, it fails to obtain an IP address (Windows says “no DHCP server found”).

My setup:

• Netgear GS308 unmanaged gigabit switch

• Multiple wired devices (PCs, smart home gear, etc.)

• Standard cables, nothing exotic

• This setup worked perfectly with my old BT hub

Testing I’ve done:

• Tried different cables and different hub ports – same issue

• Tested with a TP-Link unmanaged Ethernet switch – same issue

• Connected devices directly to the EE hub – works fine

• Connected just one device via the Netgear GS308 – works fine

• As soon as I add a second device behind the switch, it fails to get an IP

• The hub’s device list shows the MAC address for the second device but no IP (0.0.0.0)

• Tried two different EE Smart Hub Plus units – one sent by EE as a replacement – both have the same behaviour

• Tested the exact same switch + devices with my old BT router – works perfectly

Conclusion so far:
It looks like the Smart Hub Plus may be enforcing a per-port MAC address limit or blocking DHCP for more than one device on a single LAN port. This restriction wasn’t present on my BT hub and I can’t find any mention of it in EE’s documentation.

What I’m asking:

• Has anyone else experienced this with the Smart Hub Plus?

• Does anyone know if the Smart Hub Pro (or any other EE-supplied router) allows multiple wired devices via a switch on one port without blocking DHCP?

• Is there any hidden setting to turn off this restriction?

Any advice or confirmation would be hugely appreciated. I’d like to avoid buying extra hardware or running my own router in DMZ if there’s a simple fix.

Thanks in advance,

D

[Mustrum]

@deezus_n   many people use a switch between the router and other devices to overcome another issue - a delay in getting an IP address that the Smart Hub plus seems to add.

Are you using the parental controls or any add on with your system setup?

Is the cable between the switch and router Cat5e or better?

There are no restictions per port or hidden settings that have been reported.

The obvious fix would be to use the BT Router, but get in touch with CS and get them to take you off the return list or they may try and charge you.

[JimM11]

@deezus_n The tp-link TL-SG105S worked 100% fine all ports assigned and connected to the EE Smarthub+ SH31B.

[bobpullen]

I've three unmanaged switches on my network connecting 11 devices back to a single port on my hub. I'm not currently using the Smart Hub Plus, but when I was, I had no problems.

Edit: one is a Zyxel switch (2.5GbE), one Netgear (1GbE) and one Tenda (2.5GbE).

[JimM11]

@bobpullen Been a few switch issues connecting and always Netgear in the forefront! Same as you never had a problem with any off them even put my old FS105 on for a 10Mb/s connection and uplinked it via the Tp-Link and direct on EE Smarthub+ to ensure operation was fine!

[Ewan15]

@JimM11  I was using a Netgear GS305 with both EE Smart Hub Plus and Pro and had no issues with all ports in use. I retired it when I upgraded to a 2.5GB switch

[deezus_n]

Hi All

Thank you so much for your replies! This is highly embarrassing to admit but I owe it to everyone because you were kind enough to comment....

I thought I'd clean up the cupboard with all the cables and after removing 5 of the ethernet cables that were unplugged (because I had gotten rid / changed / wireless-ed devices over time), the 2 remaining continued to work with wired connections. Both simultaneously. I guess the old BT router didn't mind having extra cables connected for no reason whatsoever.

TLDR - don't connect a bunch of empty ethernet cables for no reason or else you will get the results I did in my OP 😅

Thanks all again!!

[JimM11]

@deezus_n Just glad you sorted it all out!👍