Accessing & Configuring Arris Vectra Modem 2022: Bridge Mode, Docsis 3.1, and WiFi 6 Tips

Hello,

for over two weeks I have been the owner of a Vectra link in the 1200/100 package. During the installation I received an Arris modem that supports Docsis 3.1 and WiFi 6. Due to the fact that before the change of operator I had my own network configured in my apartment, the modem immediately went into bridge mode.

However, I began to wonder if I should transfer the entire configuration to the modem provided. It is known that in its pro-client approach, Vectra completely blocks access to the modem, but while browsing the forum, I came across posts from almost 8 years ago, in which there were suggestions about unplugging the coaxial cable, resetting the modem, setting the desired parameters on it (fixed IP addresses, other DNS, port forwarding) and plugging the coaxial cable back to the modem so that the modem gets the rest of the settings from the operator.

Unfortunately, I have not found any documentation about what parameters are sent to the modem after its activation in the network, and currently I also do not have access to the modem management via eBOK (error on the Vectra side, waiting for repair) to be able to try it out myself. Therefore, I am asking you a question on this matter - has anyone managed to achieve the goal described above? The modem seems to be of good quality, and I think that I would have survived to cut myself off from constant access to the configuration, if only it was certain that after activating it in the network, the settings I overwritten would not disappear.

@oculars_increasers
Now that you have it at home, try the method, if something goes wrong, you reset the modem to factory settings.

The point is that I currently cannot change the modem's operating mode. Doing it through the helpline would extend the testing time, and I cannot afford Internet access for too long. For this reason, I asked a question here, because maybe someone managed to save at least some of their own changes to the Vectra modem despite their locks.
If I had been told that someone had tried and failed, I probably wouldn't even start having fun on my part.

...
If you have set the operator's equipment to Bridge mode and it works as a modem, leave it there.
After switching to router mode, it may turn out that the operator's equipment will be unstable, which is not in the Bridge's operation. I'm not talking about the fun of reconfiguring all of your devices.
Ps. Vectra in its time allowed to change the operation of the device from the level of the management panel on their website.

@oculars_increasers
I don't know if it makes sense to go back to the operator's equipment at all - this one, due to its costs on the operator's side, will never be as configurable as equipment from free sale.

Although I can guess the reason for the return - it's 1.2Gb download, and you will not override it on your own router with a 1Gb port.

Dear, I just found out that from today, for selected modems, Vectra started providing access to modem management. To gain access to the panel, change the operating mode to "open" in eBOK. I will test how it works and I will come back with the answer so that it remains for posterity. Maybe it will be useful to someone.

I confirm, I also see the "Open" option in the "Device operation mode" tab in the Vectra ebook and thus I can enter the router settings and change everything as needed (eg set a network with one name that works in both ranges, etc.). However, I have their new WiFi 6 modem (CGA4236), I do not know what the case is with other models ...

The "open" mode is available only in selected modems (I bet on Arris and Technicolor). As @WWML wrote, after switching the modem to this mode, we get access to the entire modem configuration (including port forwarding, firewall, change of IP addressing in the internal network, etc.). In my case, it was also useful to reset the modem to factory settings. Hats off to Vectra for embracing this matter!

On my Technicolor TC4236 router, the OPEN mode works halfway. I can log in to the router configuration, the internet works, but for CHOLER I can't separate the Wi-Fi network into two, depending on the band (2.4 / 5 Ghz), in addition, the landline phone does not sync (the lamp is blinking red all the time) ... I think this mode is still 'underdone' by Vectra. I will only add that I did a hard reset to factory settings twice.

Yes, it is impossible to separate the network also for me. The system time of the modem is not synchronizing and (I think) I have problems with connecting to the Sony TV, which "goes crazy" and loses the network ... so I went back to managing the modem by Vectra.
The advantage of the open mode is the ability to enter your own DNS settings or change the network mode, e.g. for 2.4 GHz to 20 MHz (the default is 40 MHz) or 160 MHz for 5 GHz ...
I am waiting for an updated firmware that will solve these problems.

I am also happy to have a Wifi6 router from vectra, also in ebok.vectra.pl I was surprised by the availability of this "open" option.

But ... I didn't get to use it. I mean, I was able to turn it on and the router restarted. But I can't log into the router. I connect to wifi without any problems.

I've tried to change it a few times, I've tried a reset using the reset button.
Unfortunately, I do not know the login details to the website on 192.168.100.1
The stickers on the bottom of the device do not work, as well as some popular combinations, e.g. admin / password, etc.

What information do you use to log in to the router's administration page?

For me, after selecting the open mode by ebook and stabilizing the modem's operation (sometimes it takes quite a long time), only making a long reset (I hold the reset button until all the LEDs are off) restores the settings, access data and the network name visible on the modem sticker (this reset and it also takes some time to stabilize the work).

@WWML
This booting up time may be due to the fact that the modem has to download / install other software and then provisioning.

OK, in the router I can choose the open mode, but no password matches the modem. I try to enter what is on the sticker as well as user/password and password combinations from standard through mac address and serial number. Any suggestions?

For me, as I mentioned above, it was only after "long reset" of the modem that the access data from the sticker started working.

thank you for the quick reply I'm just trying to reset by holding reset for about 30 seconds until all the lights go out for a moment, but it doesn't help and still downloads the configuration from the Vectra website. Yes, I have set Vectra to open in the client area. You can definitely enter through the data from the sticker after disconnecting the coaxial cable, but it still downloads the data from the server, even if I did not turn off the modem after a reset without the controller .. I don't know, apparently I'm too stupid

Okay, with the 1.2 Gbps internet and Technicolor cga 4236 modem, the bridge option worked and unlocking specific ports in Windows, if someone needs it. The downside of this solution is that if you want to use a modem from Vectra, you can use one device via cable and one via WiFi at the same time, which forces you to buy a router for more devices. In Open mode, I did not have access to the router before and after the reset. Oddly enough, when changing the WiFi settings via the Vectra website, the password can change to some randomly generated by V, after the reset, the WiFi data matches the sticker, but still no access. And I thought that UPC was strange and if it weren't for the speed of the internet, I would probably come back.

Interesting fact - recently I noticed that the modem in open mode overwrites the settings from time to time while restarting. This is not all the data, but port forwarding or fixed IP addresses, for example, disappear. I received a response today from Vectra that in fact the mentioned operating mode is only intended for technicians to diagnose and connect mesh devices to the modem and I, as a client, should not use it. Moreover, recommendations manufacturers the modems they provide tell you not to give your clients administrative access. So my question is why make it available to clients at all?

Has anyone checked whether the Technicolor CGA2121 modem / router has this "open" mode in the Vectra ebook?

Currently I have an EPC3928 with 5Ghz WiFi available, access to the settings panel is after a certain combination - reset to factory settings on the unplugged hub and setting your own password. Then connecting the hub and he will download the settings from vectra. However, when he wants to turn off the annoying options in WiFi - artime fairness, after resetting the modem, the previous settings return anyway ... the password for the panel remains. From the ebook level, I do not have open mode, only router / bridge. That's why I plan to switch to this CGA2121 or the newest CGA4236, as long as 100% goes into the settings panel ...

Replacing the modem in Vectra costs up to PLN 500, if I remember correctly. It is much better to buy your own router and set the modem to bridge mode.

In my case, I would have to pay for God Only if they have this open mode at 100%, ie Cga2121 and this 4236

I am jealous. I would gladly give Arris back and take Technicolor. Probably the OPEN mode is only in modems that support mesh so you would have to opt for the one with WiFi6 (4236). In the posts above it was written that the mentioned modem supports open mode, as for cga2121 I cannot guarantee it for you. Remember, however, that this mode does not give you 100% control over the modem. Some settings will disappear anyway.

Vectra seems to have already OFFICIALLY made the 'OPEN' mode available to users. Entering the Client Area and modem configuration, apart from 'Bridge' and 'Router', I also see the 'Open - for advanced' option (previously only 'Open'). Also, after selecting the 'Info' icon on the right side, a detailed description of this option appears.

I will test tomorrow.

May I ask what modem you have? Let me know how it will work for you

I have a Technicolor CGA4236 (Wi-Fi 6) modem.

I did a test today, unfortunately nothing has changed. It is true that I can log in to the modem, but I do not have access to many options (e.g. I cannot separate the Wi-Fi network with a separate SSID for 2.4G and 5G) and the landline phone does not work for me.

All in all, it was better with the old Technicolor CGA2121 - there you could unplug the coaxial cable, make a hard reset of the modem, then re-plug the hub and logging into the modem was possible plus changing most of the available options.

This method no longer works with a new modem.

I was able to enter the modem settings, but I have a problem, it is impossible to change the network name and password. Does anyone have a solution?

BTW, I had to turn on the open mode on ebok, reset the modem by holding down the reset until the LEDs went out and then log into the network using WPS and only then I was able to enter the settings with the factory username and password

To change the network name and password, you need to connect the computer to the modem using a LAN cable; it worked for me.

Do you have the option to change DNS settings in this modem after switching to open mode?

@oculars_increasers As for this option, YES, it is active, you can change entries.

Ok, how is it worth running this Open mode?
Because I got the newest Vectra Techicolor wifi6 model
But the login and password did not work.
My guess from this discussion is that I need to restart it after setting it to Open Advanced.
But I called the helpline anyway
the first consultant told me that I would go in via the cable. Of course, the password and login do not work, but I guess it's my fault that I did not reset it.
The question is whether it is worth getting to it if the settings are not permanent.
I am asking because the second consultant said about 30 minutes later that the Advanced Open does not work. And you have to wait for the official message from the operator.
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