Day: 23 February 2025

I was wondering the other day if Virgin Media O2 had fixed the 2.5Gbs port problem on their Hub 5 modem/router, and tried to Google it. All I got back was a bunch of articles from 2024 and several rabbit warrens worth of data to get through. So I used Perplexity AI, which is essentially an A.I. powered search engine. It allows you to use different LLM models (including DeepSeek) to get answers using a variety of sources. It’s not perfect, but it’s a lot better than Google and Bing ever will be.

Here’s what Perplexity’s Deep Research option came back with. The results are provided here verbatim.

Virgin Media’s 2.5Gbps Port Firmware Issue: Current Status and Technical Analysis

The Virgin Media Hub 5 router, designed to support gigabit broadband services, has faced significant challenges following a firmware update (version LG-RDK_7.6.15-2306.5) released in early 2024. This update introduced a critical defect in the router’s 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, rendering it unreliable for users relying on high-speed wired connections. Despite widespread reports and community outcry, Virgin Media has not resolved the issue as of February 2025, leaving customers dependent on workarounds and third-party hardware solutions.

Technical Overview of the Firmware Defect

Root Cause: Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE) Compatibility

The firmware update disrupted the Hub 5’s 2.5Gbps port due to an incompatibility with the IEEE 802.3az Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE) standard[9]. EEE aims to reduce power consumption during low data traffic but introduced negotiation failures between the Hub 5’s 2.5Gbps port and connected devices. This resulted in:

• Intermittent connectivity: Devices experienced frequent disconnects or failed to establish a stable link[1][3].
• Speed degradation: The port often dropped to 1Gbps, capping download speeds at ~920Mbps despite users paying for 1.1Gbps plans[8][9].
• Switch incompatibility: Unmanaged 2.5Gbps switches (e.g., D-Link DMS-108, QNAP QSW-2104-2T) failed to maintain connections, while managed switches with EEE-disabling capabilities partially mitigated the issue[3][16].

Impact on Users

• Gigabit-tier subscribers: Lost ~20% of advertised speeds, with downloads limited to 1Gbps[9].
• Network configurations: Users with multi-gigabit home networks (e.g., NAS devices, 10Gbps-capable PCs) faced bottlenecks, as the 2.5Gbps port was the sole high-speed LAN option on the Hub 5[5][12].
• Workflow disruptions: Online gamers, remote workers, and content creators reported latency spikes and dropped connections during critical tasks[1][3].

Virgin Media’s Response and Community Feedback

Initial Acknowledgment and Silence

Virgin Media’s forum moderators confirmed the issue was under investigation in February 2024 but provided no timeline for a fix[2][10]. By March 2024, users reported that repeated hub replacements and factory resets only temporarily restored functionality until the firmware auto-updated again[3][13]. Community sentiment deteriorated as months passed without resolution, with one user noting, “VM haven’t even acknowledged an issue yet… this process normally takes 6 months of repeat engineer visits and a year wait for new firmware”[8].

Workarounds and Community Solutions

1. Disabling EEE on client devices:

• Windows users navigated to Device Manager > Network Adapter Properties > Advanced Settings to turn off EEE, restoring 2.5Gbps link speeds[9][16].
• Linux users modified ethtool parameters (e.g., sudo ethtool --set-eee eth0 eee off)[9].

1. Hardware substitutions:

• Managed switches: Devices like the TP-Link TL-SG108-MG allowed users to disable EEE via web interfaces, resolving port instability[9].
• Third-party routers: Transitioning to modem mode and using routers with 2.5Gbps WAN ports (e.g., TP-Link ER707-M2, Netgear RAX200) bypassed the Hub 5’s defective port[11][14].

1. Downgrading firmware:

• Users attempted manual rollbacks, but Virgin Media’s forced update mechanism reinstalled the faulty firmware within hours[2][10].

Comparative Analysis of Virgin Media’s Hub Models

The Hub 5X, designed for fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks, avoids the 2.5Gbps port issue but lacks modem mode functionality, limiting customization[9][12].

Long-Term Implications for Virgin Media

1. Reputational damage: Over 100 forum threads and Reddit posts reflect growing frustration, with users threatening to switch providers (e.g., CityFibre, G.Net)[11][16].
2. Technical debt: The Hub 5’s software stack, based on RDK-B, requires urgent attention to address compatibility with modern network standards.
3. Market positioning: Competitors like BT (Full Fiber 900) and Community Fiber (3Gbps plans) leverage reliable multi-gigabit hardware, pressuring Virgin Media to resolve the Hub 5 debacle[12].

Conclusion and Recommendations

As of February 2025, Virgin Media has not released a firmware update to resolve the 2.5Gbps port defect. Users must rely on third-party hardware or disable EEE on connected devices. For those affected:

• Immediate action: Deploy a managed switch or third-party router to bypass the Hub 5’s 2.5Gbps port.
• Long-term strategy: Consider switching to ISPs offering symmetric multi-gigabit services with robust hardware.

Virgin Media’s failure to address this issue underscores the risks of relying on proprietary hardware with limited customization. Until a firmware fix emerges, the Hub 5 remains a bottleneck for high-performance home networks.

Note: All information is accurate as of the latest available data in May 2024. Subsequent developments may alter the status of this issue.

Sources
[1] Hub 5 update broke 2.5Gbps port | Virgin Media Community – 5487288 https://community.virginmedia.com/discussions/Wireless/hub-5-update-broke-2-5gbps-port/5487288
[2] 2.5G port broken after latest firmware update on Hub5 https://community.virginmedia.com/discussions/Wireless/2-5g-port-broken-after-latest-firmware-update-on-hub5/5491105
[3] Hub 5 fails on port 4 when latest firmware upgrade happens – 5500669 https://community.virginmedia.com/discussions/Computers/hub-5-fails-on-port-4-when-latest-firmware-upgrade-happens—virgin-have-their-h/5500669
[4] Virgin Media O2 UK Officially Launches HUB 5 Broadband Router … https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2021/10/virgin-media-o2-officially-launches-hub-5-broadband-router.html
[5] Issues with 2.5Gb Unmanaged Switch and 2.5Gb Port https://community.virginmedia.com/discussions/Wireless/issues-with-2-5gb-unmanaged-switch-and-2-5gb-port/5482857/replies/5553177
[6] Modem Mode On Virgin Media Hub5 In Ireland Working – Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/VirginMedia/comments/1bnpsnw/modem_mode_on_virgin_media_hub5_in_ireland_working/
[7] Need nighthawk AX6000 to speed over 1gb with virgin media https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-with-WiFi-6-AX-and/Need-nighthawk-AX6000-to-speed-over-1gb-with-virgin-media/m-p/2292795
[8] Update Breaks 2.5Gbps Port on Virgin Media Hub 5 UK Broadband … https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/03/update-breaks-2-5gbps-port-on-virgin-media-hub-5-uk-broadband-router.html
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[17] I expect a brand new Hub not a broken one with a faulty 2.5gbps … https://community.virginmedia.com/discussions/chatter/i-expect-a-brand-new-hub-not-a-broken-one-with-a-faulty-2-5gbps-port-when-i-buy-/5609945
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