Doing Double Nat on the Bell Home Hub 3000. Needs a second router.

Understanding Double NAT Issues

What is Double NAT?

NAT (Network Address Translation) is what your router uses to share one public IP address among all the devices on your home network.

Double NAT happens when two devices are both performing NAT at the same time.  
This is very common with ISP-provided gateways (like the Bell Home Hub 3000) + a second router.

Typical setup that causes Double NAT:
Internet → Bell Home Hub 3000 (NAT #1) → Your own router (NAT #2) → Devices

Why Double NAT Causes Problems

| Problem                        | Why it happens                              | Common Symptoms |
|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|-----------------|
| Port Forwarding fails      | Ports opened on the second router never reach the internet | Games, Plex, cameras, remote access don't work from outside |
| UPnP / automatic port mapping fails | Devices can't properly request open ports | Consoles show Strict/Moderate NAT |
| Online gaming issues       | Higher latency, can't host games, voice chat problems | "Strict NAT", can't join friends, lag |
| Remote access broken       | Can't reach devices from outside your network | Security cameras, home servers, VPN |
| Some apps fail            | Certain services detect multiple NATs      | Smart home devices, VoIP, some cloud services |
| Slightly higher latency    | Traffic has to be translated twice         | Usually minor (1–5 ms) |

How to Check if You Have Double NAT

Log into your second router and look at the WAN IP address.
If the WAN IP starts with:
   192.168.x.x
   10.x.x.x
   172.16.x.x to 172.31.x.x
   
   → You are behind Double NAT.

Compare it with the public IP shown on sites like whatismyip.com.  
   If they are different → Double NAT confirmed.

How to Fix Double NAT (Best Solutions)

| Solution                    | Difficulty | Recommended? | Notes |
|----------------------------|----------|--------------|-------|
| Put Home Hub in Bridge Mode | Medium   | Best        | Ideal if available |
| Use Advanced DMZ on Home Hub | Easy     | Very Good   | Common workaround on Bell HH3000/4000 |
| Put second router in Access Point mode | Easy | Good     | Disables NAT on second router |
| Cascade properly + port forward on both | Hard | Temporary | Works but messy |
| Ask Bell for a public IP / Bridge mode | Easy | Best long-term | Sometimes available |

Recommended Fix for Bell Home Hub 3000

Most people use the Advanced DMZ method:

Log into the Home Hub 3000 (192.168.2.1)
Find Advanced DMZ or DMZ settings
Put your second router’s MAC or IP into the Advanced DMZ
On your second router, set the WAN connection to DHCP (obtain IP automatically)

This effectively gives your second router a public IP and removes the Double NAT.

exact step-by-step instructions for fixing Double NAT on the Bell Home Hub 3000

Exact Step-by-Step Instructions: Fix Double NAT on Bell Home Hub 3000

The best and most commonly used method is Advanced DMZ. This gives your second router a public IP address and eliminates Double NAT.

Before You Start
Have a computer connected to the Home Hub 3000 (wired is best).
Know the MAC address of your second router’s WAN port (check the router’s status page or sticker).
Connect an Ethernet cable from a LAN port on the Home Hub 3000 to the WAN port of your second router.

Step-by-Step: Enable Advanced DMZ

Open a web browser and go to:  
   http://192.168.2.1  
   (or try bell.ca/mymodem)

Log in with the administrator password  
   (usually the serial number on the sticker on the back of the Home Hub 3000).

Click Advanced tools and settings (or Advanced).

Click DMZ on the left side.

Turn DMZ ON.

Find your second router in the list of devices (or manually enter its MAC address).

Select your router and move it to the DMZ side (right side).

Very important: Check the box or option that says Advanced DMZ (this is the key step — regular DMZ is not enough).

Click Save or Apply.

Reboot the Home Hub 3000 (unplug power for 30 seconds, then plug back in). Wait until it fully restarts (all lights normal).

On your second router:
    Set the WAN connection type to DHCP / Obtain IP automatically.
    Do not enter PPPoE credentials.
    Save and reboot the second router.

After both devices restart, check the WAN IP on your second router.  
    It should now show a public IP address (not 192.168.x.x).

Extra Recommendations
Turn off Wi-Fi on the Home Hub 3000 to avoid interference (keep only one network if you still need it temporarily).
Plug all your devices into your second router, not directly into the Home Hub.
If Advanced DMZ becomes unstable later, toggle it Off → Save → On → Save, then reboot both devices.

Would you like the alternative PPPoE Passthrough method as well (sometimes more stable)?

alternative PPPoE Passthrough method

Alternative Method: PPPoE Passthrough on Bell Home Hub 3000

This method is often more stable than Advanced DMZ. Your second router authenticates directly with Bell using PPPoE, effectively bypassing the Home Hub’s NAT.

What You Need
Your Bell b1 username (starts with b1, e.g. b1xxxxxx)
Your Bell PPPoE password
  Find them in your MyBell account under Internet services, or call Bell support to retrieve/reset them.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Connect the hardware
   Plug an Ethernet cable from a LAN port on the Home Hub 3000 into the WAN port of your second router.

Log into your second router
   Open its admin page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.50.1, etc.).

Configure the WAN settings on your second router
   Go to Internet / WAN settings.
   Change Connection Type (or WAN Type) to PPPoE.
   Enter:
     Username: your b1xxxxxx username
     Password: your Bell PPPoE password
   Leave other settings (VLAN, MTU, etc.) at default unless your router requires VLAN 35 (most consumer routers do not need it when connected this way).
   Save the settings.

Optional but recommended on the Home Hub 3000
   Log into 192.168.2.1.
   Turn off the Home Hub’s Wi-Fi (Primary + Guest) to avoid interference.
   You can leave DHCP enabled.

Reboot both devices
   Reboot the Home Hub 3000 first.
   Then reboot your second router.

Verify
   On your second router’s status page, the WAN IP should now be a public IP address (not 192.168.x.x).
   Test your internet connection.

Advantages of PPPoE Passthrough
Usually more stable than Advanced DMZ
No need to keep toggling settings on the Home Hub
Works well for most people

Possible Drawbacks
On very high-speed plans (1.5 Gbps+), some older routers may not achieve full speed due to PPPoE overhead.
You must keep your b1 username and password up to date.

Would you like me to also give you tips for specific router brands (ASUS, TP-Link, UniFi, etc.)?

• tossed the linksys router
• got new tp-Link archer c50
• address is 192.168.0.1
• default of 12400683 does not work. use wps button on back
• changing router setting loses internet connectivity

• tossing the linksys router
• download is 22.7. up is 5.6

• Bell blocks ports 80 and 443 so cannot run macqueen/allthatjas.us.
• It also appears that, from looking at whatsmyip, that Bell changes my dynamic IP address frequently.
• added a macqueen.us line to /windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts and can now access macquuen.us and dokuwiki locally.
• default password is serial number (DM1807503001047).
• current is w'01
• left most light is info. press it for messages.
• middle turns wifi off and on?
• right most?
• bell 3000 does NOT do port forwarding.
• reset box that goes to the red plug.
• reset modem using switch on right side.
• 800 263 3899

• The Bell Home Hub 3000 modem's IP address is 192.168.2.1.
• You can also access the modem's settings by going to bell.ca/mymodem in your web browser
• port forwarding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A76Sec9VsRU
• bought this extender in 2024. dead in 2026. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RHD97QY

• current monthly charge is $63.16 ($47.37 USD), which, times 6 is $379, plus $49 is 428, or $321 USD
• previous monthly charge was $57 ($42.75 USD), which, times 6 is $342, plus $49 is 491, or $293 USD

• service suspended 10/20/2024 for a maximum of 6 months

• Vianet info below is obsolete
• new page is https://www.vianet.ca/residential/internet/high-speed-wireless/
• no service at cottage

• Bell's cheapest plan is $60 + tax
• https://www.bell.ca/bell_internet/promotions/wireless-home-internet-packages

Subject: Re: Fwd: [Vianet.ca #1258844] Residential Sales Request From Donald macQueen Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 11:28:11 -0400 From: Shannon Ellerton shannon@vianet.ca To: Donald MacQueen dmacq@erols.com

Hi Donald,

Thank you for your reply. I have verified available at your location, and you are still within Vianet's wireless coverage area.

The wireless service has a one-time installation fee of $180.00 + tax and you have a choice of the following plans.

Plan: Core 1.5B Download Speed: 1.5 mbps Upload Speed: 25% of download speed Streaming Rate: 384 kbps Seasonal Fee: $15.00 + tax Monthly Fee: $47.95+ tax

Plan: Core 3A Download Speed: 3 mbps Upload Speed: 25% of download speed Streaming Rate: 512 kbps Seasonal Fee: $15.00 + tax Monthly Fee: $59.95 + tax

Plan: Core 3B Download Speed: 3 mbps Upload Speed: 25% of download speed Streaming Rate: 768 kbps Seasonal Fee: $15.00 + tax Monthly Fee: $69.95 + tax

This service will also provide: - Equipment rental included - 5 Email Accounts - Free Junk mail filtering - Webmail Access - 100 MB of personal web space - Unlimited usage - No Charge Dialup connection if wireless access fails

This wireless form can be found here: http://vianet.ca/wireless_muskoka_parrysound.php. Once the form is received a technician will complete a site check to determine if service is available. This can take up to 10 business days.

If service is available, the technician will complete the install at that time. The installation fee and first month of service are due at that time.

If service is not available, there is no charge.

This service can be placed on seasonal hold for a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 6 months every year. Time on seasonal hold does not count toward your contract period.

Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Vianet.

Thank you, Shannon 363 Algonquin Blvd W Timmins, ON P4N 2S3 705-269-9996, ext 5166 1-800-788-0363, ext 5166 shannon@vianet.ca