Ditching the Proximus Router for the Ubiquiti Dream Machine SE: A Belgium-Specific Guide to Enhanced Networking

It’s a tale as old as ISPs themselves, pushing customers towards equipment that limits control and customization. For tech-savvy individuals, this lack of flexibility is a frustration that shouldn’t be overlooked. I got tired of being boxed in by the Proximus Fiber Router (BBox) and the restrictions it imposed, so I made the switch to the Ubiquiti Dream Machine SE. I didn’t want a hacky solution like bridge mode. I wanted full control, better performance, and the flexibility to manage my network the way I see fit. Here’s how I made the transition, with no compromises.

What’s the story?

I recently upgraded my setup to Proximus Fiber Business 8.5 Gbps and wanted some decent hardware to ensure I’m not limited by my ISP’s equipment. I chose the Ubiquiti Dream Machine Special Edition (DMSE) for its numerous features, including PoE support, and its excellent value for money. It essentially has everything I need and much more. I’ve bought their SFP connector plugged it in the SFP 10+ port and went wild. By doing this of course I voluntarily vendor-locked myself into Unifi and haven’t regretted it yet.

Proximus doesn’t seem to encourage this setup, as there’s limited information available through official channels. Also the person that installed my Fiber network mentioned that they don’t give support for users doing this type of setup. This of course didn’t stop me, if I pay for my internet I can do whatever I want with it. However, with some research and experimentation, I managed to get it working.

NOTE: Also note that Proximus doesn’t provide support if you would have Internet Connection issues with your new set-up. This shouldn’t be a big issue as you can easily put your ISP’s router in place for them to check the problems and replace it back once they’re done.

The solution

It’s pretty easy, just configure VLAN tagging on your router (in our case the Ubiquiti DMSE).

Previously, Proximus used VLAN tagging on different channels:

• VLAN 10: Internet
• VLAN 20: Voice
• VLAN 30: Video

As I only use Internet it was as simple as using the VLAN 10 and configuring the PPPoE credentials.

After migrating to 8.5 Gbps, my Dream Machine lost internet connectivity. Upon investigation, I discovered that Proximus had changed the configuration on newer fiber modems. Now, VLAN 20 is used for all services, simplifying the setup for users using Proximus TV or VoIP. Also there’s no more need to configure the credentials, you can just chose DHCPv4 without authentication.

Setting Up the Dream Machine SE

To configure the Dream Machine SE for use with Proximus Fiber:

1. Connect the DMSE directly to the Proximus ONT (Optical Network Terminal) , preferably on the SFP 10+ WAN port.
2. Configure the WAN port to use VLAN 20.
3. Choose DHCPv4 for your IPv4 Connection

Performance and Reliability

Props to Proximus for providing true fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service, unlike some competitors who market “fiber” but don’t actually bring it into your house. This results in significant speed differences between ISPs

With this setup, I’m consistently achieving impressive speed test results each night on my Unifi Dream Machine SE. The combination of Proximus’s robust fiber network and the DMSE’s capabilities ensures I’m getting the most out of my 8.5 Gbps connection.
Speeds vary from 6Gbps to 7.6Gbps download and are always around 1.5Gbps upload, which is pretty amazing. Also the 1.5Gbps upload speed exceeds the promised 1Gbps with 50% !

Conclusion

While it may require some technical know-how, replacing the Proximus Fiber Router with a Ubiquiti Dream Machine SE or any other decent router offers enhanced control, better performance, and a more flexible networking experience. For those willing to put in the effort, the rewards are well worth it.