Hi Sunrise Community & Support Team, I am currently still using the original **Connect Box 1**. I was offered the **Connect Box 3 Fiber** a while back, but ended up returning it due to its restrictive firmware (specifically the lack of **Bridge Mode** and the inability to set **custom DNS servers** for local DHCP distribution like for Pi-hole, AdGuard Home, or personal home lab routers). I know Sunrise historically hasn't communicated roadmap details in advance, but it has been a very long wait for basic networking features that are standard across many other ISPs (or even available on Sunrise's own HFC/coax hardware). Before I make any long-term decisions about my home network setup, I wanted to ask the community and moderators: 1. **Fiber Bridge Mode / Modem Mode:** Is there any update on bringing true Bridge Mode to standard Fiber subscribers (Connect Box 3 Fiber or newer models), or is the DMZ workaround officially the only option Sunrise will offer going forward?I briefly read somewhere that would be impossible with xpon technology… 2. **Custom DNS Options:** Has there been any shift regarding allowing users to configure primary/secondary DNS IP addresses within the Connect Box DHCP settings? 3. **Next-Gen Hardware / Wi-Fi 7:** Is Sunrise working on or planning to release a new flagship Fiber Box in the near future (e.g., equipped with **Wi-Fi 7**, higher-port 10GbE LAN options, or updated firmware that caters better to power users)? 4. **Firmware Updates:** I saw there was a recent firmware rollouts for the Connect Box 3 Fiber could that address these advanced configuration limitations? Currently, my options seem limited to: * Staying on my current box and using DMZ behind a secondary router (which I am going to upgrade soon) * Running a custom local DHCP server on my LAN to push custom DNS settings manually. * Bypassing the box entirely via SFP (on P2P/VLAN 10) where supported, though unsupported by Sunrise. Any insights, official updates, or recent experiences from fellow members running custom setups behind Sunrise Fiber would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Aug 2026 Connect Box 1 or 3: Any upcoming support for Bridge Mode or Custom DNS?

Henrymote

Hi Sunrise Community & Support Team,

I am currently still using the original Connect Box 1. I was offered the Connect Box 3 Fiber a while back, but ended up returning it due to its restrictive firmware (specifically the lack of Bridge Mode and the inability to set custom DNS servers for local DHCP distribution like for Pi-hole, AdGuard Home, or personal home lab routers).

I know Sunrise historically hasn’t communicated roadmap details in advance, but it has been a very long wait for basic networking features that are standard across many other ISPs (or even available on Sunrise’s own HFC/coax hardware).

Before I make any long-term decisions about my home network setup, I wanted to ask the community and moderators:

Fiber Bridge Mode / Modem Mode: Is there any update on bringing true Bridge Mode to standard Fiber subscribers (Connect Box 3 Fiber or newer models), or is the DMZ workaround officially the only option Sunrise will offer going forward?I briefly read somewhere that would be impossible with xpon technology…
Custom DNS Options: Has there been any shift regarding allowing users to configure primary/secondary DNS IP addresses within the Connect Box DHCP settings?
Next-Gen Hardware / Wi-Fi 7: Is Sunrise working on or planning to release a new flagship Fiber Box in the near future (e.g., equipped with Wi-Fi 7, higher-port 10GbE LAN options, or updated firmware that caters better to power users)?
Firmware Updates: I saw there was a recent firmware rollouts for the Connect Box 3 Fiber could that address these advanced configuration limitations?

Currently, my options seem limited to:

Staying on my current box and using DMZ behind a secondary router (which I am going to upgrade soon)
Running a custom local DHCP server on my LAN to push custom DNS settings manually.
Bypassing the box entirely via SFP (on P2P/VLAN 10) where supported, though unsupported by Sunrise.

Any insights, official updates, or recent experiences from fellow members running custom setups behind Sunrise Fiber would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Cosmo24

Hello Henrymote

Since we are a “customers helping customers” forum, we don’t have access to the roadmap. The Sunrise support team is out of office until next week, so there won’t be any feedback here soon. Even if they were here, they cannot provide any upcoming firmware or hardware details in advance. Whenever major updates or new devices actually release, they are normally already communicated right here in the forum.

To address your points based on the current situation:

1. Fiber Bridge Mode: There is no update. It remains unavailable for fiber. The DMZ workaround is what power users have to rely on.

2. Custom DNS: This feature is locked down. Recent firmware updates did not change this. Turning off DHCP on the Connect Box and letting your local server handle it is your best option.

3. Wi-Fi 7 / Next-Gen: Nothing has been officially announced yet.

Many advanced users here are not happy with these restrictions, but it is unlikely that Sunrise will change this policy soon. Your mentioned workarounds remain the only realistic path forward.

Cheerio, cosmo

Henrymote

Cosmo24 Thanks, that was I expected but it was easily over a year since I last asked here 🙂
Not much evolution 😅

Boimbeengai35

I would imagine hardwiring the DNS is choice they made because it’s required for their security produce which they keep trying to force on me.

It’s highly frustrating, but at the same time it’s maybe true that it would be a lot better if the majority of their user base could not, and did not, mess with things. There’s certainly a number of posts and queries on various forms where people are trying to configure fairly complex gear but struggling with the tech

Maybe the answer is to unlock these features, but instead of a CAPTCHA use a basic networking competency test: “Given 192.168.10.37/27, what are the network and broadcast addresses?” Pass that and you’re allowed into the advanced settings :-)

Even so, I do think this box has real problems.

Henrymote

Boimbeengai35 To be fair I was able to unlock their UI restriction about DNS fairly easily a while ago.

I’m just trying to have a hassle free setup, especially that my LAN is complex.

Also unable to change the dns at Sunrise Modem level, makes its wifi useless for me…

Cosmo24

Henrymote

Consistency is key at Sunrise, so some things just never change. 😅

A lot can happen in a year, but the firmware restrictions remain frozen in time. If you want to see any network evolution in your home lab, you definitely have to take matters into your own hands. Relying on the local DHCP server workaround or the DMZ setup remains your best path to survival. 😂

Let us hope that the next year brings more surprises than just the same locked settings.

Boimbeengai35

Cosmo24 Consistency is key at Sunrise, so some things just never change

Given that our previous Sunrise DSL was more fully featured that the fibre one, the issue is lack of consistency

We lost the DECT base station as well. That’s a pretty serious lack of consistency

Henrymote

Cosmo24 Yes, I have until now… Since I’m abiout to change my own router soon, I was planning on doing a big network redesign, I hate dmz 😅!

Cosmo24

Boimbeengai35

You are absolutely right about the hardware downgrades. Losing features like the integrated DECT base station is a real step backward for many users.

Personally, I cannot comment too much on the old DSL boxes since I switched directly from Coax/kabel to Fiber a while ago. Back then, my home network needs were very basic anyway, just simple surfing. I handled all complex things at my business network and since I was mostly at the office, I did not need any advanced features at home.

But looking at the current Connect Box 3 firmware, the lack of consistency and features for advanced home setups is schon a valid complaint.

Henrymote

Cosmo24 I would not call a DNS a complex feature 😅(I know, you meant other features 🤫)

It’s just ugly, can’t be automated, can’t change DNS, and basically, some advanced users only need a decent modem, instead of being blocked an having to manage something from the past and/or limited…

Cosmo24

Henrymote

You are completely right about DNS and it is definitely not a complex feature. Locking these basic settings feels very outdated.

Since you hate DMZ and want a clean redesign your frustration is absolutely understandable. Hopefully you can still find a working setup with your new router despite these hardware limitations.🤞

Cheerio cosmo

Henrymote

Cosmo24 My ears got unofficial information that a new box is coming “soon” (no specific date given). Apparently the customers willing to change basic settings were listenened. Ok it’s probably customer service/seller unreliable information, yet there might be some truth in it…
I enquired after checking the topic that some technical changes were being made soon for some customers. Nothing special, it’s approximately the 2 years tech updates, mixed with newer tech from Sunrise…
As I still get the old connect box1 or something, I should also be eligible for the newer box (I was for the connect 3, but returned it as soon as I saw dns blocked).
Just need to wait a bit more now, and hope that it’s not disappointing launch 🙂

Cosmo24

Henrymote

Unofficial rumors regarding upcoming hardware should always be taken with a grain of salt. If new devices were on the way, they would likely not be heavily publicized. You can probably imagine why. 😁 A deployment for new customers or a silent update on the website seems much more realistic. However, if any firmware updates for advanced settings are ready for a public rollout, the details will likely be officially announced.

Cheerio, cosmo

Henrymote

Cosmo24 It came from an Sunrise internal source, using official contact channels, stating that they received internal information on upcoming new device (corresponding to connect box 4, not disclosing any brand name or anything).
Looked genuine, and it does corresponds to the usual timeline from Sunrise rolling out new things (which is easily over 2 years now, if I’m not mistaken, since connectbox3 horror was released).
So its not as if its a leak, but rather matching two potentially credible information, and making a vague statement out of it… “soon” will be a new box… When? Well we will see… probably months, as you said, would be surely communicated already if that would be imminent…
Edit: To confirm my message, yes, it’s nothing concrete and we should obviously all manage our expectations, nothing officially announced yet, so let’s wait and see. I’m just comforted somehow to know it should be something out soon…