topic Re: Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement in Broadband

Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement

iKarampa — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 20:00:10 GMT

Hi all,

I am getting soon an FTTP Sky Broadband Ultrafast Plus with Sky Hub 4.2.

Download speeds: Max: 515.0Mbps; Min: 470.0Mbps.
Upload speeds: Max: 60.0Mbps; Min: 58.0Mbps.

I would like to replace the Hub with a router of my own. Can you suggest a budget friendly router which:

Will be able to handle the minimum 470mpbs download speed.
Has gigabit ports.
I am not interested in WiFi coverage. It will be disabled, as I already have a mesh system which I will connect via gigabit Ethernet to the router.
Allows to set my own DNS server via the router settings.
I have read that for Sky the router must support DHCP option 60 and 61 (I have no idea what this means and if it is a requiement, but I would be grateful if someone could clarify what is deal with this option).

Thank you in advance 🙌

Re: Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement

GD1 — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 20:09:19 GMT

@iKarampa Using the search bar at the top of the page which looks like this

GD1_0-1710274116406.png

search for 3rd party router, there are dozens of thteads about which routers many people use.

Re: Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement

cookiemonsteruk — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 04:30:58 GMT

@iKarampa

What mesh system do you have . ?

Re: Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement

Chrisee — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 08:01:16 GMT

@iKarampa There are potentially multiple ways to achieve your aims.

if you are in the UK any router connecting directly to the Openreach ONT must support DHCPv4 Option 61 to be guaranteed to authenticate the connection to Sky. Routers from Asus for example support this but those from TP-Link dont, its down to the firmware but most routers require manual configuration hence the recommendation to search the forum. This is because Sky do not use the more normal PPOE connection in the UK. Ireland is different.

Check before you buy it is possible your mesh system itself could connect directly to the ONT in router mode for example Netgear Orbi systems for can but my Deco system can't. However it could be connected behind the Sky hub if I wanted in a Double NAT config which would allow me to configure my own DNS. I still need to use the voice line Sky provides hence keep the. Sky hub as the first router.

Hope that helps.

Re: Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement

iKarampa — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 08:39:08 GMT

I have a BT whole home hub with 2 discs.

Re: Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement

iKarampa — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 08:40:44 GMT

Thanks,

My mesh is BT Whole home and unfortunately doesn't work as standalone router.

Re: Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement

iKarampa — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 08:44:40 GMT

Thank you, I did quick search and found a few options.

I am looking for a router that can saturate the full 500mpbs from the ONT. I posted about the 500 plan because it's not clear if all the suggested routers could do this.

Regards

Re: Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement

iKarampa — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:35:36 GMT

@Chrisee Do you know if a Netgear Orbi will be able to saturate a 500mpbs line?

Re: Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement

TimmyBGood — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:37:37 GMT

@iKarampa wrote:

I have a BT whole home hub with 2 discs.

Note that you'll be returning the BT Hub to them, and the older black BT disks are either on loan or will not work with another ISP. White disks and the recent black 802.11ax (WiFi 6) disks wil do.

Re: Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement

iKarampa — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:41:36 GMT

@TimmyBGood I have the white ones, bought them separetly.

Re: Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement

iKarampa — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:42:12 GMT

@Chrisee Which Netgear Orbi model do you have?

Re: Ultrafast Plus 500 router replacement

Chrisee — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 12:58:22 GMT

@iKarampa wrote:

@Chrisee Do you know if a Netgear Orbi will be able to saturate a 500mpbs line?

@iKarampa i would think most would assuming it is a wifi5 unit.