topic Re: Third party router or new powerline extender? in Broadband

Third party router or new powerline extender?

hapazard2 — Thu, 09 May 2024 10:44:06 GMT

We’ve had FTTP with Sky for a few years now. We have to use power line extenders (BT Extender 600) to provide sufficient connectivity in our bedrooms. Unfortunately, the slowest speed is delivered to my son’s bedroom (about 8mbps). This is due to distance from SR203 router etc)

He’s finishing Uni shortly, and we want him to have better speed for work etc.

Would I be better buying a decent third party router (that’s compatible with the SR203) and connect extender to that or buy a more powerful extender, if available?

Many thanks

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

jamesn123 — Thu, 09 May 2024 11:38:00 GMT

@hapazard2

A more powerful source is almost always better than an extender so If it were me I would be investing in a more powerful 3rd party router that would also benefit the rest of the house.

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

hapazard2 — Thu, 09 May 2024 12:10:33 GMT

Ok thanks. I suppose there's a remote possibility the new router might negate the need for the extenders? (Were only talking about three bed, smallish semi)

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

jamesn123 — Thu, 09 May 2024 12:41:18 GMT

@hapazard2 wrote:

Ok thanks. I suppose there's a remote possibility the new router might negate the need for the extenders? (Were only talking about three bed, smallish semi)

I would say there is a good chance a 3rd party router over the Sky router would negate the need for extenders. Its the exact reason why I always invest in a good quality router for my home because you then end up not needing to spend money on extenders, boosters or ISP addons like 'Sky Boost or Sky Max'. It also means theres less chance of things going wrong like extenders disconnecting.

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

hapazard2 — Thu, 09 May 2024 13:21:04 GMT

Thanks again. Don't suppose you could recommend one? (Or two)

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

jamesn123 — Thu, 09 May 2024 15:27:08 GMT

@hapazard2

Personally any Asus one. I have the Asus RT-AX88u

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

hapazard2 — Fri, 10 May 2024 21:17:08 GMT

Hi again

I'm going to get the Asus RT-AX88u. We have Sky Talk via VOIP, so need to pass thru the SR203. Is my understanding correct here?

1. Ethernet from ONT to SR203.

2. Ethernet from SR203 to Asus RT-AX88u.

3. Switch off WiFi on SR203.
4. Set DHCPv4 Option 61on Asus.

5. Run the three current ethernet cables from Asus, not SR203. (Sky Q, Firestick and powerline adapter)

Thanks

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

jamesn123 — Tue, 14 May 2024 09:26:14 GMT

@hapazard2

No. The Sky hub does not have modem mode so if your connecting your Asus RT-AX88u through the Sky hub there is no need to set the DHCP Option 61 field. Simply set the WAN to automatic IP and it'll get a local IP from the Sky hubs DHCP server.

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

hapazard2 — Tue, 14 May 2024 16:13:19 GMT

Thanks. Won't profess to understand all the terminology used. Also assuming points 1, 2, 3 and 5 were correct.

Incidentally, saw some other posts advising need to switch off Sky Q WiFi, as that causes problems. Ours is currently hard wired and would remain so with the Asus. Is that a consideration for me?

Finally- was thinking of getting AX6000 now. (Available from Argos and have credit and good options there) Is that also going to significantly improve WiFi performance?

Thanks for your time.

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

jamesn123 — Tue, 14 May 2024 16:32:25 GMT

@hapazard2

Even if your Sky Q is wired I would still avoid using the Sky Q mesh if your going to installing a 3rd party router.

The AX6000 should be a good option yea

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

hapazard2 — Tue, 14 May 2024 17:03:44 GMT

Cheers

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

hapazard2 — Tue, 14 May 2024 23:12:27 GMT

Hi again

Haven't bought router yet😀 However, tried to turn Q Wi-Fi off. Try as I may, I can't get to hidden menu with the remote. Tried the number sequence, not selecting settings etc but no cigar.

Just wondered if there was some known glitch with this? (Screen doesn't change at all)

Thanks and goodnight.

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

hapazard2 — Wed, 15 May 2024 20:45:39 GMT

Hi again

Forget about the v hidden, hidden Sky Q menu. There was another dimension to the poor WiFi/adaptor speed in my son's bedroom. That is the device itself. PlayStation and my office Lenovo connect wirelessly in that room around 150mbps. (Even with SR203) The issue only concerns a Windows 11 desktop, about five years old. If the network card is the issue, would that not necessarily improve with a new router?

Regards

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

jamesn123 — Thu, 16 May 2024 09:21:13 GMT

@hapazard2

Would be useful if you could get the model of the WiFi adapter in it

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

hapazard2 — Thu, 16 May 2024 16:24:36 GMT

Thanks. I've asked my son to check. (He's got pc in Uni) I do know it was bought latter part of 2021.

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

jamesn123 — Thu, 16 May 2024 16:27:29 GMT

@hapazard2

If it was brand new in 2021 then chances are the WiFi adapter isnt the issue and more likely that its the adapter settings within Windows. You probably need to tell it to 'Prefer 5ghz' as to me it sounds like the PC is picking a 2.4ghz signal whereas other devices nearby like the Playstation are picking a 5ghz signal which is usually much faster and less prone to interference.

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

hapazard2 — Thu, 16 May 2024 17:14:14 GMT

Yes, brand new thanks. I think you're onto something. I moved an older (2017) Desktop into his room yesterday to test that. I noticed that was also defaulting to the 2.4Ghz network, (Still 20mbps, with 40mbps using the BT Extender thingy)

Watch this space.

Regards

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

hapazard2 — Sun, 19 May 2024 23:54:12 GMT

Hi again again

Update- the internal WiFi adaptor cards on both our Windows desktops only support 2.4Ghz, so will order replacement card and try that.

If I eventually decide to add a third party router, do the Ethernet cables that currently run from SR203 go from the new router? (I know wifi devices will connect to the new one, WiFi turned off on SR203 etc etc. Just not sure about wired devices? (Or doesn't it matter?)

Thank you

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

jamesn123 — Tue, 21 May 2024 09:28:06 GMT

@hapazard2

Depends how you decide to set it up. If you turn DHCP off on the Sky hub and use DHCP on your new router then the cables need to connect to the new router. If you decide to just use the new router as a WiFi access point for your devices then the cables can stay connected to the Sky hub.

Re: Third party router or new powerline extender?

hapazard2 — Tue, 21 May 2024 09:34:32 GMT

Ok thanks. Will keep the cables connected to the SR203 then.