Compatible 3rd party mesh systems with DHCP option 61 for FTTP

[Lewda]

Hi, I'm looking for an extensive list of 3rd party mesh systems that can utilise the DHCP option 61. 

I'm looking to replace the Sky Hub for better Wi-Fi coverage (150 year old, 3 storey, 5 bed house). The plan is for a wired backhaul. Currently have FTTP so I understand the ONT will handle the modem side of things, so I'm just looking for a mesh system to take over. 

We don't have a home phone so not an issue losing the VOIP function of the Hub. 

Can't seem to find a full list so any help would be appreciated - thanks! 

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Lewda 

2 wifi 6 ax mesh systems spring to mind :-

Asus zenwifi xt8 2 units cover 4400 sq ft . Asus suggests where 1 unit is the primary router and 1 the node that 2 is the maximum. A bigger house may require using the 2 units as mesh nodes and something like the asus rt ax88u as primary router

The Netgear orbi rbk853 can support more mesh nodes but is way more expensive than asus if money is an issue

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Lewda 

Netgear orbi rbk853

NETGEAR Orbi Mesh WiFi System (RBK853) | Wifi 6 Mesh Router with 2 Satellite Extenders|WiFi Mesh Whole Home Triband Coverage up to 6,000 sq ft and 100 Devices | 11AX Mesh AX6000 WiFi (Up to 6Gbps) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B081SF349N/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_5JN3B7GN138S5A67Y2HF

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Lewda 

By the way re: the rbk853 double check with netgear re: dhcp option 61 compatability. Their advertising suggests "supports all isps" . A recent post suggest might not. Maybe firmware has been upgraded

Are you in the uk or Ireland ?

[Lewda]

@cookiemonsteruk 

I'll check those out, thanks. 
I'm in the UK. 

Hopefully if anyone knows of any others then keep adding to this list. 

[CyberFriday]

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@Lewda wrote:

@cookiemonsteruk 

I'll check those out, thanks. 
I'm in the UK. 

Hopefully if anyone knows of any others then keep adding to this list. 

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@Lewda  You may not need a router with option 61 support if your broadband supports ipv6. As per Sky's advice linked below.

https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Broadband/Third-party-router-with-FTTP/td-p/3541862/page/2

[cookiemonsteruk]

@CyberFriday 

Just gives an extra means of authentication if you have both dhcp option 61 and dhcp v6 pd. The asus rt ax range has both, the netgear has at least option 61 

[CyberFriday]

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@cookiemonsteruk wrote:

@CyberFriday 

Just gives an extra means of authentication if you have both dhcp option 61 and dhcp v6 pd. The asus rt ax range has both, the netgear has at least option 61 

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@cookiemonsteruk  Customers shouldn't be out of pocket just to overcome Sky's shortcomings. Particularly where there are selling a seamless wireless world.   In my case i have always chosen to use a 3rd party router, irrespective of my ISP. But then you are left with the issue of getting any support for any of the other services you have. I am fortunate that i can always put my sky hub back into line and then ethernet from lan to wan on my own router.  But, even that upsets Sky's support process. ISP's generally need to do more to support customers who have their own routers. It's good to see Sky employees on the forum dipping in to some 3rd party router questions and in fact clearing up some misunderstandings. I don't really have a feel for the number of consumer ISPs out there who make you use option 61. Do, you know ?

[Lewda]

@CyberFridayAh interesting! Is there any way to know if my broadband supports that before making a purchase? And if it does, does that pretty much open any mesh system as a possibility? 

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Lewda 

It was thought that 100% of UK fttp connections support that means of authentication. However its not just the exchange that needs to support it the router needs to be able to be configured to support dhcpv6 prefix delegation.

It must have dual stack ipv4/ipv6

It must have dhcpv6 (dynamic) on the wan 

It must have prefix delegation on the wan 

It must be configurable for slaac/statless address allocation on the lan

[Chrisee]

@CyberFriday I admire your reforming zeal but doubt you will encorage Sky to change their policy. They gain commercial advantage by encouraging the vast majority of customers to use the hubs. To date Sky have provided the absolute minimum to conform to the Ofcom requirement that customers can use their own equipment. We are told that there can be no help oages or even pinned posts when  we have asked.

I dont know where Option 61 (aka MER) requiremnt came from but being non-standard does not bother Sky one bit. The change to the  T & Cs permitting the use of third party kit appeared a few weeks after the Ofcom requirement was highlighted in a post in this forum. Prior to that Sky said it was not allowed and at one point even actively discouraged posts on the subject. Whether the forum thread caused to change or it would have happened otherwise is another unknown but let us say it was highly coincidental. 😀

[simon194]

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@Chrisee wrote:

@CyberFriday 

I dont know where Option 61 (aka MER) requiremnt came from but being non-standard does not bother Sky one bit.

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DHCP Option 61 was introduced in the draft IETF RFC2131 document published in 1997 and is a standard part of the DHCP protocol and quite widely used for sending client ID data within networks.

I think the original reason Sky employed it was so they could stop non-Sky routers connecting to their network but it was never actually implemented. I remember prior to FTTC being available, Sky tested Option 61 at some exchanges using ADSL.

[jamesn123]

@Lewda 

If you have ethernet backhaul I would recommend using Ubiquiti access points. They work so well as a mesh network when you have them wired up. 

[CyberFriday]

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@Chrisee wrote:

@CyberFriday I admire your reforming zeal but doubt you will encorage Sky to change their policy. They gain commercial advantage by encouraging the vast majority of customers to use the hubs. To date Sky have provided the absolute minimum to conform to the Ofcom requirement that customers can use their own equipment. We are told that there can be no help oages or even pinned posts when  we have asked.

I dont know where Option 61 (aka MER) requiremnt came from but being non-standard does not bother Sky one bit. The change to the  T & Cs permitting the use of third party kit appeared a few weeks after the Ofcom requirement was highlighted in a post in this forum. Prior to that Sky said it was not allowed and at one point even actively discouraged posts on the subject. Whether the forum thread caused to change or it would have happened otherwise is another unknown but let us say it was highly coincidental. 😀

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@Chrisee  Someone has to carry the flag 😉  Lets not forget that it's the customers who are paying Sky. And similarly to my all in one comment re Glass i'd say that Sky trying to do everything (content, internet, email etc) inevitably means trade offs. And if you are in the space where those are acceptable then fine. Just waiting for fttp and then will have a separate broadband provider (one that just delivers that service). I already have a non Sky email provider. And that will leave  Sky for tv content. And, it's easier to change one without impacting all the others. 

[CyberFriday]

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@simon194 wrote:

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@Chrisee wrote:

@CyberFriday 

I dont know where Option 61 (aka MER) requiremnt came from but being non-standard does not bother Sky one bit.

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DHCP Option 61 was introduced in the draft IETF RFC2131 document published in 1997 and is a standard part of the DHCP protocol and quite widely used for sending client ID data within networks.

I think the original reason Sky employed it was so they could stop non-Sky routers connecting to their network but it was never actually implemented. I remember prior to FTTC being available, Sky tested Option 61 at some exchanges using ADSL.

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Any ideas on the how wide spread option 61 is used by consumer providers of broadband. So, if @Lewda bough a router that didn't support option 61 how much of the broadband market are they being locked out of ?