New 3rd Party Router - To Improve WiFi

[rozel]

@cookiemonsteruk  and @mae-3 - sorry guys, I know you are trying to help me but I am not understanding anything you say now.

I want to know if the ZenWifi TWIN-Pack's Mesh will give me better wifi coverage in my house than I'm getting now.  I assumed the Sky Router and Booster would be disconnected and sent back to Sky.

VPN - I use Nord software and will continue to use it.  I need landline calls.  If the Sky Router is to be retained, will its Mesh interfere with the Zen's ? 

Totally confused now

[mae-3]

@rozel 

1. Will the ZenWifi XT8 offer better wireless yes but it's not garenteed to solve the wireless issue, eg: it depends and you need to try it so do a buy or return if it doesn't work in your house environment.

2. Can you use the VPN outgoing, yes in any configuration.

3. If you want to completely remove the Sky router you need a modem as well and it is the best solution.

[rozel]

Thanks @mae-3 Grrr the twin-pack has completely sold out, unless you want the white ones, which would cost £399.  So went to currys to get 2 single units - just a little more than the twin-pack and delivery is expected tomorrow.   I'll set them up keeping the SR103 in the chain and take things from there.  I like ASUS as their kit has always lasted and is reliable.  With a bit of luck I will not require a separate modem and the Mesh they'll give will be much better than what I have now.

I'll have until 14th January to return them under their Extended Christmas Returns Policy 👍

Thanks for your help, extremely appreciated, even if a lot has gone over my head lol!  But I will research stuff I am not sure about - I'll download their setup guide and do some reading before going for it.

[rozel]

Hi again @cookiemonsteruk and @mae-3  -  I'm getting my two ASUS ZenWiFi AX (XT8) devices delivered in about a couple of hours and since my last post, I came across this excellent thread, which just about covers my situation: -  https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Broadband/ASUS-ZenWiFi-AX/td-p/3768549

I have pulled the plug completely on my SR203 to test that I can still get incoming and outgoing calls via our landline, which I can, so have decided to do away with the SR203/SE210 altogether and setup the two Zens alone.  May I ask a few more questions please: -

1.  I set up one as a router and the other as an Acess point - have I got this right? 

2.  Will this give me the Asus "Mesh"?

3.  After setting them both up close to each other, where would be the optimal position for Access Point one (or Node)? 

4.  Does this latter one, after setup need an ethernet connection or will Wifi be enough? 

5.  Finally do I need to have the "61" setting in the Router one or both? 

Sorry again for my simplistic questions, I just want to understand.   😁

[mae-3]

@rozel 

1. Nope, you set up the one connecting to the modem in router mode and 2 second one as a mesh node.

2. See 1.

3. Depending on the house, you'll need to try out the mesh node in different locations.

4. Wifi will usually be enough.

5. DHCP Option 61 only needs to be set up on the router.

[Skull+Treaty]

@rozel 

For option you're going for (not using the Sky Hub) you will need a separate modem - @cookiemonsteruk has suggested a TP link device in an earlier post. 

[cookiemonsteruk]

@rozel 

@Skull+Treaty yep. That post i believe is on fttp and that confuses the issue. I think in the first instance we get him up at running in access point 

[Skull+Treaty]

@cookiemonsteruk 

On page 2 the pic from @rozel  is a MK4 faceplate, FTTC

[mae-3]

@rozel 

Even though you are not connecting to a standalone modem you can connect your setup as described by myself and have double NAT and from what you have stated about the applications you are using it will work quite happily. The Sky router would stay in place, of course, currently.

[add] DHCP Option 61 isn't used only dynamic DHCP.

[mae-3]

@rozel 

This is the configuration for the WAN port when connecting to the Sky router:-

[rozel]

Very helpful indeed, thank you all.  But I want to do away with my Sky stuff altogether, I want to use the Zen's Mesh instead.  So are you saying I'll need a separate modem? I didn't think I needed one having read the other thread, quoted in my last post, but I'll get one.  Double Nat sends shivers down my spine but not sure why except folks get into difficulties with it

[mae-3]

@rozel 

You will need a standalone VDSL2 modem if you wish to remove the Sky kit completely.

[Skull+Treaty]

@rozel 

The link in your other post refers to an FTTP set-up rather than your FTTC set-up. The former doesn't require a modem as the ONT does that. 

[cookiemonsteruk]

@rozel 

I stand by original advice for £35

Instructions for setting up tp link td w9970 as modem bridge

select sky vdsl from isp list
https://www.tp-link.com/uk/support/faq/1332/

[rozel]

Brilliant again, thank you.  I understand a bit more now but to satisfy my curiosity, why do I need a separate modem for my fttc package, when I can make or receive calls without Sky's router?