New 3rd Party Router - To Improve WiFi

[mae-3]

@rozel 

The signals transmit and receive through the telephone line and need a modem for VDSL2 signalling, eg: the Asus XT8 router you have is ethernet only. The modem converts VDSL2 signalling to ethernet.

Believe us all in the community you must have a modem to connect the system to the telephone line to remove the Sky kit.

[Skull+Treaty]

@rozel 

@mae-3 Beat me to it 😎

[rozel]

That's the answer I was looking for 👍 I most certainly wasn't challenging any of you at all, by asking, I learn, that's all.  I'd already ordered the Modem before reading your latest responses - can collect tomorrow morning so watch out for further questions around lunch time hihi

[mae-3]

@rozel 

Great, I have a single ZenWifi XT8 myself so can show screenshots of any settings you need, and have also helped others on the forum to set up their Asus XT8 with the ZenWifi mesh. 😀

[Skull+Treaty]

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@mae-3 wrote:

@rozel 

the Asus XT8 router you have is ethernet only. The modem converts VDSL2 signalling to ethernet.

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@mae-3 whatever happened to Token Ring 😄

[mae-3]

@Skull+Treaty 

Died a death when IBM lost their lead... 😎

[Skull+Treaty]

@mae-3 

Not so much Big Blue!

[rozel]

Just asking - but if my 2 units are ethernet only, how does the WiFi work?

[mae-3]

@rozel 

The wireless is tri-band (3 wireless bands), eg: one is used for 2.4Ghz, 1 * 5Ghz band is used for clients and the other 5Ghz band is used between the units for establishing the wireless mesh. The Asus XT8 units can also be wired ethernet together if necessary.

The WAN port is ethernet only and connects the unit to the public network via a VDSL2 modem in your case or an ONT in FTTP environments.

[mae-3]

@rozel 

Before even starting you need to install Asus XT8 firmware Version 3.0.0.4.386.42095 on the Asus XT8 units, as this is the best firmware for the total stability of the ZenWifi XT8 mesh system, eg: don't use the latest firmware as it isn't really designed for a mesh set-up and you will run into stability issues.

If you search on Google for 'Asus XT8 firmware' then pick the Asus site it is listed and can be downloaded and installed on the units.

The firmware update should be installed from a wired ethernet connected device to the units.

[rozel]

Thanks @mae-3, I really am appreciating your help. Getting my Modem from Argos first thing in the morning and yes, I was going to ask about firmware - I assume the one you quote needs installing on both units?

[mae-3]

@rozel 

Yes, that firmware release needs installing on both units.

[rozel]

Good morning!  @mae-3 and @cookiemonsteruk  - Right first up I tried disconnecting my Sky Router, plugged in the W9970 and inserted the DSL cable & ethernet to my PC.  Then I followed your instructions:

"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/

The web gui, after logging in looked nothing like that shown in the above faq, after selecting the "Quick Settings" or the "Basic Settings".  I did follow my nose and got it into Bridge Mode after selecting Sky VDSL but that was it.  A lot of other stuff presented itself which I didn't understand.  Obviously no Internet connection, so how do I upgrade the firmwares?  Do I go back to using my Sky's Internet and upgrade them with that? 

Yep fallen at the first hurdle.  And should I update the W9970's firmware too, once I understand what to do?

I've written this using my Sky's router but not sure I can connect the 3 new units alongside it.

Help 🙄

[cookiemonsteruk]

@rozel 

It would be advisable to upgrade the firmware until it doesn't update anymore

@jamesn123 any issues installing your tp link td w9970.  Any advice is appreciated

[Skull+Treaty]

@rozel 

I think the set-up GUI in the link @cookiemonsteruk provided is for the V1 or V2. 
if what you're seeing is a a turquoise colour in the set-up menu, it's likely the V3. 
In the ISP drop down, do you see two VDSL options for Sky?

VDSL_Sky(MER)_VDSL

and

VDSL_Sky