3rd party router replacement

[AdamosiA]

Hi all, 

I recently got an Asus RT-AX82U which is actually everything I need in a router. Currently I'm running a CAT8 ethernet cable from the ONT to the sky hub then an Ethernet from the sky hub to the WAN port on the Asus router but I want to bypass the sky hub. I've tried everything from generic pppoe user and password to running wireshark to try find the DHCP details to log in and nothing is working. I have Sky FTTP and would rather not use the sky hub as a modem when it's technically not needed. I contacted sky and they were not able to help at all. Any guidance would be appreciated. I've watched multiple YouTube videos outwith what I had already tried. No Merlin firmware support for this router currently so any help would be much appreciated. Thanks. 

[dibdab]

@AdamosiA  Does the Asus RT-AX82U have an inbuilt modem?

[AdamosiA]

Not specifically but as i have FTTP I believe the ONT box can act as them modem and ethernet can be directly ran in to the Asus router from the ONT. All that is required is the PPPOE log in details for the connection but sky saying they can't provide this. People have successfully done this with this specific router so hence why I'm looking to attempt to do it too. 

[AdamosiA]

@dibdab Not specifically but as i have FTTP I believe the ONT box can act as them modem and ethernet can be directly ran in to the Asus router from the ONT. All that is required is the PPPOE log in details for the connection but sky saying they can't provide this. People have successfully done this with this specific router so hence why I'm looking to attempt to do it too. 

[mae-3]

@AdamosiA 

If you are in Ireland then PPPoE is necessary and the login details are easy, eg: anything@skydsl for username and anything for the password. If you are in the UK then Sky uses DHCP Option 61 client identifier and that Asus router I believe does not support DHCP Option 61 client identifier to connect through the ONT and authenticate to Sky?...

You could try using DHCPv6 Prefix Delegation (PD) to authenticate with Sky...

[AdamosiA]

@mae-3 thank you I'll try the DHCPv6 option next. I used wire shark to get the username and password but that's was standard option 61. So that could possibly work as I am in the UK yeah. It's not a problem using the sky hub but if I can bypass it so I don't need to power the ONT, Sky hub and router for 1 connection I'd prefer that. 

Thank you. 

[AdamosiA]

Got it to all work with the help from a friend. Need to enable IPv6 native and add the sky username in option 61 in WAN settings, reboot and all working. 

[TheSirFin]

Hi Mae-3!
I came across this thread and it has been a brilliant read, fascinated by your depth of knowledge on the topic.
I currently wish to do the same as the OP ... and replace my basic SkyHub with a better more modern setup. (Our internet connection is awful, and I am doing anything I can to make it less pants).
I have uploaded the details I believe you require in order to confirm (or not) if my WishList router will be compatable with my current connection?

My perferred new shiny toy is this:
https://www.asus.com/uk/Networking-IoT-Servers/Whole-Home-Mesh-WiFi-System/ZenWiFi-WiFi-Systems/ASUS...

Really appreciate any help you can give!

Thanks

Sirfin.

[TheSirFin]

HI @mae-3 Mae-3!

I have been reading this thread and I am really impressed by your deep knowledge and generous help you have been giving.
I was wondering if you could extend that help to me, as I would like to know if my connection would be compatable with a new router solution, which I would like to put in to try and improve things. Here are the details you requested from the OP on this thread, as well as details of the shiny new toy i hope will improve or stability and coverage.

Any assistance you can give will be much appreciated!

https://www.asus.com/uk/Networking-IoT-Servers/Whole-Home-Mesh-WiFi-System/ZenWiFi-WiFi-Systems/ASUS...

[TheSirFin]

trying again with the pictures ... .no idea why they didn't come throu.

@mae-3 

[mae-3]

@TheSirFin 

The pictures will need to be moderated which takes a little time, will reply once that has been done.

[mae-3]

@TheSirFin 

The router you have picked is an ethernet router and does not incorporate an ADSL2+ modem. May I enquire why you have chosen the Sky essential service which is the slowest broadband service that Sky offer? I highly recommend that you upgrade the service to Sky superfast or better by speaking to Sky directly.

[TheSirFin]

Hi @mae-3 
Thank you very much for the fast replies (and patience with my ignorance of the workings of the forum!)
Shame the device I had hoped to use (based a really good article in the Guardian) isn't compatable.

The easy answer is to why I am on Sky Essential, is that that is all they say they can provide to our address. We get ~16mbps down and 0.9mbps up, and it is really really flaking, constantly flicking up and down.
We have tried to get a better connection put in to our house, but nobody seems interested.
I thought by at least putting in a quality router rather than the basic sky one might at least improve the sitaution some what.

Thanks again!

[TheSirFin]

@mae-3 This was the article that got me thinking about doing this seriously!

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/oct/27/wifi-advice-techscape

Cheers, Fin!

[mae-3]

@TheSirFin 

The ethernet wifi router that you have picked is good but the most likely reason for poor throughput is the fact that you are on ADSL2+ which has an absolute maximum speed of 24Mbps downstream and 1.4Mbps upstream which is rather slow to today's standards.

The wireless ethernet router will perform at a speed likely reaching 600-700Mbps throughput which is well in excess of the speed you are receiving from the broadband line to the exchange which is quite close to your premises but the technology used is the oldest standard ADSL2+ and the router does not include a modem.

Is Sky superfast (VDSL2) or fibre to the premises (FTTP) available to your premises because that will be the most likely and most beneficial upgrade to speed before upgrading the wireless performance?