Adding Unifi to G.Fast - Keep or replace SR204 ?????

[jsstevo]

Hi all,

I'm looking to add either a Unifi Express or Dream Router to control my home WiFi along with a couple of U6+ AP's.
Question is, do I keep my SR204 (running Sky BB g.fast) and turn the WiFi off (don't think double NAT is a great issue for me) or replace the  SR204 with something?  If so, what?

Been reading a lot about replacing SR204 and needing the Router (Unifi?) to send username / passwork on DHCP Option 61, something which I seem to understand is only needed for Sky g.fast, where as TalkTalk g.fast throught the same openreach line doesn't need this?  Does anyone know if this is true (might switch to TT as they can offer me twice the speed of Sky through the same line for the same price!)

So has anyone got a Unifi Express or Dream Router running after an SR204?
Or replaced the SR204 with a plain modem?
And can the Unifi Express or Dream Router send the Option 61?


Thanks all

[Chrisee]

@jsstevo with G.Fast service you need a modem and a router. Unless the Unifi router has a modem stahe built-in which I doubt you would need t o source ca modem as well. For simplicity using the SR204 with your new router in a double NAT config seems a sensible choice. As well as turning off the Sky wifi placing the second router in the Sky hub's DMZ should simplify anf firewall issues.

[jsstevo]

Hi, thanks for you reply.

I've now setup a Unifi Express and 2x U6 AP's which are working well, with the SP204 having wifi switched off.  I may consider buyer a Huawei MT992 to avoid any Double Nat and have 1 less complication in the setup (the UE does have Option 61).  So for now I'm trying to get the SR204 clean.

Please can you explain a little more about the comment......

As well as turning off the Sky wifi placing the second router in the Sky hub's DMZ should simplify any firewall issues.

I am seeing a few issues with systems like Hive and Sonos and wonder whether the firewalls are conflicting?

Thanks,

Jonathan

[jamesn123]

Hi @jsstevo 

Using the DMZ may well resolve some of the issues you are having with smart devices as many of them rely on UPnP which can be blocked when using two routers in series.

[jsstevo]

Hi @Chrisee , 

Please can you confirm if I can run the ZTLink MT992 G.Fast Modem to replace my SR204?  Is this the

Openreach Huawei MT992 or basically the same as, or does it need to be a specific Huawei MT992?

I'll then set up the Unifi to send details on Option 61.

Many thanks

[Chrisee]

@jsstevo no idea to be honest but a quick search turned up this link https://www.ispreview.co.uk/talk/threads/g-fast-modem.36967/page-2 where someone says the chipset is the same as the Huawei modem. You are correct that it is the router not the modem that handles the authentication.