Asus RT-AX56U with Superfast and Standard Master Socket

[Killerbot]

I used to run a third party router many moons ago when I was on VMB however since moving to Sky and my inherent lazyness I've been running their hub for years now and am beginning to get fed up of how poor the wireless is.  I'm also going to start messing more with my Oculus Quest 2 and PC VR via wireless (so need a good stable and fast performing signal).

In any case I've picked up an RT-AX56U and from what I've read on here from other posts, I'm also going to need to pick up something like a TP-Link TD-W9970 and set it in modem only mode.  I'm not too keen on keeping the Sky hub and just using the Asus as an AP so would rather remove it entirely.

Am I right in thinking I won't need the Merlin firmware for the Asus as it's the TP-Link that will be authenticating with Sky?  Could anyone tell me what the settings I'd need on the TP-Link are or will it just work out the box once I select my ISP and whatnot?

Any help would be great.  Not going to be taking delivery of them for a few days yet but I like to get everything prepared so I'm not spending hours googling on the day. 

If anyone has any other advice in regards to getting the most out of the Asus (in particular with regards to wireless PC VR) I'm all ears there too. 

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Killerbot 

If you initially perform firmware upgrades until it doesn't update anymore with the asus etherneted to the sky hub it should allow to enter client identifier (option 61) without the need for merlin firmware.

Then disconnect the sky hub and sep the tp link to modem bridge

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/

And enter client identifier (option 61)

Anything@skydsl|anything

Into the asus

[Killerbot]

That's great thank you.

So just plug in Asus to Sky Hub, connect to Web interface and update, update, update as much as it can. Make sure there's the option to add DHCP Option 61.  I'm guessing there's no harm entering that option as Anything@skydsl|anything and then disconnecting from the Sky Hub so it's ready to go as soon as the TP Link in Bridge mode?

Then set the TP Link up as advised in your Link, before plugging the ADSL cable in and finally the Asus into TP Link and throwing the Sky Hub into the loft to gather dust?

I already disabled the Mesh on our Sky Q as that was causing me grief (and we don't use any other Sky boxes anyway) and then use PowerLines to cable other bits elsewhere in the house.

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Killerbot 

Thats pretty much it, yes 👍

[TomThumb5ive]

@Killerbot   if you have been provisioned with or need sky's digital home phone (VoIP)

Just be aware that this service is unavailable without sky's SR203 router in place.

Tom...

[Killerbot]

Thanks for the heads up Tom but, thankfully, no land line or Voip. Just the TV packages (1 x SkyQ box) and Broadband.

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Killerbot 

Also with sky q boxes a 3rd party router will only work on 2.4ghz wifi as far as i know. So consider etherneting the asus to the sky q box if there are other ssids that may interfere with with the asus 2 4ghz ssid

[Killerbot]

I disabled the WiFi in the SkyQ box via the engineer menu and then wire that and a couple other things to our Router via a Powerline adaptor. Works well enough thankfully.

I just find coverage on the Sky Router is awful and finally got to the point I can actually do something about it.

[cookiemonsteruk]

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@Killerbot wrote:

I disabled the WiFi in the SkyQ box via the engineer menu and then wire that and a couple other things to our Router via a Powerline adaptor. Works well enough thankfully.

I just find coverage on the Sky Router is awful and finally got to the point I can actually do something about it.

---

Thats good to know . There has been suggestions that sky q does not work well with anything other than a direct ethernet connection 

[Tester12345]

Brilliant great information.  I just got the TD-W9970. 

I have the Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Model XR1000 and would like some more information on setting up the DHCP part. 

[mae-3]

@Tester12345 

Ensure the router is running firmware version 1.0.0.58 or later which supports DHCP Option 61, upgrade the firmware if it is lower until you reach that firmware release or later. Fill in the DHCP Option 61 field with 'anything@skydsl|anything' without the single quotes. And then connect to the line, also you will need to set up a VLAN of 101 for VDSL2 on the modem or router but not both.

[Killerbot]

What's this about the VLAN sorry @mae-3?  I come from an IT background so I know "what" and "why" we Vlan but this is the first I've heard of it when looking at setting up the TP-Link and Asus combo.  Could you elaborate why?

My plan is to set the TP-Link in Modem only mode and bridge it to the Asus so I'd likely VLAN on the Asus but just wondering if this is essential for Superfast or if it only applies to Ultrafasts upwards?  If it applies to both is it the WAN port on the Asus that needs to be in the VLAN or does the VLAN just need to "exist" as an interface on the Asus?

[mae-3]

@Killerbot 

For BT's Openreach VDSL2 system it requires a VLAN of 101 to work on the WAN interface in the UK and that is superfast, for full-fibre there is no requirement the VLAN is unset and that is ultrafast full-fibre FTTP. But it doesn't matter what side of the WAN interface VLAN 101 is set, eg: either in the TP-Link incoming or Netgear router outgoing for @Tester12345 

For you, I suggest using the VLAN setting on the Asus WAN... The reason why is that if you don't have a VLAN of 101 on either side of the incoming WAN or outgoing WAN it won't work for BT Openreach VDSL2 in the UK per SIN 517/527!

[Killerbot]

That's brilliant, thank you @mae-3.

I'll VLAN on the Asus as you suggest and post back here with results once it's all done.  I'm expecting the Router on Monday although the TP-Link may not be til end of week.

Sounds like I have everything I need though so fingers crossed it all just "works" once it's in place.

[mae-3]

@Killerbot 

With the information that @cookiemonsteruk has provided for the TP-LInk it VLAN tags 101 a router in a bridge in the instructions, remember you will need to unset VLAN on the TP-Link bridge VLAN settings and change the instructions when using the tag 101 VLAN on the Asus, for you cannot tag twice it is one or the other, not both devices for WAN VLAN tagging of 101. Alternatively, just use the instructions that @cookiemonsteruk provided and leave Asus untagged on WAN VLAN as it's done in the TP-Link router (modem bridge) WAN port incoming.