Can I replace Sky Q hub with Archer Air R5

[Kryptos]

Hi everyone. I have a Sky Q Hub and 2 Sky pucks as well. The problem is the wire is really short so it becomes inconvenient to place the box somewhere. So I want to upgrade the router and came across the Archer Air R5 from TP Link. It is really thin and can stick discreetly on a wall. But I don't know if it is possible to use it. Is this upgrade possible and if not then is there any other thin wall-mountable router which could work? Thanks.

[Chrisee]

@Kryptos that TP-Link router is not suitable to be used on a Sky service. TP-Link do not offer support for Sky's required authentication method which is DHCPv4 Option61. If your service is over a copper phoneline you would also need a separate modem to connect to the line but the authentication issue remains. A combined TP-Link modem router normally will connect to Sky services over copper.

If it is simply a matter of the cable length you can easily buy a longer cable. If your service is over copper look for a DSL modem cable fitted with rj11 connectors . You can pick one up online or at hardware stores or larger supermarkets. Try to keep the cable under 10 metres.

You can buy a replacement router if you really want but look for units from Asus or Netgear who can support Sky connections.

[Kryptos]

Hi @Chrisee , thanks for your reply. Our service is over fibre. We have a fibre cable coming in externally to a box near our door and then 2 cables run from that box to the router. Is there any way to use the sky router as just a modem and use the TP Link router as the router? I used to have Virgin Media until quite recently and there was something called modem mode there which could do this. Is this possible here?

[TimmyBGood]

@Kryptos 

Unfortunately Sky does not equip any model of their own-brand router with a 'modem mode'.

[Kryptos]

@TimmyBGood Oh ok. Is it possible to get a separate modem and router then? In that case does authentication matter on the router? Essentially is there any way through which I would be able to use TP-Link Archer Air R5 or is it a definite no-go? If so are there any other routers you would suggest which are thin and wall mountable?

[TimmyBGood]

@Kryptos 

Typically in this scenario the 'modem' doesn't do authentication: the router has to be capable of that.  From memory some of the Draytek Vigor hardware may be capable of doing username/password but can be a pain to configure.

One issue with alternative router hardware is that all the manufacturers have tended to go for the big box aesthetic, presumably to convince purchasers they are getting more for their money (and, practically, to host all those antennae)