G.Fast, Draytek Vigor 166 and Netgear Orbi

[PapaRey]

We only have access to FTTC and are due to be upgraded to Ultrafast (G.fast) next week. Are we able to skip using the Sky Hub and instead implement a Vigor 166 in bridged mode (which I understand it should be out of the box) and connect an Orbi mesh system (850 series) via ethernet? I'm guessing I'll need to adjust and input info for various settings but honestly have no knowledge of where to start. Is there anywhere I can source the necessary settings?

As an aside, I've seen conflicting comments, but is there any issue with connecting Sky Q mini boxes in the above setup using Netgear PL1000 powerline adapters?

[Chrisee]

@PapaRey there is a guide on Drayrek's site for setting the Vigor 166 in bridge mode. The authentication of the connection is down to the router Sky use a different authentication system than other ISPs which is DHCPv4 Option 61 which requiresca string of user and password in the form

anything@skydsl|anything 

I seem to remember you cannot use the Orbi app to set that up you need use the web interface this article looks correctvfrom a quick scan https://digitalelysium.medium.com/configuring-sky-fibre-broadband-sky-tv-to-work-with-an-orbi-mesh-5...

Q minis wont connect to the Orbi wifi but should using their ethernet connection via a powerline adapter but turn off their wifi which can be accessed via the engineer's menu opened by navigating to settings but entering 001 before select.

[PapaRey]

@Chrisee that's great, thank you, and confirms my expectations. I'd read on the Draytek site that the modem is auto set in bridged mode as standard, so hopefully that will be pretty well plug and play.

I've also come across the article you linked to before and wondered if that was indeed the way to go about it, so it's good to have confirmation and a bookmark for it!

Is the powerline likely to have any issues? I've seen several posts about G.Fast not playing nicely with powerline but can't see how or why that should be an issue when connected to the orbi router or satellite.

[Chrisee]

@PapaRey actually you do have a point about powerline and G.Fast. The issue apparently is that some but not all adapters use similar frequencies to carry data as G.Fast uses.  Given you can't stop some leakage of the carrier freqencies from the mains they simply knock out the much weaker G.Fast signals the modem is trying to listen to. However don't ask me which adapters are OK and which aren't as I dont know.

[PapaRey]

@Chrisee having had a very quick Google, it suggests the Netgear PL1000 operates between 2MHz and 86MHz. The G.fast connection seems to be variable up to either 106 or 212MHz.

So hopefully will be OK....will just have to try and find out I guess.

[mae-3]

@PapaRey 

The G.fast signal is from about 18Mhz to 106Mhz in the UK, so almost all homeplugs will interfere with the G.fast signal when near the telephone cabling.

[PapaRey]

@mae-3@mae-3 @ what a pain

Is the solution then to just run an ethernet cable from one of the Orbi satellites into the powerline, rather than directly from the router which will be located close to the incoming line? That way the powerlines will be nowhere near the incoming line?

[mae-3]

@PapaRey 

Sometimes that will be beneficial to reduce the interference between homeplugs, house electrical wiring and G.fast telephone line.

In my research for VDSL2 and G.fast, VDSL2 needs to be separated by a metre and G.fast by about 3 metres between the signals in these two systems, remembering that the homeplugs signals will flow around the complete electrical house wiring ring.

[PapaRey]

@mae-3 yes, the separation will be difficult considering the latter point. The incoming internet socket is only about 1m away from the closest electrical socket and there is little I can do about that!

[mae-3]

@PapaRey 

Can I see your noise margin on the G.fast router stats currently, if they are high because you are very close to the G.fast cabinet you may still get away with using homeplugs, eg: the noise margin would need to be around 10dB or higher mark.

[PapaRey]

@mae-3 I don't know if you clocked it in the original post, but the G.fast isn't being installed/activated until next week. Don't know that I can provide any data before then?

[Chrisee]

@mae-3 thanks for the info it has added to my own knowledge. 

[mae-3]

@PapaRey 

The VDSL2 router stats may offer some useful information until G.fast is installed, this will indicate noise on the line of up to about 17Mhz or slightly higher frequency. And would certainly give an indication of distance from the cabinet which would be useful for calculating figures for G.fast noise margins at 160Mbps.

[PapaRey]

It doesn't look good...

[mae-3]

@PapaRey 

It is a nice line but the distance is about 250-270 metres from the cabinet suggesting that G.fast could operate at 160Mbps but with low noise margins of about 3-6dB at that 160Mbps speed if it even makes that speed.

I think you'll find homeplugs, especially the ones you have picked and the distance from the telephone line or electrical ring would indicate an issue when using the HomePlug technology concurrently with G.fast.