Got Sky ADSL broadband and want to replace the ER115 hub and install a gigabit internal network

[DannyZ]

Hey everyone, I have sky's superslow limited edition broadband due to living in Cornwall.

I game on my ps5, and PC, I also media stream throughout the house from a media center, air drop my macbook and have 3 phones etc.

I need a new internal network. I'm looking at the TP-Link TD-W9970 for the modem and the ASUS RT-AX88U to handle the internal network and also dish out the internet to those connected aswell...

Is this possible? Can I bin the sky hub and soley run the 9970? I can only find guides online for fibre!

Also is it then possible to ethernet that modem into the RT-AX88U to provide the wifi and lan?

I DO NOT, want to use double nat.

If this won't work can anyone suggest a setup that can?

Many thanks!

[Chrisee]

@DannyZ its a pretty unusual set-up as ADSL connections are increasingly rare but in principle itvshould work. Set the TP-Link to operate in bridge mode and conect the Asus unit as you describe, its a bit like buying a Porsche to drive on Guernsey with a 35mph speed limit but if that is what you need.

Sky use PPOA for authentication on ADSL rather than the MER you will find for VDSL.I assume the Asus unit should support that but you may have to extract your account details from your Sky Hub although an online search found the following standard PPOA log in which may still work

User installato2broadband.co.uk replace at with @

password Install

VPI :0

VCI:38 

(Sky bought out the old O2 broadbsnd service many years back and some of the legacy stuff dates from then)

Asdume you have looked at alternative services like Starlink or mobile broadband if your area is strictly ADSL only. If you haven't already done so put your full address into this checker as while Sky may not have a fibre service on your exchange other isps may offer something https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome

[DannyZ]

It wont let me upload the image but I am on the fibre but the slower one with copper to house I believe.

It says MER, on my hub page...

Can't upload pic but here's a screenshot of my sky hub dashboard page

https://scontent-lcy1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/325382055_579119926884143_6086011646296932903_n.j...

[jamesn123]

Hi @DannyZ 

That setup will work fine its exactly how I had mine setup when I was with Sky. Even the same Asus router, its a good one

[TimmyBGood]

---

@DannyZ wrote:

 I have sky's superslow limited edition broadband due to living in Cornwall.

---

Note your Hub summary shows you're on FTTC running at 46Mbs inbound and 9Mbs out.  While that's a bit below the national average for the technology (probably down to line length from the fibre cabinet), it's not awful.

[DannyZ]

Awesome mate! Can you share your settings/a guide? I'm a total networking noob

[DannyZ]

Guys the guy who owned the house before me installed the "bt internet" wall box upstairs (this has an RJ11 connection and a phone line connection)

Now I want to route it downstairs, unfortunately the house was built with the lines in the wall... So I can't cut it from outside the house as its underground and inside the walls...

So I need to run an RJ11 cable from the bt white box (with the master filter on it) 7.5 meters down stairs to where I want my new router to be...

Is going to reduce my internet speed due to the added copper line?

I don't want to smash up the house trying to trace the wire

So wondering if 7.5m RJ11 cable into my new router downstairs would cause speed issues?

[DannyZ]

Alternatively I can leave the new TP-Link TD-W9970 upstairs and run a cat7 cable down the side of the house downstairs into the ASUS RT-AX88U and then use that for all the internal networking?

[jamesn123]

@DannyZ 

These are the screenshots I've uploaded before to help others.

If you have any other questions or get stuck just let me know

[DannyZ]

I think I might end up just running the TP-Link TD-W9970 on its own as I only need 4 lan ports which it has...

Rather than using it as a modem only and using the asus too...

If that's possible?

[jamesn123]

@DannyZ 

The TP-Link TD-W9970 is a basic modem router combo thats only recommended if you are going to be using it as a modem only. Using it as a router is a bad idea as its outdated tech in everyway especially its WiFi capabilities. 

[DannyZ]

@jamesn123Hey buddy, I just bought the RT-AX82U as it was a lot cheaper than the one you suggested and still has wifi 6...

Can I not just run the cable from the wall directly into that and not use the other one in modem only mode or do I need to use both?

[jamesn123]

@DannyZ 

From what I can tell you are on FTTC which terminates a BT/Openreach socket on your wall. If thats the case I dont think the router you have has a modem built in so it cant accept the RJ11 connection from the wall, it would have to go through the TP-Link modem we mentioned before.

[DannyZ]

@jamesn123Hey mate, I've copied exactly what you said but I'm getting " Internet status: Your ISP's DHCP does not function properly."

Connecting direct to the modem with my logins (not in bridge mode) works fine, get on the net fine

I have the wall going to the modem, and lan port 1 to lan port 1 on the asus...

Also my admin sections look completely different to yours... Any ideas?

[DannyZ]

@jamesn123Ignore the authentication, was just messing with settings...

Can't get anything to work through the asus, but works through just the modem